Alternative to Panama Canal (WSJ)

[mvweebles]

Mexico is building a railroad across the 200 mile isthmus of Tehuantepec as an alternative to the Panama Canal. The Canal is over 1200 nms south so the time and distance savings for a cruising boat wanting to traverse coastal is significant, especially since it cuts off a big chunk of the Caribbean Sea run north from the Canal.

WSJ video - unfortunately behind a paywall. BTW - can often find a WSJ digital subscription for $1/week which, in my opinion, is the best value in journalism.

https://www.wsj.com/video/series/breaking-ground/mexico-is-building-a-75-billion-trade-route-to-compete-with-panama-canal/B9342697-6F40-43EE-84A3-945F6EF914E0?st=semHvS

It's years away but something to keep an eye out for. There is already passenger train service on a very limited basis.

Fingers crossed something works out for boats.....

Peter

 

[CharlieO.]

I hope it works out, I have no desire to do the Panama Canal, but crossing Mexico via rail if I wanted to go east to west coast Mexico might be more appealing.

 

[kthoennes]

Huh, that would be a significant development. Like Canada's Big Chute Railway 200 miles long. I know as they have chronic water level problems in the Panama Canal that could take a lot of the pressure off for container ships and smaller vessels (like recreational). Although when you read this it looks unlikely it'll carry recreational boats: Passenger operations begin on Isthmus of Tehuantepec railway