Latest news with #CanalAuthority
UPI
03-07-2025
- Business
- UPI
Panama president seeks support for vital Río Indio water project
July 3 (UPI) -- Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino urged member nations at the Mercosur Summit in Buenos Aires, to back the Río Indio project, a critical infrastructure effort to secure water supplies for the Panama Canal amid mounting climate change pressures. "I need the support not only of the users, but also of the international community, so this project, led by the Canal Authority, can succeed and move forward as quickly as possible," Mulino said Tuesday. Mercosur, short for Mercado Común del Sur, is a South American trade bloc formed in 1991 by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, whose main goal is to promote free trade and economic integration among member countries. The request followed similar appeals made days earlier during Mulino's official visit to Seville, where he discussed the project with Spain's King Felipe VI, emphasizing the urgency of building a reservoir to safeguard the canal's long-term sustainability. On the same trip, he also raised the issue with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, noting that the project would benefit not only Panama, but also other canal users, including Chile and Ecuador. "The Canal is neutral, but its sustainability is a shared responsibility," Mulino said. The Río Indio project calls for building a multipurpose reservoir in central Panama, in the basin of the river of the same name. The reservoir would hold up to 55.7 billion cubic feet of water and flood an estimated 17.4 square miles. The plan includes a roughly 5-mile transfer tunnel to Gatún Lake, one of the Panama Canal's main water sources. The Panama Canal Authority says the reservoir would add 42.4 billion square feet of reliable water annually -- enough to support about 15 additional daily transits and bolster operations during prolonged droughts. The project carries an estimated cost of $1.6 billion, with at least $400 million allocated for social compensation, community resettlement and environmental mitigation. Mulino's international strategy seeks not just financial and diplomatic backing, but symbolic support, as well. In his remarks in Buenos Aires, Mulino referred to a January statement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he intended to "take back control" of the Panama Canal. Mulino thanked the international community for its support, saying, "The canal is and will remain Panama's -- a national asset that took 100 years to reclaim." As climate change intensifies, Panama faces the challenge of balancing national and international water demands with the rights and livelihoods of rural communities. The Río Indio project has sparked strong opposition from local farmers and social organizations. In May, more than 400 people held a symbolic protest, paddling canoes down the river in defense of their land and way of life. The canal authority has pledged a process that is "orderly, fair and transparent," and said no family will be relocated without prior consultation.
Metro
25-06-2025
- General
- Metro
Moment cargo ship crashes into Suez Canal port as workers flee
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A cargo ship suffering from 'sudden steering failure' careened into a busy port on the Suez Canal, forcing workers to jump out of the way in time. The Liberian-flagged RED ZED boat, which was heading towards Sudan, lost control, sending the 700-foot vessel into the fortified port walls. Video footage taken from the shore showed the ship crashing into the walls, sending water splashing over the concrete as port workers ran away. The accident happened near the Al Quantara Ferry Terminal in Egypt, on the northeast side of the canal. The Canal Authority later confirmed the boat was close to crashing into the busy ferry docks, but narrowly missed them, avoiding widespread damage. The crew were to thank for the lack of damage, managing to steer the ship away from the dock. The Canal Authority said: 'The incident did not result in any human losses or injuries, and the crisis was fully managed in a record time of 60 minutes.' Three tugboats helped pull the ship away from the shoreline as the crew began vital repair works on the steering mechanisms. Luckily, navigation in the vital canal was unharmed, meaning other ships could pass through the busy waterway with ease. In 2021, a ship travelling through the canal became jammed for six days, causing mass delays to world trade. The 1,300-foot ship, which carries cargo between Asia and Europe, was heading for Rotterdam when it got wedged into the sandy bank of a narrow section of the canal. The Suez Canal is 120 miles long, which is the equivalent of 193km, and acts as a vital shipping link between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. More Trending The Suez Canal opened for navigation on November 17, 1869, after centuries of attempts to build a canal to connect the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea via the branches of the River Nile. Almost 100 ships pass through the canal each day, cutting shipping times by a great deal thanks to the shortcut. The main goods which pass through are oil, gas, and container ships, carrying large amounts of trade from east to west, and vice versa. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Is it safe to travel to Egypt? Latest Foreign Office tourist advice after Iran strikes US airbase MORE: Is it safe to travel to Egypt? Latest Foreign Office tourist advice as Israel and Iran trade attacks MORE: Scientists who say there's a 'secret city' under Giza pyramid have now 'found a second one'
Fox News
10-04-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth touts 'historic' deals to deter 'Chinese influence' in Panama Canal
The Trump administration announced major moves in the Panama Canal this week, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth explaining Thursday that the deals are a means of serving American interests and working to "stop the sphere of Chinese influence." The Panama Canal Authority confirmed in a press release Wednesday that Panama's minister for canal affairs and Hegseth signed a joint declaration that reaffirms Panamanian sovereignty and outlines new military cooperation. "We're going to invest in ways that serve American interests in our backyard as we stop the sphere of Chinese influence," Hegseth said Thursday on "The Will Cain Show." The deal "reaffirms respect for, and the recognition of, Panamanian sovereignty over the interoceanic waterway," the Canal Authority stated. It upholds both nations' commitment to the Neutrality Treaty and the legal framework that governs canal operations, including Panama's Constitution, the treaty itself and the Canal's Organic Law. The declaration laid out plans for a cost-sharing model to cover services provided to U.S. warships and auxiliary vessels, with the goal of keeping it "cost-neutral." "It's in our direct U.S. interest to ensure that waterway is free and that our ships can transit freely. So, it was two historic arrangements that serve American interests, and it would never have happened without President Trump," Hegseth said. Hegseth said a broader framework is in the works, one that would guarantee U.S. warships "first and free" passage through the Panama Canal. He announced Wednesday that U.S. and Panamanian officials had already signed a memorandum of understanding, and that a final document is on the way to formally secure toll-free priority for American naval vessels. The defense secretary added on "The Will Cain Show" that the deal "codifies first, and it codifies a cost-neutral basis where we're able to freely transit, and it saves our Treasury money," noting the arrangement has an "economic upside" on top of the "strategic" interests. Earlier this week, Hegseth visited U.S. troops, met with Panamanian officials and toured the canal. He warned that China's reach in the Western Hemisphere is already too big, and still growing. "What I saw down in Panama was not just about a canal," Hegseth told Fox News host Will Cain. "Of course, the canal is very important and everything that goes through there. It was a tug-of-war with the communist Chinese." The administration's arrangements with Panama come amid rising temperatures between the United States and China, largely spurred on by an escalating trade war. As of Thursday, the White House said it had imposed 145% in new tariffs on China, up from the 125% Trump announced the day before. While hiking rates on China, Trump said he would reduce tariffs on other countries that did not retaliate against the United States to his baseline of 10%. The tariff tit-for-tat has been ongoing since Trump announced his "Liberation Day" tariffs last week, but Hegseth said the trade war does not have to "lead to conflict, and I really hope it doesn't." "President Trump has a great relationship with Xi Jinping. They speak often. There's a mutual respect, and I think, ultimately, what President Trump wants to do is reestablish American manufacturing and not be taken advantage of," Hegseth said.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Panama and US lock in new security pact for Canal as China tensions simmer
The United States and Panama have officially signed a new defense and security pact aimed at reinforcing control over the Panama Canal, a move that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claims is critical to pushing back against China's growing grip in the region. In a press release posted Wednesday night on X, the Panama Canal Authority confirmed that Panama's Minister for Canal Affairs and Hegseth signed a joint declaration that reaffirms Panamanian sovereignty and outlines new military cooperation. The deal "reaffirms respect for, and the recognition of, Panamanian sovereignty over the interoceanic waterway," the Canal Authority stated. It also upholds both nations' commitment to the Neutrality Treaty and the legal framework that governs canal operations, including Panama's Constitution, the treaty itself, and the Canal's Organic Law.Hegseth Says Panama Agreed To Allow Us Warships To Travel 'First And Free' Through Canal But the declaration goes beyond words. It lays out plans for a cost-sharing model to cover services provided to U.S. warships and auxiliary vessels, with the goal of keeping it "cost-neutral." "Efforts will be made [to] develop a mechanism which will allow compensation for services provided to warships and auxiliary vessels, seeking a cost-neutral basis," the statement reads. "This mechanism will be evaluated jointly with the Ministry of Security of Panama." According to Hegseth, a broader framework is also in the works, one that would guarantee U.S. warships "first and free" passage through the Panama Canal. Read On The Fox News App Hegseth announced Wednesday that U.S. and Panamanian officials had already signed a memorandum of understanding, and that a final document is on the way to formally secure toll-free priority for American naval vessels. The Canal Authority, meanwhile, emphasized that this agreement is just the start. "The declaration constitutes a first step in establishing this model, which will be developed in later stages." Us, Panama 'Taking Back' Canal From 'China's Influence,' Says Hegseth While the U.S. builds up its military coordination, the Panama Canal Authority confirmed that collaboration already includes "engineering, security, and cybersecurity," key focus areas for both governments as they push back against foreign interference. The move comes just as the U.S. prepares to deploy the USNS Comfort, a Navy hospital ship, to the region in a show of presence and partnership. Earlier this week, Hegseth visited U.S. troops, met with Panamanian officials, and toured the canal. He warned sharply that China's reach in the Western Hemisphere is already too big, and still growing. "Make no mistake, Beijing is investing and operating in this region for military advantage and unfair economic gain," Hegseth said. "They operate military facilities and ground stations that extend their reach into space. They exploit natural resources and land to fuel China's global military ambitions. China's factory fishing fleets are stealing food from our nations and from our people." Hegseth stressed that war is not the objective. "Together, we must prevent war by robustly and vigorously deterring China's threats in this hemisphere," he said. He also made clear that the U.S. is taking steps to counter Chinese-controlled infrastructure in Panama. "China-based companies continue to control critical infrastructure in the canal area," Hegseth said. "That gives China the potential to conduct surveillance activities across Panama. This makes Panama and the United States less secure, less prosperous and less sovereign. And as President Donald Trump has pointed out, that situation is not acceptable." Hegseth was blunt: "The United States will not allow China to threaten the canal's operation." He added, "To this end, the United States and Panama have done more in recent weeks to strengthen our defense and security cooperation than we have in decades." Despite the growing military and political coordination, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has publicly denied that China controls the canal. Hegseth did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for News' Morgan Philips contributed to this article source: Panama and US lock in new security pact for Canal as China tensions simmer
Fox News
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Panama and US lock in new security pact for Canal as China tensions simmer
The United States and Panama have officially signed a new defense and security pact aimed at reinforcing control over the Panama Canal, a move that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claims is critical to pushing back against China's growing grip in the region. In a press release posted Wednesday night on X, the Panama Canal Authority confirmed that Panama's Minister for Canal Affairs and Hegseth signed a joint declaration that reaffirms Panamanian sovereignty and outlines new military cooperation. The deal "reaffirms respect for, and the recognition of, Panamanian sovereignty over the interoceanic waterway," the Canal Authority stated. It also upholds both nations' commitment to the Neutrality Treaty and the legal framework that governs canal operations, including Panama's Constitution, the treaty itself, and the Canal's Organic Law.HEGSETH SAYS PANAMA AGREED TO ALLOW US WARSHIPS TO TRAVEL 'FIRST AND FREE' THROUGH CANAL But the declaration goes beyond words. It lays out plans for a cost-sharing model to cover services provided to U.S. warships and auxiliary vessels, with the goal of keeping it "cost-neutral." "Efforts will be made [to] develop a mechanism which will allow compensation for services provided to warships and auxiliary vessels, seeking a cost-neutral basis," the statement reads. "This mechanism will be evaluated jointly with the Ministry of Security of Panama." According to Hegseth, a broader framework is also in the works, one that would guarantee U.S. warships "first and free" passage through the Panama Canal. Hegseth announced Wednesday that U.S. and Panamanian officials had already signed a memorandum of understanding, and that a final document is on the way to formally secure toll-free priority for American naval vessels. The Canal Authority, meanwhile, emphasized that this agreement is just the start. "The declaration constitutes a first step in establishing this model, which will be developed in later stages." While the U.S. builds up its military coordination, the Panama Canal Authority confirmed that collaboration already includes "engineering, security, and cybersecurity," key focus areas for both governments as they push back against foreign interference. The move comes just as the U.S. prepares to deploy the USNS Comfort, a Navy hospital ship, to the region in a show of presence and partnership. Earlier this week, Hegseth visited U.S. troops, met with Panamanian officials, and toured the canal. He warned sharply that China's reach in the Western Hemisphere is already too big, and still growing. "Make no mistake, Beijing is investing and operating in this region for military advantage and unfair economic gain," Hegseth said. "They operate military facilities and ground stations that extend their reach into space. They exploit natural resources and land to fuel China's global military ambitions. China's factory fishing fleets are stealing food from our nations and from our people." Hegseth stressed that war is not the objective. "Together, we must prevent war by robustly and vigorously deterring China's threats in this hemisphere," he said. He also made clear that the U.S. is taking steps to counter Chinese-controlled infrastructure in Panama. "China-based companies continue to control critical infrastructure in the canal area," Hegseth said. "That gives China the potential to conduct surveillance activities across Panama. This makes Panama and the United States less secure, less prosperous and less sovereign. And as President Donald Trump has pointed out, that situation is not acceptable." Hegseth was blunt: "The United States will not allow China to threaten the canal's operation." He added, "To this end, the United States and Panama have done more in recent weeks to strengthen our defense and security cooperation than we have in decades." Despite the growing military and political coordination, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has publicly denied that China controls the canal. "I completely reject that statement," Mulino said, pushing back on earlier claims from the U.S. State Department that a deal had already been reached guaranteeing toll-free passage for U.S. warships. The Canal Authority added that it has "not made any adjustments" to its fee HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
