The Chinese operate too many facilities that could help shut down the Canal in minutes
The tragedy of handing over the Canal is the hole we have to climb out of - but an even worse tragedy and deeper hole is the failure of America to follow the terms of the enduring Panama Canal Neutrality Treaty in which the U.S. played a role in operations, security, and neutrality of the Zone.
Here are several pictorials that show the primary security concern. The Pacific (or south end of the Canal, which really runs North to South) is a very tightly constrained approach to the New and Old locks which raise the ships to the fresh water levels for transit across the Isthmus.
Modern, Extra Large Container ships are becoming enormous. The Canal can take a ship up to 1,215 feet long, 168 feet in beam, and 50 foot draft. The choke point for the approach and departure from the Pacific Locks is less than 1,000 feet wide.
One ship malfunctioning, capsizing, or if one of the container cranes at the Chinese port falls over, the Canal could be blocked for weeks or months which takes 50% of the U.S. Navy off the table for any contingency in the Western Pacific.
Here are two maps, followed by three pictures that give the situation.
Here is the Center of Gravity.
1,000 feet for freedom and the sursvival of the American Republic - the size of the chokepoint.
Closer in look. The fate of the Republic hinges upon that 1,000 foot chokepoint.
Next are two pictures looking at the Hutchinson Port. I took these while in Panama with Ann Vandersteel and Michael Yon. We have no idea what is going on within the fenceline of this facility. Warehouses at a port are always a great place to hide things.
Here is a Reuter’s picture showing the Hutchinson operated port (in the foreground is the Singapore operated port). One of these ships turned sideways or capsizing would block the choke point and shut down the Canal for weeks or months.
Here’s what the new, Fourth Bridge over the Canal will look like. The historic Bridge of the Americas is in the background. Not a single American Civil Engineering firm responded to the request for bids from the Panamanian Government.
Let’s hope Secretary Hegseth helps move the ball on this issue during his trip.
