Understanding the economic, environmental and energy consequences of the Panama Canal expansion on Midwest grain and agricultural exports.

PDFTech ReportCFIRE 03-18DTRT06-G-0020Maritime industryCanalsCanal lock operationsInteroceanic canalsStakeholdersGreenhouse gasesEnvironmental impactsEnergy consumptionEconomic impactsIntermodal transportationExportsPanamaNational Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Education (U.S.)Baird, TimBittner, JasonGollnik, RobertGardner, SpencerNational Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Education (U.S.)United States. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Innovative Technology AdministrationNTL-ECONOMICS AND FINANCE-Economic ImpactsNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Environment ImpactsNTL-FREIGHT-IntermodalismNTL-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATION-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATIONUS Transportation CollectionThe Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is currently building a third lock scheduled to open in 2014, significantly changing the capacity of thecanal for inter-ocean movements. Midwest specialty grain and agricultural product exporters will be directly affected as all-water routesare improved and landbridge requirements reduced. The study assesses the expectations of public and private sector stakeholders,analyzes possible changes in greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, and examines potential economic impacts theexpansion may cause in these commodity sectors. Findings suggest that the canal expansion may decrease transit times, incentivizeexport to Asia via Gulf Cost ports and containerized modes, increase greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, and adiminished competitive position for the US West Coast - intermodal route