Nicaragua Canal Project

planned

The Nicaragua Canal project is an ambitious infrastructure initiative to build an interoceanic canal connecting the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, rivaling the Panama Canal. The project was initially granted as a 100-year concession to Chinese billionaire Wang Jing in 2013 but failed due to financial collapse and lack of progress. In 2024, the concession was revoked and a new project was presented with a redesigned route, a new Chinese state-owned partner (CAMC Engineering), and an estimated cost of $64.5 billion. The new route avoids Lake Nicaragua, connects Bluefields to Corinto over approximately 445 kilometers, and includes infrastructure for large vessels. Initial contracts for port construction have been signed, but the canal construction awaits feasibility studies and financing.