A vote, a plan, a canal, Panama - Waterway's fate rests on October referendum

摘要

Since it opened 92 years ago, the Panama Canal has been a key link in the global shipping chain. From improved trip times to lowered costs, its effects on the flow of east-west commerce have been immeasurable. But age is catching up, and the passage is a little rusty these days. The canal is not big enough to handle many of today's ships, and growing global freight traffic is pushing it dangerously close to capacity. Without improvements, experts expect it to become seriously clogged within five years.