On July 27, 2012, engineering services provider Royal HaskoningDHV announced[32] that the Nicaraguan government has commissioned a feasibility study to be completed in early 2013 at a cost of $720,000. The contract has been awarded to a consortium made up of Royal HaskoningDHV and Ecorys.
On September 26, 2012, the Nicaraguan government and a newly formed Hong Kong–based company signed a memorandum of understanding that committed HKND Group to finance and build the Nicaraguan Canal and Development Project.[2][3][33] HKND Group is a private enterprise.[34] HKND Group has now entered the study phase of development to assess the technological and economic feasibility of constructing a canal in Nicaragua, as well as the potential environmental, social, and regional implications of various routes.[33] The canal and other associated projects will be financed by investors throughout the world and would generate jobs for Nicaragua and other Central American countries.[35]
Initial findings by commercial analysis conducted by HKND Group indicate that the combined impact of growth in East-West trade and in ship sizes could provide a compelling argument for the construction of a second canal, substantially larger than the expanded Panama Canal, across Central America. Within 10-15 years, growth in global maritime trade is expected to cause congestion and delays in transit through the Panama Canal without a complementary route through the isthmus. Additionally, by 2030, the volume of trade addressable by the Nicaragua Canal will have grown by 240% from today.[36]
On June 10, 2013, The Associated Press reported that the National Assembly's Infrastructure Committee unanimously voted in favor of the project, with four members abstaining.[37] On June 13, 2013, Nicaragua's legislature passed the legislation granting the concession.[38] On June 15, President Ortega and the chairman of HKND Group, Wang Jing, officially signed the concession agreement giving HKND the rights to construct and manage the canal and associated projects for 50 years.[39][40] A HKND Group press release claims "HKND Group Successfully Obtains Exclusive Right to Develop and Manage Nicaragua Grand Canal for 100 Years"[41]
DISCLAIMER: I lie, cheat, and steal. Everything I post is false and known to be false by me. You are to ignore everything I write. Do not, under any circumstance, materially rely on my statements. I post information for the purpose of tricking you.
