Blackrock make deal for Panama's Ports

BlackRock Strikes Deal for Panama Ports After U.S. Pressure

$22.8 billion acquisition from Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison includes dozens of other ports across the globe

A consortium of investors led by BlackRock agreed to buy majority stakes in ports on either end of the Panama Canal, putting U.S. firms in control of two ports that President Trump raised as a security concern because of their connection to china.

“China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” said Trump during his inaugural address. At a January press conference ahead of his inauguration, Trump would not rule out using either military force or economic coercion to take control of the canal once again.

The deal announced Tuesday called for BlackRock and a consortium of fellow investors to spend $22.8 billion to buy the ports of Balboa and Cristobal on either end of the canal from CK Hutchison, a Hong Kong company. It said the deal is an “agreement in principle.”

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China building megaport in Peru

China's Megaport in Peru Alarms US Officials

according to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. is concerned about the potential for China to use the port for military purposes

"China is building a $3.5 billion megaport in Peru that could speed trade between Asia and South America and provide Beijing with an economic foothold in the region, historically dominated by the U.S., the Wall Street Journal reported.

The project, backed by Hong Kong-based Cosco Shipping Ports, also has raised concerns among U.S. officials about national security implications.

"This changes the game," said Eric Farnsworth, a former high-ranking State Department diplomat who now leads the Washington office of the Council of the Americas think tank. "It really platforms China in a major new way in South America as the gateway to global markets. It is not just a commercial issue at that point, it is a strategic issue."

The port will be the first on South America's Pacific coast able to receive megaships and is 4,500 miles from San Francisco, or on America's "20-yard-line," said Gen. Laura Richardson, head of the U.S. Southern Command."

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Russia striking Ukrainian Infrastructure and Grain Facilities

Russian drone strikes target Odesa grain stores near Romania border

as Kremlin threatens WW3 again by veering dangerously close to NATO member

Russia left the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July and has upped its drone strikes.

Russian drones struck grain storage facilities and port infrastructure in southwestern Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian military has reported.

Six Iran-made Shaded drones swarmed an oil depot in Izmail, Odesa region, starting a fire at the industrial and port facilities which transport crucial grain exports.

After leaving a deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain to world markets through the city of Odesa, near Moldova, Russia has hammered Black Sea ports with strikes.

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Florida Port Officials heading for California to drum up business

Florida ports ready and eager for more cargo to relieve national supply problems

Florida port officials will head to California this month to push for more cargo ships to come to Florida to help ease global supply-chain issues.

Members of the Florida Ports Council said they have already seen the state’s ports take in more business since they increased efforts in October to capitalize on congestion at the ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif. They said a trip to California during the last week of February to a major shipping conference known as TPM22 will be used to further “beat that drum.”

The Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council estimated waterborne trade at the state’s seaports fell 16.1 percent in 2020 due to the pandemic, a $14.1 billion hit.

“We’re going to put ourselves front and center into the battleground,” said Jonathan Daniels, chief executive and port director at Port Everglades and chairman of the Florida Ports Council, said during a “State of Seaports” address last week at the Capitol.

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DeSantis saving Christmas?

DeSantis Claus: Florida Ports Report Record Volumes As Governor Vows To Save Christmas

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Florida ports have reported record volume in 2021 even as supply chain shortages flourish under the Biden administration. The news comes as Governor Ron DeSantis has vowed to do everything he can to save Christmas during the crisis.

Here are a couple of the reports:

The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) reported handling an all-time record volume in 2021, processing more than 1.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units during the year. The number marks a 10% increase from 2020.

 Port Manatee announced similar success.
“Despite dealing with supply chain issues that are plaguing the country, Port Manatee has broken a record for imports with increased production” [streetwisepolitics]