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Honduras Tren Interoceánico

Honduras: Historic Interoceanic Train Project

Soledad Quartucci

Honduras: Historic Interoceanic Train Project

The government of Honduras seeks to make the construction of the interoceanic train a reality, connecting the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic.

Countries that have shown interest in this ambitious project include China, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, and the United States, reports Gabriela Melara for Revista E&N.

Honduras Proposes Historic Interoceanic Railway Project

The Honduran government is proposing the construction of an interoceanic railway to interested countries, aiming to connect the Pacific coast with the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic. The construction period is expected to exceed 10 years.

This mega-project has been discussed for over a century by successive governments, yet no positive outcomes have materialized to connect the country with the world’s major economies, owing to Honduras’ strategic geographical location, reported Juan Ortiz for Poder Popular in July 2023.

With this endeavor, Honduras would become strategically significant, facilitating the flow of goods across the territory and fostering an investment-friendly environment.

The construction of this interoceanic railway would link a mega-port in Amapala with another in the Puerto Castilla region of the Colón department in one phase.

Additionally, it includes a connection from the southern zone to Puerto Cortés via the Dry Canal and railway lines that will also link with Puerto Castilla.

Historical Background of the Mega-Project

The construction of this interoceanic railway in Honduras dates back to the period of 1852-1855 when then-President José Trinidad Cabañas envisioned preliminary arrangements for this mega-project.

Previous administrations had engaged with some countries, but the relevant processes were never completed.

Advantages of the Construction

The advantages of the interoceanic railway in Honduras stem from the country’s geographical position and the scale of trade in the region, requiring global investment with present and future technological advancements and “a stronger dimension compared to the Panama Canal,” states Poder Popular.

This commercial importance lies at the heart of the Americas, featuring two deep-water sites for docking large-scale vessels.

The Honduran Government aims to solidify the country’s position in global trade and attract foreign investments to stimulate and strengthen the national economy, leading to substantial transformations and job creation.

According to Poder Popular, the construction project will significantly improve transportation flow as a considerable amount of investment has been directed towards repairing deteriorating roads spanning from the southern regions to the northern coast of Honduras.

The construction of this railway will span approximately 600 kilometers from Amapala to the northern zone of the country, specifically to the Port of Castilla. It will feature two large ports, with a storage capacity of 60,000 containers in the southern zone.

Honduras Seeks to become a Developed Country

The aim of this project is for Honduras to become a developed country, providing logistic services for goods and scientific development.

The proposed interoceanic railway offers an alternative for transporting goods between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, through an efficient and reliable new route for regional trade.

Poder Popular describes Amapala as the site of the first mega-port, connecting with the Caribbean Sea via a railway line that will bring investment to the southern region of the country.

Puerto Castilla will host the second mega-port, connecting vessels from the southern region of the country to countries in the Americas, thanks to the depth of its waters.

The Dry Canal will be part of the interoceanic railway construction project, connecting the two coasts of Honduras.

Strategic Discussions

As part of strategic discussions on the project, on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, the Honduran government received a delegation from the United States, to whom it presented the project.

The meeting was convened between the US delegation and the recently established Comisión Nacional del Ferrocarril Interoceánico, which has been entrusted with the project’s implementation.

 

 

Honduras Proposes Historic Project for Interoceanic Train. Image Credit: Poder Popular, Honduras.

 

 

Comisión Nacional del Ferrocarril Interoceánico

Led by Hector Zelaya the presidential commission will be responsible for obtaining financing, permits, and necessary public authorizations, including carrying out construction designs, executing construction and operation along with the management of the interoceanic train.

 

 

 

 

The group will be comprised of heads of other State Secretariats, as outlined in the executive decree that established the National Commission for the Construction of the Interoceanic Railway, reports El Heraldo.

The heads of the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Honduran Social Investment Fund (FHIS), and Ministry of Finance are part of the commission which will function as a decentralized entity attached to the Presidency of the Republic.

 

 

 

 

The concept of Honduras’ interoceanic railway represents a railway line with different models of railway machines that would swiftly traverse the territory.

It is expected to serve as a passage for freighters with a capacity exceeding 300,000 tons, as well as the passage of 10,000 containers within 24 hours.

U.S. Commission Foresees Interoceanic Railway Project as Key for Job Creation

In an exclusive interview with LA TRIBUNA, Eric Jacobstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, shared his optimism regarding the Interoceanic Railway project. He emphasized its potential to significantly impact job creation and providing employment opportunities.

Jacobstein underscored the project’s importance to both the government and the private sector, highlighting its potential to stimulate job growth.

Crucially, Jacobstein noted the collaborative nature of the project, involving both government and private sector entities. This partnership, he emphasized, is integral to its success.

Regarding investment prospects in Honduras, Jacobstein expressed optimism, emphasizing the United States’ commitment to supporting a prosperous and secure Honduras. He reiterated the government’s support for democratic efforts across all sectors.

In line with the Biden-Harris administration’s Central America strategy, Jacobstein highlighted governance, civil society support, and human rights as focal points. He stressed the importance of protecting civil liberties and ensuring inclusive opportunities within Honduras to deter unsafe migration.

Jacobstein affirmed that the Interoceanic Railway project represents more than just infrastructure development—it symbolizes a joint effort towards economic prosperity and social advancement for Honduras.

Japan-Honduras

One of the countries that has shown interest in participating in the interoceanic train project is Japan.

Jun Nakahara, Japanese Ambassador to Honduras, revealed that Japan would support the construction of the railway network and bridges, but it is a project that several countries must support, he said on October 29, 2023, during an interview with La Prensa.

In an interview with La Prensa, the Japanese ambassador revealed the details of his participation in the mega-project, which has also sparked the interest of other nations.

Japan-Honduras: Infrastructure

“Japan and Honduras have had a friendship for 88 years, which has been very good during this journey, and looking ahead to 2025 when we commemorate the 90 years of the relationship, we hope to further strengthen this relationship,” said the Japanese ambassador during the interview.

Honduras has established that Japan is one of the interested parties in financing the interoceanic train project.

Infrastructure is one of the priority areas of Japan’s cooperation in Honduras.

“In my case, I am a specialist in the area of infrastructure, and I consider this project to be very important for Honduras. It has a lot of development potential, not only for Honduras. The Panama Canal is reaching its maximum capacity, so building an alternative route is important for international trade,” said the ambassador.

Responding to the question about his opinion on the project, the ambassador replied, “This is a very large project that consists of port development, as well as bridge construction and the development of a railway network; we consider Japan to be a global leader, so we would be very pleased to support with this knowledge and financially, if possible.”

Regarding dialogue with other countries for project financing, the ambassador emphasized,

“We have held discussions with the United States, South Korea, and Spain. It is a project of great magnitude where I estimate the cost exceeds 10 billion dollars, and I do not think it is possible with the cooperation of a single country, so it is very important to create alliances between governments and the government of Honduras.”

 

Soledad Quartucci | CEO/Founder, Latina Republic

Latina Republic is dedicated to promoting regional understanding through compelling narratives, articles, interviews, and reports that emanate from the heart of the Americas. Our foremost goal is to facilitate constructive dialogue by illuminating local viewpoints frequently overshadowed by mainstream media. Our mission is to equip all stakeholders with essential insights for addressing regional issues, thus empowering them in their efforts. We are committed to portraying the victories and hardships of everyday life in Latin America, while also chronicling the progression of social movements and amplifying the voices of those at the forefront of change.

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