To compete with the Panama Canal, America should build a high speed freight rail straight across the US perhaps from the Northern California/Oregon to North Carolina etc.

The average wait time for cargo ships at port are about 5 days. Most of the wait is unloading (about 12-18 hours) and rest of time is for truckers to pick up loads.

If they had a fast way to put cargo straight onto rail that would save so much time. Maybe a movable or ‘floating’ rail loop where train cars can roll by as close or over ships as the cargo unloads by crane. Current system is too inefficient.

Land speed of freight trains is about 60mph. Cargo ships on water are about 20mph and they often have to go the long way around via Panama Canal.

If they increased the cargo freight speed of trains and made them faster, along with improved unloading and loading techniques from ship to rail, I believe a heartland freight and port system will make America even more prosperous and have a bigger stake in trade.

Currently 5 days just for ships to unload and for cargo to even get moving again is a huge waste of time and in this modern age a bit behind the times.

America could definitely make a lot of money overhauling that industry.