AI supplies: US seeks Panama Canal fast-track pilot

The US State Department said on Wednesday it was seeking bids for a program to speed up transport of artificial intelligence infrastructure components, beginning with a pilot in Panama.

The proposed platform would work as a digital passport for electronic components, certifying the origin and route of each shipment moving through the Panama Canal so shipments considered reliable can receive faster customs clearance.

The State Department said it was seeking to work with Congress to commit $50 million to the program. If the Panama pilot succeeds, it could expand to other partner countries under the US-led Pax Silica initiative.

The request for proposals did not mention Beijing, but the State Department described the planned platform as an alternative to logistics systems of “strategic competitors” that it said could be used for “economic coercion.”

Washington has restricted exports of the most advanced semiconductors to China for several years and has sought to prevent third countries from being used to bypass those restrictions.

Pax Silica was launched last year by the State Department to secure supply chains for semiconductors and other advanced technology components. The pact has 24 signatories, including the European Union, Japan, India, Panama and Singapore.