Over a century ago, Nicaragua lost its initial competition with Panama to be chosen as the location for a canal that would connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, dramatically changing global sea-lanes and supply chains. But Nicaragua's luck could be about to change . In July 2012, the Nicaraguan government established the Nicaraguan Grand Interoceanic Canal Authority, and in June 2013 the National Assembly granted Hong Kong-based HKND a 50-year concession, giving the firm exclusive rights to plan, design, construct and operate the canal. An ambitious schedule set the project's completion for 2019 and the commencement of operations for 2020. Nicaraguan officials report that construction of access roads began in December, but a number of obstacles, including a possible lack of funding and potential pushback from the Nicaraguan community, could jeopardize the entire project.