Opening of the Western Canal
The Western Canal was opened on the 3rd of February, 2021. It was immediately entered as one of the four wonders of the server and connected the Western and Southern seas, two of the three oceans.
Pre-canal Context
Prior to the canal, the Southern Sea was a hotbed of activity but the Western Sea remained a new frontier. While some settlements had begun, such as the CPCS, the majority of the territory was de jure claimed by states such as the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe but with little de jure control.
Opening
The first ship to pass through the canal was ENS Ba Sing Se, a Kirov that had been found in Earth Kingdom territory on the west coast. It had been waiting patiently to move through the canal since before the site had been decided upon. Due to the policy of the Earth Navy that opposed wooden ships being considered part of the main fleet, the ship was soon demoted to army service; rendered into a stationary beach fort with orders to scuttle if an enemy appeared to attempt a crossing; and then sold to Andorra, where it was renamed the Andorra.
Official EK policy of the canal today is that all ships are permitted passage, but must be unarmed. Any attempt to move armed ships through the canal will therefore be interpreted as an act of war. This policy does not apply to armed Earth Kingdom or Andorran ships, who may move through the canal at all times.
Wartime closures
The Earth Kingdom is a signatory to the Open Seas Treaty, which permits the Earth Kingdom to close the canal with proper justification. Other than training purposes, this has only happened once during the Mexican War. Notably, the canal has never been closed during the Frisian Civil War.