|  | (Source: Royal Geographical Society) |
| Seas and oceans cover 70% of the planet. They represent the artery of globalization and host many resources. But they are also a mean of power. There are many tensions and challenges around their safety and control. This pressure states to develop and maintain strong naval power. Let's dive into this subject. | Economic stakes | Global Trade. For centuries, seas and oceans allowed trade between states and continents. Today, about 90% of global trades in volume transits through them. Each year, there are more than 12 billion tons sailing aboard 60 000 ships. The main products shipped include hydrocarbons, minerals, cereals, and manufactured goods. There are 5 big actors of maritime transport: | Maersk (Denmark) MSC (Switzerland) CMA-CGM (France) COSCO (China) Hapag-Lloyd (Germany).
| Undersea cables. These are long fiber-optic wires that lie on the ocean floor. They carry data between continents. They are the backbone of the internet, sending almost all global communication and online traffic. Although satellites can also send data, undersea cables are faster and can carry much more information. There are more than 550 cables in the world. Five American companies control more than 80% of the traffic. These are Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Telecom Italia Sparkle. | But tensions and risks also come with these cables. Their importance makes them vulnerable to sabotage, spying, and accidentals ruptures. | Resources. There are many resources below the surface. One of them is fishery. This resource is used for food, especially in Asia. But it is also used in other products such as fertilizers and cosmetics. There are also some energy resources. Subsea hydrocarbon fields represent 30% of the oil and 27% of the natural gas exploited in the world. Energy resources also include marine and submarine wind turbines. They generate energy thanks to winds and currents. Finally, there are mineral resources. These include sand, salt, heavy minerals (rare-earth elements, zinc, iron, titanium, etc.). | | | | Security challenges | Tensions between states. Because seas and oceans harbor great opportunities and resources, they create tensions. There are currently about 275 disputed cases across the globe. Below is a chart with the most sensitive issues. | | Non-state actors' threats. Some actors cause threat on maritime routes and disrupt shipping. These actors include pirates and terrorist groups. Pirates are mostly present in Southeast Asia and Africa. They commit robbery and hostage takings. Joint operations have been launched to ensure freedom of navigation and escorts for shipping companies. Although piracy decreased, it is still a source of concern. | But pirates are not the only ones. Some terrorist groups in strategic places use their power of nuisance as a mean of influence. For example, the Houthis often threaten the Mandeb Strait, a strategic hotspot. They already attacked ships there, in response to Israel and the U.S. strikes in Yemen. | These threats have consequences. Escorts and war-zone insurances are expensive. But also, some shipping companies rather take alternate routes. These routes make the journey longer and also more expensive. | Naval powers | To tackle these challenges and preserve their strategic and economic interests, many states are in a race to develop and maintain high-end navies. | Being a naval power means having a multiskilled fleet including: | War fleets (destroyers, frigates, supply vessels, etc.) Aircraft carriers Nuclear submarines Naval missiles and artillery (cruise missiles, antinaval missiles, torpedoes, etc.)
| These powers also need a network of naval bases across the globe. Whether it is through overseas territories or deals with other states. This ensures the ability to project power. | Naval powers have multiple goals. These include: | Protect their territory, Protect their economic interests (shipping routes, EEZ), Ensure freedom of navigation or restrict it, Project their forces abroad, Global influence.
| The U.S. is the number one naval power since World War II. It owns 11 carrier battle groups. They comprise aircraft carriers with their escorts (usually frigates, supply vessels and submarines). It also owns a large multiskilled war fleet. The U.S. is the only state to have fleets deployed in every ocean. Plus, it has a large network of bases abroad. The U.S. Navy goals are to preserve freedom of navigation and projection across the globe and prevent China's rise. | China is the second naval power. It owns 3 carrier battle groups and others are under construction. It is also rapidly developing its fleets of other naval assets, including nuclear submarines. China has 3 bases abroad. Its goals are to become the most powerful navy in the world, secure its energy routes and new Silk Roads. But also, China wants to maintain its presence and pressure in the China Sea. | Russia inherited the USSR's fleet. It owns nuclear submarines which plays a big role in its nuclear deterrence aims. It also owns a fleet of icebreakers which gives the ability to navigate northern seas and oceans in winter. Apart from nuclear deterrence, Russia used its fleet for projection of power in Syria and then in Ukraine. It is also a mean to access resources in the Arctic. | France is the EU's first naval power. It owns one carrier battle group, a multiskilled fleet and nuclear submarines. It also has many bases across the globe thanks to its overseas and deals. Its goals are to maintain freedom of navigation, protect its overseas and ensure nuclear deterrence. | UK's Royal Navy was a dominant navy in the past. Today, it modernizes its fleets and collaborates with the US Navy. Other naval powers include India and Japan, that need to develop a strong navy to counter China. But also, Turkey which develops its capacities. | Ecological issue | Let's not forget the impact of human activities on seas and oceans. These activities threaten the marine life. | The overexploitation of sand causes coastal erosion, disturb the marine habitat, and weakens habitations on the coasts. Overfishing also reduce fishery resources and disturbs undersea environment and feed chain. The pollution of transport shipping, container ship and oil tankers sinkings, and the waste discharge causes many damages. First, this hurts the marine life. But these wastes also end up in our body through tiny particles when we eat fish or drink. In the north Pacific, there is a whole continent of waste. It is called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. More than 100 million tons of waste are brought together by currents. | Climate change is also a source of concern. Glacial melting is causing the sea level to rise. In the long-term, coastal cities or islands could be submerged. It also changes the oceanic chemistry and disturbs the ecosystem. The UN estimates say that in 25 years from now there could be about 250 million climate refugees. | Decoding geopolitics isn't a job. It's survival. | Joy |
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