The Evolving Strategic Landscape of Maritime Security

The current strategic picture of maritime security has been shaped by both persistent and emerging challenges. Key structural changes include the increasing industrialization of ocean space, highlighted by significant growth in shipping and fishing activities over recent decades. By comparing figures such as the rise in containerized cargo from 102 million tons in 1980 to 1.3 billion tons in 2017, it becomes evident that human activity at sea is accelerating. Concurrently, various threats such as piracy, maritime terrorism, and political extremism are complicating this landscape, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of how these dynamics interact.