Maritime Security and Its Role in Sustainable Energy Security

Abstract

Transportation of energy resources plays a large part in ensuring regular supply of energy. As one-third of the world’s fossil fuel resources are transported by ships, it is important to ensure unhindered movement of ships at sea. However, there are many threats to maritime energy trade which pose a risk to free movement of ships. Providing maritime security to ships at sea is therefore essential. This chapter commences with a discussion on maritime chokepoints, its strategic significance and the impending risks to energy trade. The threats to maritime security, its different interpretations, security of offshore platforms, undersea pipelines, vessels and port security are discussed. Various measures to ensure safety of ships such as automatic identification system (AIS) and long-range identification and tracking (LRIT) system are also outlined. The role of the military and the role of international and regional cooperation in providing maritime security are discussed in detail. The chapter concludes that maritime security is essential for undertaking energy trade and thus plays an important role in global sustainable energy security.