Abstract
Today the Suez Canal remains the traditional sea route where cargoes transported between the Far East and Europe, and vice versa. However, the most important international waterway is the Straits of Malacca situated in the Southeast Asian region where it is estimated more than 80,000 vessels are plying through the straits annually. There was recently an interest to venture into a new route namely the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as an alternative route between Europe, and the Far East and vice versa. This paper aims to explain the background of the international trade and shipping at the Straits of Malacca. Secondly, to explain the importance of the NSR in facilitates commercial shipping and trade in the Artic Region. Thirdly, to analyses the NSR’s commercial potential and economic importance as an alternative route for commercial shipping and trade with Asian Region and finally to analyses the challenges and constraints of the NSR including the physical aspects of the route which is in ice conditions most of the time around a year. Findings show that Singapore had shown its interest by becoming a member of the Artic Council, while other countries in the region including Malaysia needs to take into consideration the potential of the NSR as an alternative shipping route in the future to overcome some long-standing issues related to the traffic congestion at the Straits of Malacca.Keywords: maritime connectivity, Southeast Asia, Northern Sea Route, commercial shipping, port infrastructure
Highlights
Southeast Asia region is strategically located at the crossing of the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea
There were several studies conducted on maritime connectivity globally but not many studies or literature focusing on the Southeast Asian region
Southeast Asian region is in need of continuous investments to improve maritime connectivity including land transport and supply-chain infrastructure to support port and shipping developments
Summary
With a new political willingness, Singapore already accepted as a Permanent Observer at the Arctic Council in May 2013 along with Japan and Korea This will open up new involvement from other Asian countries including Malaysia in terms of research and the possibility of getting involved in the Arctic trade in the future by analyzing the above aspects. The length of the NSR from the Kara Strait to the Providence Bay is about 5600 km (History of Northern Sea Route) It became the shortest waterway between the European part of Russia and the Far East. The Straits of Malacca serves as an important shipping route linking Asian and European trade and connecting the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
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