Maritime Policy Research Articles

Transformasi Kebijakan Maritim dalam Era Digital: Peran Teknologi dalam Meningkatkan Efektivitas dan Keamanan Lautan di Indonesia

Abstract: Indonesia's maritime potential holds a significant position in the country's economy, considering Indonesia's status as an archipelagic country with several ports and sea routes which have a strategic position because Indonesia is located between two continents and two oceans, namely Asia and Australia Continents, and, Indian and the Pacific Oceans. As much as 40% of world trade routes also pass through Indonesia. However, the challenge faced by Indonesia in utilizing its potential is that maritime effectiveness and security are still low. Therefore, the transformation of maritime policy in the digital era is important to increase maritime effectiveness and security in Indonesia. Transforming maritime policy in the digital era can help improve port connectivity, increase maritime supply chain efficiency, and strengthen maritime security systems. This research will use a mixed methodology that includes literature analysis and policy analysis to explain the role of technology in increasing maritime effectiveness and security in Indonesia in the digital era. This writing concluded that the transformation of maritime policy in the digital era can have a significant impact on real-world security and cyber security. However, there are obstacles that need to be overcome so that the use of technology in maritime policy can be carried out effectively and efficiently. Therefore, more serious, and integrated efforts are needed from the government and society to overcome these obstacles and ensure that the transformation of maritime policy in the digital era can provide optimal benefits for the security and defense of maritime areas as well as cyber security in Indonesia. Keywords: maritime policy, transformation, digital era, real-life security, cyber-security

Strengthening Blue Economy Policy to Achieve Sustainable Fisheries

Particularly in developing nations, the aquaculture and fisheries sector is vital to the nutrition and food security of the global population. Nevertheless, notwithstanding their substantial social and economic potential, fishery resources are susceptible to overexploitation and hurting the environment. This research assesses the significance of bolstering blue economy policies to enhance sustainable maritime policies. This study employs the methodology of normative legal research. The research findings, the deterioration of ecological equilibrium, as evidenced by the diminishing carrying capacity of the sea, can be attributed to conservation efforts that lack a stronger emphasis on sustainable management. Maintaining the fundamental tenets of equitable and sustainable fisheries management in nations endowed with oceans is paramount. State and government policies toward society and distributive equity are inextricably linked in managing fisheries resources; local governments may be entrusted with autonomous design and assistance responsibilities for these policies. As a result, a revised vision for constructing a sustainable, equitable, and ambitious blue economy is proposed. Promoting resource-based economic development in the marine and fisheries industrial sector while preserving coastal environments and marine resources through the blue economy concept is possible. This vision is founded upon the following five governance principles: inclusive and equitable processes, climate stability, sustainable consumption and production, circular processes, and the promotion of healthy ecosystems.

External Maritime Policy of the EU: A Unilateral Initiative of Greece in the IMO

External Maritime Policy of the EU: A Unilateral Initiative of Greece in the IMO

Revision of the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy: an Opportunity for Developing Maritime Power ?

Revision of the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy: an Opportunity for Developing Maritime Power ?

Navigating the Blue Diplomacy: Indo-pacific Oceans and the Geopolitical Chessboard of India and China

The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a focal point of global geopolitical dynamics, with the Indian and Pacific Oceans serving as strategic arenas for major powers to assert influence and secure their national interests. This research paper explores the evolving maritime strategies of India and China, two prominent players in the Indo-Pacific, and analyzes the geopolitical chessboard that unfolds as they navigate the complex waters of the region. The study delves into the concept of "Blue Diplomacy" as a framework for understanding and interpreting maritime policies, economic interests, and geopolitical aspirations in the Indo-Pacific.

15. ve 16. YÜZYILLARDA AKDENİZ’DE OSMANLI DENİZ(CİLİK) GÜCÜNÜN OLUŞUMUNDAKİ ETKENLER

The needs that changed and diversified with the political, technological and scientific developments in the 21st century have brought about new risks and threats. New dimensions of security have started to be discussed against newly emerging risks and threats in international relations. Among the new security issues, the sea comes to the fore both as an area of expansion of states and as an area that gains importance in terms of military, energy, economic and ecological (environmental) security aspects. At this point, maritime policies, which have become a geostrategic need for states in regions that have become areas of power struggle due to their geopolitical positions, tend to change and develop too. Today, the Mediterranean is one of the regions where these power struggles take place just like in history. The necessities and basic factors that paved the way for the 15th and 16th century Turkish (Ottoman) domination in the Mediterranean basin, which is the cradle of Turkish seafaring, were evaluated within the framework of sea power theories and the decision-making model put forward within the scope of the study in terms of shedding light on the present day.
 Objective: In this study, an evaluation from a historical perspective was made based on the analysis model of the maritimization policy, which was formed within the framework of philosophical, cultural and theoretical foundations in the Mediterranean. With this evaluation, the building blocks in the formation of the Turkish maritime policy were tried to be shown.
 Methodology: In this study, a qualitative research method was used and a literature review was conducted on the subject. In the light of the historical and theoretical information that was obtained, an analysis of the period, which is the subject of the study, was tried to be made.
 Findings: The necessities and opportunities arising from the external conjuncture in the formation of the Turkish (Ottoman) maritime policy in the 15th and 16th centuries were determined with this study, and accordingly, the abilities of the decision-makers to benefit from these opportunities were shown. In addition, the events that formed the basis of the Turkish (Ottoman) maritime domination and sea power in the period in question were handled from a different perspective; and in this context, the emergence of the Turkish pirates, who constituted the source of the Turkish sea power of the period, and the Christianization policies that Spain applied to the Muslim and Jewish peoples in the Iberian Peninsula were associated.
 Originality: Within the scope of the study, a new decision-making model has been developed for the formulation of maritimization policies. In addition, the effect of the deportation policy implemented by Spain in the relevant period on the formation of the Turkish sea power was revealed for the first time.

Politik Hukum Pembangunan Kemaritiman Dalam Batasan Wilayah Perairan di Indonesia

The importance of maritime development legal politics is because the Indonesian nation until now has not had a national policy on the development of an integrated archipelagic state, weak understanding and awareness of Indonesia as an archipelagic state, has not set the boundaries of territorial waters even though the territorial waters, weak defense and state resilience from the seaside. Based on these problems, efforts to protect and ensure state security by sea are absolute. How is the legal politics of maritime development within the boundaries of territorial waters in Indonesia and how the enforcement of maritime law in Indonesian maritime waters is related to the country's maritime security? This research uses empirical juridical research methods, through tracing and reviewing secondary data, in the form of laws and regulations, academic manuscripts, policy recommendations, and scientific works of experts in the field of maritime development. The results of the discussion of the internationally recognized politics of maritime development law are very important, as a rule that can be used as a reference, especially by countries that have ratified it in determining maritime policy. The government has set various development policies and development of the maritime sector and is still weak in consistency and priority of implementation of these programs. Law enforcement in the maritime sector of Indonesia related to state maritime security is indispensable for the implementation of state maritime security in inland waters, archipelagic waters, Indonesian territorial seas, sea lanes, straits for international shipping of the Indonesian continental shelf, EEZ, and additional zones due to various forms of threats and threats to the Indonesian sea which has abundant natural resource potential and geographical position and strategic geopolitics.

Multi-scenario analyses for antitrust immunity policies on shipping alliances: A dynamic tripartite evolutionary game perspective

Shipping alliances are regarded as a special group in antitrust immunity policies worldwide because of their abilities to coordinate shipping resources. In particular, the international shipping involves different countries and stakeholders, making it difficult to form a unified antitrust immunity and maritime policy. This study builds a tripartite dynamic evolutionary game model composed of stakeholders including the shipping alliances, ports, and governments. It analyses the complex impacts of government policy, cooperation between the port and shipping alliance, accountability mechanism, and sudden changes in the external environment on the different stakeholders’ decisions. The stability points, evolution process, and evolution speed of the tripartite game, along with the movement of the convergence point in the unstable state, are investigated. Furthermore, the mutual influence of the three parties, especially that of government policy on the evolution process regarding the pricing strategy and antitrust immunity, is discussed. The results show that the reduction in the freight rate difference makes it easier for the alliance to choose a low-freight strategy under the antitrust immunity policy. The government could cooperate with the port and indirectly restrict the alliance through the port extra charge, while an increase in the alliance supply would weaken the port’s bargaining power. This research also investigates the timing of government regulation by considering the sudden fluctuations of the market and the international political risk when the three parties exert a push–pull pressure on one another’s decisions and provides comprehensive decision support for the three parties from the perspective of dynamic evolution.

The customer is always right? Flags of convenience and the assembling of maritime affairs

The concept of ‘flag of convenience’ is ubiquitous in literature on maritime governance. First popularised by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), it has served as a touchstone concept in maritime policy discourse, and as a metaphor for the interaction between state and corporate actors in both maritime affairs and the globalised economy more broadly. This article argues, however, that the conceptions of public and private as ontologically separate that underpin existing literature on maritime governance have obscured notable shifts in the practices of flags of convenience in recent decades. More specifically (and drawing on assemblage theory), it argues that while flags of convenience have been framed exclusively as entities that allow shipping interests to escape regulatory control, certain open registers have been re-constituted as hubs of knowledge and materiality that ease and accelerate commercial circulation in a variety of ways. The article concludes by drawing attention to the volatility of the politics and practices of flag statehood at large; additionally, it highlights the insights that can be yielded for International Relations by the examination of maritime governance using novel theoretical tools.

Maritime Trade Regulatory Framework In India: Current Landscape, Historical Evolution, Challenges, And Future Directions

This comprehensive article explores the multifaceted regulatory framework governing maritime trade in India. Beginning with a historical overview of maritime regulation in India, tracing its roots from ancient civilizations to colonial rule and post-independence reforms, it provides a contextual backdrop for understanding the current landscape. The article meticulously dissects the key components of India's maritime regulatory framework, highlighting the significance of laws such as the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, and the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963. It also sheds light on the role of customs regulations, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), and international conventions in shaping this framework. Recognizing the challenges that the maritime sector faces, the article discusses pressing issues such as infrastructure bottlenecks, bureaucratic inefficiencies, safety concerns, and the need for regulatory reforms. It underscores the urgency of modernization and adaptation to international standards and security protocols. Furthermore, the article delves into recent initiatives and reforms, including the Sagarmala Project and the National Maritime Policy, aimed at revitalizing the maritime sector and enhancing its competitiveness. It also discusses the digitalization efforts and ease-of-doing-business measures undertaken to streamline processes and reduce red tape. Lastly, the article contemplates the future prospects of India's maritime regulatory framework. It emphasizes the importance of infrastructure development, sustainability, digitalization, security, regulatory flexibility, and the promotion of coastal shipping as essential components of India's maritime strategy. In conclusion, this article paints a comprehensive picture of India's maritime regulatory landscape, from its historical evolution to its current challenges and future aspirations, emphasizing the nation's commitment to fostering a dynamic and thriving maritime trade ecosystem.

Regulatory and legal bases for the establishment and functioning of seafarers' health protection centers in the Russian Federation

Introduction. Ensuring the national interests of the Russian Federation in the World Ocean presupposes the development of medical and sanitary support for maritime activities, which currently requires integrated approaches in implementing the requirements for the preservation of the health of employees of the Russian fleet established by international legal acts on health and medical care in maritime navigation, of which the Russian Federation is a participant. In this regard, harmonization of legislation and improvement of measures related to the organization and functioning of seafarers' health protection centers are of particular importance.
 The study aims to conduct comprehensive legal monitoring of national regulatory and methodological documents regulating the activities of seafarers' health protection centers in comparison with international standards.
 Materials and methods. The authors have studied and analyzed scientific publications for the period from 1980 to 2023 defining the problems of medical and sanitary provision of water transport workers, methodological approaches of the World Health Organization, the International Labor Organization, the International Maritime Organization in this area, as well as current international and Russian regulatory legal acts, information from official websites of executive authorities and organizations.
 Results. The study found that today the system of seafarers' health protection, which previously existed in our country, has suffered significantly, and its restoration requires an integrated approach and centralization of medical support for maritime activities in accordance with the Maritime Doctrine of the Russian Federation and the Concept of Development of the Russian Federation Marine medicine. To this end, in the structure of organizations subordinate to the FMBA of Russia, in large port cities, head and regional centers for the protection of seafarers' health were established, carrying out accounting and analytical, organizational and methodological, regulatory, therapeutic and preventive, expert, scientific and educational activities. An important direction in the work of these centers is the implementation of preventive measures and the identification of occupational and work-related diseases. For the successful development of a unified system of medical and sanitary support for employees of the marine and river fleet, it is advisable to assign the functions of regulatory regulation in this area to the FMBA of Russia.
 Conclusion. The restoration of a full-fledged domestic system of providing medical care to water transport workers is possible through the creation and regulatory consolidation of the activities of seafarers' health protection centers in the structure of the FMBA organizations of Russia, which is an essential condition for achieving compliance of the national maritime policy with international requirements in the field of health and safety of navigation while maintaining its strategic goals and interests in the field of maritime and river navigation.
 Ethics. The study was conducted in compliance with Ethical standards. This study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics committee.

Development of Indonesian Maritime Sovereignty Culture Through Indonesian Maritime Policy with Indonesian Maritime Defense Strategy

In the past, Indonesia wielded a significant influence over the Southeast Asia region and beyond, particularly through the Srivijaya Kingdom and later Majapahit's maritime prowess. Indonesia's natural affinity for maritime culture predates its very conception and is evident in the vast territorial waters surrounding almost all of its provinces. This unique geographical aspect makes Indonesia an archipelagic state with a maritime tradition. To support Indonesia's maritime defense, it is crucial to promote the prosperity of its maritime affairs. The country's national defense strategy takes into account its archipelagic nature. Maritime culture is a key aspect of the five pillars that drive Indonesia towards becoming a World Maritime Fulcrum. This policy point recognizes that a robust maritime culture is fundamental to the formation of Indonesia's maritime defense. Strong maritime culture begets a robust maritime defense, highlighting the interdependence of these two critical components. Keywords: maritime culture, maritime defense, maritime power, world maritime fulcrum

Integrating Air Assets for Augmenting Surveillance Capabilities of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard

Law enforcement at sea is of prime importance for an Island nation. At present Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) satisfies its aerial demands through Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) under various limitations causing a gap between the demand and supply of aerial surveillance requirements. Hence this exploratory qualitative study has followed a deductive approach, interpretivism philosophy, and grounded theory strategy to realize the objectives of determining the present status of the SLCG surveillance mechanism, determining how the air assets could be effectively integrated into the SLCG surveillance mechanism, and to study the impact of integrating air assets into the SLCG surveillance mechanism. A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis resulted in strengths as already enacted act, experienced crew, and intention of authorities to integrate air assets into SLCG. Weaknesses were found to be a lack of naval assets, manpower, and the absence of air assets. Opportunities are the possible training opportunities, collaboration with the Sri Lanka Navy and SLAF, obtaining air assets through mutual cooperation, and leeway of integrating into a common maritime policy. Changing dynamics of non-traditional security threats, and geo-political implications due to inadequate presence and inadequate budget were identified as threats in SWOT analysis. Based on the outcome of the SWOT analysis, researchers came up with five recommendations such as formulating a framework for integrating air assets into SLCG, formulating a doctrine and Standard Operating Procedure for maritime-air operations of SLCG, developing a dialogue with SLAF for mutual cooperation and secondment of air and ground crew required for SLCG air operations, pursue diplomatic means for obtaining air assets and related training and finally conducting joint and multinational training and operations with local and international stakeholders. Therefore, strengthening SLCG capabilities and capacities by integrating air assets through a feasible framework in meeting its future operational demand is essential.

Bureaucratic Politics and Informality in Foreign Policy-making: The Case of Indonesia-China Relations

ABSTRACT How do governments respond to bilateral relationships characterised by growing economic cooperation on one side and concerns about national security on the other? The existing literature has mainly employed systemic, domestic and individual levels of analysis, but has failed to scrutinise the important bureaucratic aspect of policy-making. By focusing on Indonesia’s policy towards the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) assertiveness in the South China Sea (SCS), we examine the role of the ‘curator’, an official tasked with ensuring successful policy outcomes by often bypassing formal institutions in the policy-making process. Arguably, the main reason Indonesia maintained a relatively coherent policy can be attributed to the role of the curator, who worked within an informal space to coordinate maritime policies enacted by a bureaucratic apparatus that was deemed to be hindering the president’s approach. By incorporating informality as a mode of coordination, this analysis of Indonesia-China relations advances the bureaucratic politics model in FPA.

Examining The Implications Of Maritime Policy On National Defense Strategies

The maritime domain has become an area of increasing importance for global security and defense strategies. Maritime trade accounts for over 90% of global trade, and more than half of the world’s population lives within 60 kilometers of the sea. As such, the maritime domain has significant implications for national defense strategies, including potential threats, prioritizing defense programs, and maintaining a balance between defense and economic interests. The aim of this research is to examine the implications of maritime policy on national defense strategies. The research will address factors including assessing and prioritizing potential maritime threats, coordination and communication between various agencies and governments involved in maritime defense, maintaining a balance between defense and economic interests in maritime policy, the allocation of resources and investment in maritime defense programs, and the effectiveness of maritime defense strategies in achieving their intended outcomes. The research will also explore the changing nature of maritime threats and challenges, the relevance of a strong naval fleet in implementing a country's national defense strategy, the impact of maritime disputes, and the role of new technologies. A qualitative methods approach will be utilized, including a literature review, analysis of government policies and strategies, and interviews with government officials and experts in the field of maritime security. The study will focus on a range of countries with varying levels of maritime interests, including the United States, China, Japan, and Australia. The research findings will provide insights into the implications of maritime policy on national defense strategies and highlight key considerations for policymakers in assessing and prioritizing potential maritime threats, coordinating and communicating between various agencies and governments involved in maritime defense, and maintaining a balance between defense and economic interests in the maritime policy. The research will contribute to the understanding of the changing nature of maritime threats and the role of new technologies in national defense strategies. The limitations of this study are the limited scope of available data on maritime policy and the potential challenges to accurately measure and apply these policies to national defense strategies. In addition, the various interpretations and applications of maritime policy in different countries can further complicate the analysis and generalization of the findings.

Analysis of Trade, Investment, and Global Value Chain on the Gross Domestic Product of Fisheries Sector in Indonesia

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the indicators that play a role in the Indonesian marine and fisheries sector's development (investment in the fisheries sector, trade openness, fisheries net exports, global value chain (GVC) and fish production) towards the gross domestic product (GDP) of the fisheries sector. Theoretical framework: The theoretical framework builds on the New Trade Theory (NTT), a sustainable ocean economy, and global value chains. Design/methodology/approach: The panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) method is used to achieve the research gols. The data used is panel data for groups of provinces in Indonesia. Findings: The results of the estimated PVAR show that the investment of the fisheries sector has a negative and significant impact on the GDP of the fisheries sector, and GVC and fish production has a positive and significant impact on fisheries GDP. Whereas, Net-export and Trade openness have an insignificant impact on the GDP of fisheries. Research, Practical & Social implications: There is a need for an effective maritime policy to reduce the environmental impact of the development of coastal resources and preserve the diversity of fish production to face future threats. This is due to the constraints of international trade in the form of information or communication, technology, and regulations. Originality/value: Research related to the effect of investment in the fisheries sector, trade openness, fisheries net exports, GVC, and fish production on the GDP fishery in Indonesia and the data used is panel data for groups of provinces in Indonesia have never been done by other researchers.

The Arctic in Japan's Basic Plan on Ocean Policy: Toward a Comprehensive Free and Open Maritime Vision

Abstract: After decades of international cooperative strategies based on soft power through Official Development Assistance (ODA), the environmental, socioeconomic, and political change in the circumpolar North has led Japan to develop and link its Arctic policy with its Oceanic policy. To respond to the rising influence of China in the geopolitical and geoeconomic scene, Japan's maritime policy is based on international peace and stability, freedom of navigation, and the support of the international legal framework. Beyond its regional sphere of interest and influence, the inclusion of the Arctic region in Japan's Oceanic policy is also strongly connected to the influence of think tanks, lobbies, and institutions in Japan's policies, that for decades have encouraged Tokyo to take proactive measures. This policy also illustrates the ambition to present a comprehensive panoramic strategy embracing not only seas and oceans directly surrounding Japan, but worldwide.

Analysis of Determination of Sea Toll Routes in Eastern Indonesia (KTI) Using Dynamic Programming

The sea highway program is part of the fourth pillar, namely the pillars of the maritime economy, infrastructure and increasing welfare, one of the seven pillars of Indonesia's Maritime Policy (KKI). The aim of the Sea Highway Program is to grow the maritime economy by turning the sea into a production and marketi ng center between the Indonesian territory and the islands and surrounding areas. This study aims to analyze the decision of maritime highway routes in Eastern Indonesia Region (KTI) in order to provide the best route with a minimum distance. Four shipping highway routes from Surabaya to Eastern Indonesia Region, namely route T-13 (Tanjung Perak-Rote (Ndao)-Sabu (Biu)-Tanjung Perak), T-14 (Tanjung Perak-Lembata (Lewoleba)-Tabilota/Larantuka- Tanjung Perak), T-15 (Cape Perak-Makassar (Soekarno Hatta)-Jailolo-Morotai (Daruba)-Tanjung Perak), and T-18 (Tanjung Perak-Badas-Bima-Merauke (Kelapa Lima)-Tanjung Perak) combined into 1 (one) route from Tanjung Perak to Merauke, resulting in 1 (one) optimal route with the minimum distance obtained from the smallest value at each stage . This study uses quantitative methods and Multistage Graph problem-solving techniques with Dynamic Programming backward or bottom-up methods, and primary data collection through interviews and secondary data such as: documents/journals/books. The selected optimal route is (Tanjung Perak-Makassar-Tabilota/Larantuka-Sabu (Biu)-Merauke (Kelapa Lima)) with a distance from Tanjung Perak to Makassar is 437 Nm. Makassar to Tabilota/Larantuka is 340 Nm. Tabilota/Larantuka to Sabu (Biu) is 163.8 Nm. Sabu (Biu) to Merauke (Kelapa Lima) is 1261.24 Nm. So that the total shipping distance from Tanjung Perak to Merauke is 2202.04 Nm.

India’s Role in the Indian Ocean Region and Its Links to the Indo-Pacific

The main goal of this article will be to show how India’s role in the Indian Ocean region has changed over time and how it is linked to the wider Indo-Pacific region. In the beginning, the importance of the Indian Ocean to India’s overall naval security on a historical basis is pointed out. It is shown that Indian Ocean was the main conduit for carrying out trade with the subcontinent and also for the creation of the British Raj even though it did not receive the same attention from the land-based Indian states. Following this, the article moves on to how following its independence in 1947 India slowly started to realize the importance of the Indian Ocean and later on the wider Indo-Pacific to its national security. Step by step it is shown how India’s maritime policy has evolved over the years. In this respect, the importance of the decade of the 1990s is highlighted when India began to open up not only economically but in all other ways as well. The role of the United States in India’s naval expansion is also explained in detail during both the Obama and the Trump administrations. Here specifically the article focuses on the ‘pivot to Asia’ strategy of the Obama administration and how it impacted India. After this it is described how President Trump further pushed India to take a more active stance in the Indo-Pacific region. Next, the Indo-Pacific policy of the present Modi government is studied along with a detailed analysis of the ‘extended neighborhood’ concept in India’s Indo-Pacific policy. India’s relation with the island nations of the Indo-Pacific is scrutinized in a separate section. India’s role in the QUAD forum is also properly discussed. Finally, India’s involvement in the three main multilateral initiatives in the Indo-Pacific is laid out before coming to the concluding section.

Coherence Analysis of National Maritime Policy of Pakistan across Shipping Sector Governance Framework in the Context of Sustainability

Sustainable maritime development needs coherent governance, particularly for the shipping sector, to ensure a stable maritime economy. However, maritime governance in Pakistan is considered inadequate and incoherent and thus poses a serious challenge to sustainability. The National Maritime Policy (NMP) was launched two decades ago, in 2002, to provide an overarching governance framework for long-term benefits, but it is now outdated. This study aimed at analyzing the extent to which the NMP of 2002 is coherent with provincial, national, and international obligations and addresses emerging requirements for the development of a sustainable shipping sector in Pakistan. An analytical framework based on three (03) guiding principles, seven (07) criteria, and twenty-eight (28) indicators was employed using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Coherence across twenty-one (21) governing instruments was analyzed, scored (0–5), and rated on a ratio scale to represent the coherence index for each indicator. Thus, a matrix representing the coherence index score for each indicator individually and in pairwise comparison with the NMP was developed. An overall coherence index was calculated as 2.1, which shows poor coherence across governing instruments. This indicates that the NMP 2002 is unable to address emerging governance needs for sustainability issues such as climate response, pollution control, ballast water management, ecosystem conservation, social well-being, stakeholder engagement, and economic diversification, thus requiring revision to meet the challenges created by incoherent governing instruments at all levels and among segments of the maritime economy.