Maritime Security in Southeast Asia

Foreword

3 P irate activity in strategically important waterways around the globe, from the Strait of Malacca to the waters off the Horn of Africa, has garnered significant attention recently from states dependent on these waters for international trade and the free movement of goods. State responses have ranged from independently dispatching naval forces to patrol major sea lines of communication to multinational patrols and information-sharing mechanisms to increase domain awareness. Less visible but of equal—or perhaps even greater—importance, are the efforts of shipowners, operators, and maritime industry groups toward increasing ship security and combating pirate attacks. The United States and Japan, in particular, are concerned with the threat of piracy to their economic interests and the freedom of navigation at sea, given their status as two of the world’s most trade-dependent economies. They are also two of the best-equipped countries to combat the problem. As such, the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) partnered with the Japan Forum on International Relations in May 2010 for a one-day workshop in Tokyo that addressed the problem of piracy and considered areas in which the United States and Japan can cooperate to ensure the safety and security of international waters. The essays in this report were presented at the workshop and address the issue in four dimensions. First, recognizing the particular importance of Southeast Asia’s strategic waterways to the United States and (especially) Japan, Sheldon Simon’s essay explores the complex web of patrol regimes and multinational mechanisms such as information sharing centers that have emerged to combat piracy in the Strait of Malacca and other waterways in the region. Next, John Bradford’s contribution outlines U.S. maritime strategy and the increased U.S. emphasis on promoting cooperative partnerships to meet the world’s ever-expanding maritime security challenges. Third, James Manicom assesses Japan’s activities toward increasing maritime safety and security in Southeast Asia, focusing his analysis on the root causes of piracy found on land. Finally, Neil Quartaro offers a detailed assessment of industry perspectives on piracy and the lessons that have been learned from recent experience. Taken together, the essays demonstrate a series of pragmatic steps that actors in the maritime domain can take to meet maritime security challenges across the globe and especially in East and Southeast Asia. I would like to recognize and express appreciation to the members of the research team whose essays appear in this report. I would also like to extend sincere appreciation to the Japan Forum on International Relations for its partnership in the May 2010 workshop in Tokyo, as well as to the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership for its financial support for the workshop. This report marks the first of several that NBR will be releasing in the coming year that explore various facets of maritime security in Asia, including the legal, historical, political, economic, and strategic implications of disputed claims in the South and East China seas and the Gulf of Thailand. Future studies will maintain a keen focus on the maritime domain with respect to its strategic importance to U.S. interests, not just in Asia but around the globe. FOREWORD Tim Cook Project Director The National Bureau of Asian Research This page intentionally left blank. ...