From lessons in the Red Sea, identifying risks of maritime connectivity in the East Sea

A chokepoint in a maritime corridor could impact global freedom of navigation, and the current story in the Red Sea provides an illustration of the challenges facing maritime navigation in the South China Sea if disagreements are not well managed.

Từ 'bài học' ở Biển Đỏ, nhận diện rủi ro kết nối hàng hải trên Biển Đông

Maritime challenges in the East Sea were a topic actively discussed by delegates attending the 12th Ocean Dialogue. (Source: VNA)

Maritime disruption is a global challenge

Speaking at the 12th Ocean Dialogue in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15, Assistant Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu said the turmoil in the Red Sea has shown that vital shipping routes and choke points can be used for geopolitical purposes. This is also an example of how disruption in a major shipping corridor can have global consequences.

Citing data from the Vietnam Maritime Administration showing that shipping rates from Vietnam to the US East Coast increased from 2,600 USD/container in December 2023 to 4,100 - 4,500 USD in January 2024, an increase of 58 - 73%, Mr. Nguyen Minh Vu said that Vietnam was also heavily affected despite being far from the Red Sea.

"The high risks have led to higher insurance premiums and higher energy costs. Difficulties in maritime transport have reduced the competitiveness of Vietnamese products and caused disruptions in the supply chain. Unfortunately, Vietnam has been one of the countries affected by the attacks in the Red Sea," he said.

From the lessons of the Red Sea, within the framework of the Maritime Dialogue with the theme "Promoting connectivity at sea - Strengthening global engagement" this time, connectivity issues in the East Sea were also brought up for heated discussion.

At the Dialogue, Mr. Nguyen Minh Vu mentioned regional concerns about "a series of destabilizing and provocative events in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in the East Sea".

Mr. Nguyen Minh Vu said that there are activities in the gray zone that undermine the law of the sea. There have been challenges to international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), raising concerns about the legal order at sea, freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as the protection of sovereignty and legitimate rights of coastal states.

“Ambiguous and excessive maritime claims, any disregard for the legal order at sea based on UNCLOS 1982, as well as any attempt to impose pragmatic and arbitrary policies at sea, are all causes for concern,” Mr. Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized.

With the same concerns, at this Sea Dialogue, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son (Deputy Director of the Diplomatic Academy) further emphasized the geopolitical challenges and internal politics of countries when many major countries undergo important elections, creating the risk of policy changes.

Mr. Nguyen Hung Son also mentioned some actions that could be considered "gray zone actions" with unclear legal basis, and thereby causing instability, making it difficult for countries to cooperate in responding.

Vietnam has developed a strategy for sustainable development of the marine economy until 2030, with a vision to 2045, emphasizing maritime connectivity. (Source: VNA)

Maritime connectivity under international law

Delegates at the Dialogue said that the above-mentioned practice further highlights the need to enhance connectivity between countries, which could be a solution to promote the economic potential of the region. Currently, there have been many efforts and initiatives to promote maritime connectivity, however, there are still many challenges that prevent these efforts from being implemented as expected. Therefore, delegates all agreed that it is necessary to soon promote digital transformation in promoting the maritime supply chain.

The Australian Financial Review (AFR) once estimated that the South China Sea alone is the place where 27.9% of the world's merchandise trade passes. The AFR also warned of the risk of a chain effect when one of the world's shipping routes is paralyzed for some reason, which could lead to the closure of the Strait of Malacca or the South China Sea. The problem is that the South China Sea is disputed by many parties, so military conflict is the most conceivable risk.

Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu said that the maritime network serves as a vital trade route, accounting for 80% of global trade. Maritime connectivity facilitates cultural exchange, scientific research and tourism, and plays an important role not only in disaster response and humanitarian aid but also for fiber optic cables, which are the backbone of global digital connectivity. On the other hand, maritime connectivity today is also strongly influenced by digitalization, automation and green energy transition.

As a coastal country and also a sea-using country, Vietnam has built a strategy for sustainable development of the marine economy until 2030, with a vision to 2045, which emphasizes maritime connectivity. The prosperity of Vietnam's economy today depends on the safety and security of maritime corridors.

Vietnam is strongly committed to maritime safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, and unimpeded maritime connectivity in accordance with international law. Respect for the 1982 UNCLOS is the foundation for ensuring peace, stability, legal order at sea and the most appropriate method for resolving maritime disputes.

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