From the strait of Hormuz to the North Sea, a global maritime war rages around us – and more than the price of oil is at stake | Simon Tisdall
📰 source: theguardian_business · 📚 research
the us military is running a campaign to protect merchant shipping in the strait of hormuz from iranian attacks. trump first suggested tolls, then rowed back and signed an mou with iran accepting its right to monetize transit. almost 200 years ago, the us sent a squadron to the mediterranean for similar trade protection.
the houthi militias in yemen have blockaded the bab al-mandab strait, hitting two oil tankers. indonesia is debating tolls in the malacca strait, through which 22% of global shipping passes. china conducted a live-fire drill inside japan's exclusive economic zone, following heightened tensions over taiwan. a russian frigate did a live-fire drill 45 miles south of plymouth, weeks after firing shots near a yacht off the isle of wight.
these incidents reflect a breakdown in the 'free sea' consensus. about 80% of traded goods go by sea. the global maritime order is sinking beneath new unilateralism.
why it matters: rising maritime conflicts from hormuz to the south china sea threaten free navigation and global trade, with potential for supply chain disruption and higher costs.
source: theguardian_business
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