MARITIME TERRORISM: CHALLENGES & WAY FORWARD

ABSTRACT 

Maritime terrorism poses a significant threat to global security and trade, exploiting the vast and largely unregulated maritime domain. With over 90% of world trade relying on sea routes and most communication channels depending on undersea cables, the vulnerability of maritime infrastructure is a growing concern. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks and Red Sea Houthi incidents underscore the increasing sophistication of terrorist networks leveraging technology, including drones and unmanned systems. Key challenges include the borderless nature of oceans, terror financing, and the targeting of critical infrastructures such as ports and naval bases. Addressing these issues requires international cooperation, technological innovation, and capacity building among states. Strengthening naval forces, enhancing intelligence sharing, and implementing global legal frameworks like the SUA Convention are essential for deterrence and prevention. Ensuring maritime security is vital for sustaining global economic stability and maintaining peace in international waters.

Keywords 

Maritime Security, Terrorism, International Cooperation, Technological Advancement, Critical Infrastructure

INTRODUCTION

The word “Terrorism” consist of two words terror +ism ‘terror’ means ‘fear’ & ‘ism’ refers to ‘ideology’ hence terrorism is an ideology to create fear in the mind of people. When terrorists exploit maritime domain to further their illicit activities it can be termed as maritime terrorism. The word maritime terrorism is defined by the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) as “the undertaking of terrorist attacks and activities within the maritime environment, against maritime assets and infrastructure.”i Maritime terrorism is emerging as a global threat to maritime security. This paper analysis the challenges to deal with maritime terrorism & further enlists some suggestions & way forward to deal with this global menace.

IMPORTANCE OF MARITIMESECURITY

90% of world trade happensby sea as it is the cheapestmeans of transportand 99% of the world’s telephonic and internet communication traverses submarine cables.ii Terrorism is spreading its roots in every nook & corner of the world be it land (e.g 1993 Mumbai blasts), air (e.g aircrafthijacking) or sea (e.g Red sea Houthiattacks). The criticalinfrastructure around coastal areas is often targeted by terrorists for infiltration & smuggling arms. . The 1993 Mumbai serial blasts & 26/11 terror attack displayed the potential of terrorist to misuse vulnerable sea routes as the terrorists entered though sea routes pulling wool over the eyes of security forces. iii 

CHALLENGES TO DEAL WITH MARITIME TERRORISM

Terrorism is a multidimensional issue. Any strategy to deal with the challenges need to holistically examine all associated dimensions. Challenges include:

Borderless nature

Oceans being borderless maritime terrorism is not confined to one region making it difficult to trace and actupon on top of that boundary disputes between nations further complicate the issue for instance Sir creek dispute between India & Pakistan has resulted in region as a hot spot of smuggling enhancing its vulnerability.

Terror financing

Choking financial supply to terrorist organizations is the biggest challenge the reason is as long as financial assistance is provided to the terrorists curbing this menace is almost impossible the kind of weaponry & devices ( e.g UAVs, pagers etc) they posses is a harbinger of huge financial support. Though on a global level institutions like FATF (Financial Action Task Force) are working for money laundering & terrorist financing but we have a long way to go.

Terrorist harnessing technology

Terrorists have displayed their potential of technological advancement as time & again they proved that with changing technology they have changed their approach the recent drone technology usage by the Houthis of Yemen in Red sea is a glaring example of technical advancement of terrorists.iv

Critical Infrastructure

Critical infrastructure is often targeted due to its vulnerable nature these includes ports, undersea cables or naval bases.v These are major targets due to the strategic importance it holds from the point of view of economy & security.

POSSIBLE WAY FORWARD

International cooperation: As the problem is global we need a global level solution for the same that requires nation-states to come forward & join hands for a rule based international maritime domain. There are UN conventions on countering terrorism which includes the Hostages Convention 1979, the SUA (safety of marine navigation) Convention of 1988 & its 2005 protocol which aims to deal with additional terrorist activities, the Terrorism Financing Convention of 1999. States are hesitant to ratify some of these conventions, which is a cause of concern as we need a legal mechanism in place on International level to curb this menace & punish the perpetrators which will also work as deterrence.vi

Strengthening maritime forces: States must invest in modernizing their navies with advance surveillance technology, fast response vessels, UAVs & water sensors. Also maritime exercises like the Malabar exercise between quad members works as a deterrent for potential threats.vii

Leverage technology: We need to leverage AI & ML and advance our sources of maritime intelligence. Robust maritime intelligence mechanism put in place can help take preventive steps & nip in the bud terrorist plot. Intelligence sharing between different countries (e.g five eye alliance) & different departments & ministries of a particular country may be a better strategyfor preventive steps.viii

Capacity building: It is important to deal with this menace that there are collaborations between different States to share international best practices, technology transfers & financial assistance to developing & least developed countries to eradicate maritime terrorism & uphold maritime security. It is advisable that all the stakeholders pool in their resources for capacity building of backward States to achieve optimum results & make our oceans more secure.ix

CONCLUSION

Maritime terrorism in Red sea has becomea pressing concern as it significantly impacted global trade & shipping routes. Maritime terrorismis emerging as a form of organized crime, there is a need for more focus towards this challenge by world community & better strategy to deal with this menace keeping changing needs of time in mind. Maritime security concern endangers global economy, security & peace hence there is a need for a regime in place that address this problem at grass- root level with mutual cooperation and awareness of the maritime domain.

REFERENCES

1. Institute of strategic studies Islamabad ( 2014) Maritime security post 9/11; challenges & response https://www.issi.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/1299824930_7936849.pdf
2. Diplomatic Courier (Sep 2024)Maritime terrorism is on the rise whether we notice it or not https://www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/maritime-terrorism-on-the-rise-whether-we- notice-it
3. Ashok Kumar and Vipul Anekant (2021) challenges to internal security of India (4th ed.)Mc Graw Hill.
4. Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) ( 2024)Six Houthi drone warfare strategies: how innovation shifting regional balance of power https://acleddata.com/2024/08/06/six-houthi-drone-warfare-strategies-how-innovation-is- shifting-the-regional-balance-of power/#:~:text=Houthi%20drones%20in%20the%20Yemen,more%20than%20700%20re ported%20fatalities.
5. Justor (2007) Maritime Terrorism focusing on probable by Richard Farrell available at https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/26396848
6. Diplomatic Law Policy forum ( October 2023) Maritime terrorism & challenges to counter available at https://www.dlpforum.org/2023/10/25/maritime-terrorism- challenges-counter-terrorism-efforts/
7. University of Wollongong research online (2011) New challenges for maritime security in Indian Ocean – an Australian perspective available at https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1528&context=lawpapers ( last visited 18/019/20).