Papers by Ocean Geopolitics Centre
Maritime Chokepoints and Global Power: Geography, Trade and Strategic Control , 2026
Maritime chokepoints constitute some of the most strategically significant geographical features ... more Maritime chokepoints constitute some of the most strategically significant geographical features in the international system. Despite their limited physical dimensions, these narrow waterways facilitate the movement of a substantial proportion of global trade, energy supplies, and naval forces, making them critical to economic prosperity, geopolitical stability, and international security. This article examines the strategic importance of major maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Suez Canal, Panama Canal, Turkish Straits, Danish Straits, and emerging Arctic sea routes. It explores their geographical characteristics, economic functions, and geopolitical significance while analysing the complex relationship between sovereignty, international law, and strategic control.
The study argues that control and influence over maritime chokepoints remain central elements of state power in the twenty-first century. Drawing upon classical theories of sea power and contemporary geopolitical analysis, it demonstrates how these maritime corridors serve as critical nodes linking global production networks, energy markets, and military operations. Particular attention is given to the role of regional and great powers in securing, managing, or contesting access to these routes. The article concludes that, despite advances in technology and transportation, maritime chokepoints continue to shape global strategic dynamics. Their security and openness remain essential for maintaining international trade, energy security, and the stability of the contemporary global order.
The Use of the Sea for War Purposes: Historical Evolution, Strategic Significance, and Maritime Power
The sea has long served as a critical domain for the conduct of warfare, shaping the political, e... more The sea has long served as a critical domain for the conduct of warfare, shaping the political, economic, and military development of states throughout history. This essay examines the evolution of maritime warfare from ancient naval conflicts to contemporary strategic competition, highlighting the role of sea power in enabling military mobility, trade protection, deterrence, and global influence. Drawing upon the theories of Alfred Thayer Mahan and Julian Corbett, it analyses the concepts of sea control, sea denial, and maritime power projection. The study further explores technological transformations, including nuclear submarines, cyber capabilities, and autonomous systems, demonstrating that maritime supremacy remains fundamental to national security and international stability in the twenty-first century.
Governing the Global Ocean Commons in the Twenty-First Century: Climate Change, Strategic Competition, and the Future of Ocean Sovereignty, 2026
The global ocean commons have emerged as one of the defining governance challenges of the twenty-... more The global ocean commons have emerged as one of the defining governance challenges of the twenty-first century, situated at the intersection of environmental sustainability, economic development, and geopolitical competition. Covering more than seventy percent of the Earth's surface, the oceans regulate the global climate, sustain marine biodiversity, facilitate international trade, and support the livelihoods of billions of people. Yet accelerating climate change, biodiversity loss, marine pollution, overexploitation of living resources, and growing interest in deep-sea mineral extraction have exposed significant weaknesses in existing governance frameworks. Simultaneously, intensifying competition among major powers for strategic influence, critical maritime infrastructure, shipping routes, and seabed resources has transformed the oceans into a central arena of global geopolitics. This article examines the evolving challenges of governing the high seas and the broader global ocean commons through an interdisciplinary lens that integrates international law, environmental science, political economy, and strategic studies. It argues that traditional state-centric approaches are increasingly inadequate for addressing transboundary oceanic threats and that a new paradigm of integrated ocean governance is required. The study explores the implications of the High Seas Treaty, the rise of deep-sea mining, the strategic significance of maritime connectivity, and the concept of ecological security. Ultimately, it contends that the future stability of both marine ecosystems and the international order depends upon humanity's capacity to reconcile sovereignty, sustainability, and collective stewardship within an increasingly interconnected and contested maritime domain.
Rare Minerals on the Ocean Floor: Strategic Resources for the Twenty-First Century, 2026
The ocean floor contains vast deposits of critical minerals that are increasingly important for t... more The ocean floor contains vast deposits of critical minerals that are increasingly important for the global energy transition, digital technologies, and advanced industrial systems. Polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, and seafloor massive sulphides contain significant concentrations of nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, rare earth elements, and precious metals essential for batteries, renewable energy infrastructure, aerospace applications, and artificial intelligence technologies. This article examines the geological formation of these resources, their strategic and economic significance, and the specialised technologies required for their exploration and extraction. It also discusses environmental concerns, governance challenges, and the future role of deep-sea mining in supporting sustainable technological development. 
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Papers by Ocean Geopolitics Centre
The study argues that control and influence over maritime chokepoints remain central elements of state power in the twenty-first century. Drawing upon classical theories of sea power and contemporary geopolitical analysis, it demonstrates how these maritime corridors serve as critical nodes linking global production networks, energy markets, and military operations. Particular attention is given to the role of regional and great powers in securing, managing, or contesting access to these routes. The article concludes that, despite advances in technology and transportation, maritime chokepoints continue to shape global strategic dynamics. Their security and openness remain essential for maintaining international trade, energy security, and the stability of the contemporary global order.