Sea Lines of Communication Security and Piracy

해상교통로(SLOC) 안보와 해적: 소말리아 해적퇴치작전 경험을 중심으로

This thesis analyzes Somali piracy as a non-traditional threat to the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) and international countermeasures to the piracy. In an era of globally interdependent economies, the protection of sea lines and freedom of navigation are prerequisites for the development of states. Since the post-Cold War began in the early 1990s, ocean piracy has emerged as a significant threat to international trade. For instance, in the Malacca Strait which carries 30 percent of the world's trade volume, losses from failed shipping, insurance, plus other subsequent damages were enormous. Until the mid-2000s, navies and coast guards from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, together with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), conducted anti-piracy operations in the Strait of Malacca. The combined efforts of these three maritime states, through information sharing and with reinforced assets including warships and patrol aircrafts, have successfully made a dent to lower incidents of piracy. Likewise, the United Nations' authorization of multinational forces to operate in Somali waters has pushed interdiction efforts including patrol and escort flotilla support. This along with self-reinforced security measures has successfully helped lower piracy from 75 incidents in 2012 to 15 in 2013. As illustrated, Somali piracy is a direct security threat to the international community and the SLOC which calls for global peacekeeping as a countermeasure. Reconstructing the economy and society to support public safety and stability should be the priority solution. Emphasis should be placed on restoring public peace and jurisdiction for control of piracy as a primary countermeasure.