Value of Oceans (DP IB Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Grace Bower
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Strategic Value of Oceans
Oceans are valuable places, particularly for global superpowers
They are vital for economies, maritime trade and security
Economic Value
Oceans have extensive economic value
They provide trade routes around the world. Roughly 80–90% of all trade around the world moves through the oceans
This movement of goods sustains the world’s economy
It is a building block of globalisation
Security
Oil transit chokepoints are channels inside trade routes
Some chokepoints are canals, which act as shortcuts for trade routes
Over 60% of world oil is transported via the sea
Chokepoints must remain open to ensure energy security and reduce international conflict
Examples of chokepoints include:
Strait of Hormuz
Strait of Malacca
Suez Canal
Panama Canal
Stronger maritime powers can control chokepoints and routes, increasing the country’s security
Countries like China, India, the UK and the US are global maritime powers. They have a significant naval military force:
Having military control over chokepoints and routes makes a country much more powerful. They are ideal for attack and defence strategies
Global Transit Chokepoints
Sources of International Conflict
Oceans are areas of international conflict
Conflicts at sea can impact global superpowers and the world economy
Transit chokepoints, canals and islands
If chokepoints close, it can cause huge problems for the world economy and countries that depend upon oil imports
Some countries can threaten to close chokepoints, which could cause a huge rise in oil prices:
Ships and tankers would need to find an alternative route, one which is typically much longer
In 2012, Iran threatened the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz
Sometimes, large shipping vessels get trapped in the chokepoints:
In 2021, the Ever Given ship blocked the Suez Canal
This caused major disruption of goods transportation
Political turmoil exists (and has existed) at canal and transit chokepoints, where countries rival over ownership and power:
Iran has conflict with the UAE over the Strait of Hormuz:
Iran controls most of the islands in the strait, yet the UAE demand their sovereignty
These islands are vital for the control of the chokepoint
The Suez Crisis in 1956 involved Britain, France and Israel invading Egypt to claim control of the Suez Canal:
In the end, Egypt won, leaving a trail of political issues for Britain
Piracy and terrorism
Chokepoints are often at risk from piracy and terrorism
Piracy takes place out of the territorial watermark (of the UNCLOS Maritime Zones)
Pirates hijack ships, capture the crew and goods and hold them as ransom
Chokepoints are typical places for marine terrorist attacks to take place
Resource exploitation
Oceans contain vast amounts of resources
Both biotic and abiotic resources from oceans are vital
Exploitation of these resources occurs daily
Many conflicts occur as a result of resource exploitation and claims for territory
With climate change and risks to food security, resource conflicts will inevitably rise
Case Study: South China Sea
The South China Sea
The South China Sea is a contested environment
China states that they have ownership over the majority of the sea, marked by the 9-dash line
Countries like Taiwan and Vietnam contest the 9-dash line
The vagueness of the intentions of China’s 9-dash line raises questions over territorial claim, sovereignty and resource use
In a 2016 tribunal between the Philippines and China, the 9-dash line was legally proven insignificant, but China still believes it to be true
Maps of the area now conflict with each other
China continues to assert its dominance, ignoring the legal outcome of the 9-dash line
China’s 9-dash line and conflicted islands
Value
Trade
The South China Sea links the Pacific and Indian Ocean
It is a crucial trade route for resources like oil and gas
Economies in the area are dependent on the sea for importing and exporting goods
Resources
It is a very biodiverse environment
There is a bounty of fish in this area. Roughly 12% of the world’s fishing takes place here
This brings food security and economic growth to the surrounding areas
The area could also be a huge deposit of oil and gas, yet to be explored
Competition
There are major sovereignty conflicts over the Islands in the South China Sea e.g. the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands
Ownership of these islands belongs to Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, The Philippines and Brunei
Troops are stationed in these islands from all countries except Brunei
Much of China’s land lies under the water:
To combat this, China is building islands on coral reefs for military bases
China are also increasing their military presence around the islands
This poses a threat to superpowers like the US:
Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) run through the South China Sea
These are used for trade and naval movement – it is a vital area for the US
The US is increasing its military presence, as China poses a threat
China’s military presence in the South China Sea is still dominant
Although war could occur, both sides value the importance of the area
The states all claim different areas, overlapping each other. This, combined with the so-called 9-dash line, creates a very complicated map
Competing claims in the South China Sea
Despite their being a tribunal, which gave other states the power to claim territory, China continues to reject it
As China is a member of the UN Security Council, the country would have the ability to get rid of any sanctions posed upon it for ignoring the tribunal
Future conflicts could occur as China continues to mark its sovereignty of the area, whilst surrounding states use the waters for resource exploitation
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