MONITORSeptember 2019 www.maritimestudyforum.org July 2019 Table of Contents Security and Diplomacy 01 Pakistan News Regional News Global News Maritime Economy 05 Pakistan News Regional News Global News Maritime Environment 08 Pakistan News Global News Coastal Development 09 Pakistan News Regional News Global News Law and Policy 10 Pakistan News Regional News Global News www.maritimestudyforum.org Maritime Study Forum Monitor September 2019 Maritime Security and Diplomacy Pakistan News Ali Zaidi Lauds Role of Pakistan Navy in Maritime Sector & Global Maritime Peace Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi held a meeting with Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi in Islamabad on Sep 13th. According to the spokesman for Pakistan Navy, maritime affairs were discussed in the meeting.1 Pak Navy Ship Alamgir Visits Oman The Pakistan Navy Ship, Alamgir, with embarked Alouette helicopter, visited Port Salalah, Oman, as part of overseas deployment for Regional Maritime Security Patrols (RMSP) aimed at ensuring safety and security of international shipping along critical choke points.2 Turkey Kicks Off Construction of Warship for Pakistan Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sep 30th attended a dual ceremony commissioning a new Turkish naval ship while starting construction of a ship for the Pakistan Navy.3 Germany Acknowledges Pak Navy Efforts for Maritime Security The Chief of German Navy called on Pakistan’s Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, at Naval Headquarters in Islamabad on Sep 30th. During the meeting different matters of joint interest including bilateral were discussed.4 1 http://www.radio.gov.pk/13-09-2019/ali-zaidi-lauds-role-of-pakistan-navy-in-maritime-sector-global-maritime-peace 2 https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/526825-pak-navy-ship-alamgir-visits-oman 3 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2068365/1-turkeys-erdogan-inaugurates-construction-warship-pakistan-navy/ 4 https://www.aaj.tv/english/latest/germany-acknowledges-pak-navy-efforts-for-maritime-security/ Security and Diplomacy 01 Monitor September 2019 Maritime Study Forum Monitor September 2019 Maritime Security and Diplomacy Regional News Japan Won’t Join U.S.-led Maritime Coalition in the Gulf Japan will not join a U.S.-led security mission to protect merchant vessels passing through key Middle Eastern waterways, but will 5 consider deploying its naval force independently. At Sea, Safety Is Just as Important as Security The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) has made “Maritime Safety and Security” a priority area of focus, but almost all attention has been focused on the security element. Safety arrangements for maritime cooperation remain underdeveloped.6 Chennai Handles Biggest Box Ship DP World Chennai recently handled the 299m long CMA CGM Rhône. This is the largest container vessel to berth at a port in South and South East India, and the company says its arrival shows that the Chennai Container Terminal is helping to expand opportunities to grow regional trade.7 India, Singapore and Thailand Enhance Naval Interoperability with Inaugural Maritime Drills The navies of India, Singapore and Thailand have started shore-based activities under the inaugural trilateral maritime drills among the three countries known as Exercise ‘SITMEX’.8 Indian Naval Chief Places 3-Point Proposal The Indian Navy Admiral urged Bangladesh to further enhance cooperation in the field of information sharing, production of equipment and shipbuilding.9 5 https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-iran-japan/japan-wont-join-us-led-maritime-coalition-in-gulf-newspaper-idUKKCN1VO02N 6 http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/the-interpreter/at-sea-safety-just-important-security 7 https://www.themaritimestandard.com/chennai-handles-biggest-box-ship/ 8 https://www.janes.com/article/91315/india-singapore-thailand-enhance-naval-interoperability-with-inaugural-maritime-drills 9 http://www.newagebd.net/article/85307/indian-naval-chief-places-3-point-proposal 01 Security and Diplomacy 02 Monitor September 2019 Maritime Study Forum Monitor September 2019 Maritime Security and Diplomacy Global News Warships and Aircraft Ready for First US-ASEAN Maritime Drills Eight warships, four aircraft and more than a thousand personnel from the US and Southeast Asian countries join the drill.10 South China Sea: Beijing Risks Infuriating Vietnam as It Eyes Oil and Gas Reserve China has appeared to be keeping its eye on Vietnam’s oil and gas reserve as it moved a huge crane vessel near to its southern neigh- bour’s coast.11 Iran Coast Guards Seize Ship with Filipino Crew for Smuggling Oil Iranian coast guards seized control of a foreign ship for allegedly smuggling Iranian oil. The coast guards seized the ship carrying about 284 thousand litres of smuggled Iranian oil near the Strait of Hormuz.12 Heavy Traffic in South China Sea: US Vies with China in Joint Naval Drills with ASEAN Members Since 2018, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have actually held at least three joint naval exercises.13 China, Malaysia Seek to Resolve South China Sea Disputes with New Dialogue Mechanism China and Malaysia have agreed to set up a joint dialogue mechanism for discussing South China Sea issues at a time of simmering tensions between Beijing and its neighbors over the disputed waterway.14 10 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/warships-aircraft-ready-asean-maritime-drills 11 https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1174520/south-china-sea-news-latest-vietnam-oil-gas-islands-crane-vessel 12 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190908-iran-coast-guards-seize-foreign-ship-for-smuggling-oil/?fbclid=IwAR0aAZJqmjEE0e5Hc-ZqNi2tGhlCGfd1mpTeuJRgvVc8Slx4D3yLyK4Z- 13 https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3026142/heavy-traffic-south-china-sea-us-vies-china-joint-naval-drills 14 https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3026957/china-malaysia-seek-resolve-south-china-sea-disputes-new 02 Security and Diplomacy 03 Monitor September 2019 Maritime Study Forum Monitor September 2019 Maritime Security and Diplomacy Global News Why the US and Its Allies Should Keep ASEAN at the Center For the US and its allies, the rise of ASEAN as a significant economic power will help to bring greater symmetry and balance to managing this critical period of transition in the Indo-Pacific region.15 Houthis Stopping Oil Tankers Is a Threat to Maritime Security The Iran-backed Houthi militias’ refusal to implement a legitimate Yemen government order on collecting customs fees on all oil derivative revenues at Hodeidah port has led the halt of ten vessels in the Red Sea.16 Iran Detains Gulf Vessel over Fuel Smuggling to UAE A ship allegedly smuggling diesel fuel to the United Arab Emirates has been detained by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps naval forces.17 Saudi Arabia Joins US Maritime Operation in Persian Gulf after Oil Attacks The Saudi government has decided to join the U.S. led maritime coalition in the Gulf. The Saudi government defended its decision by saying it must “deter and counter threats in the global maritime trade routes.”.18 US Ready to Stand Up to Chinese Challenge in Indo-Pacific Assistant Secretary, East Asian and Pacific Affairs, State Department, told a Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Beijing’s maritime force has been trying to intimidate Vietnam and other ASEAN countries away from developing oil and gas resources in the South China Sea.19 15 http://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/why-us-and-its-allies-should-keep-asean-centre 16 https://www.albawaba.com/news/do-houthis-stoppage-oil-tankers-threat-maritime-security-1308746 17 https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/iran-detains-gulf-vessel-over-fuel-smuggling-uae-iranian-media 18 https://www.dw.com/en/saudi-arabia-joins-us-maritime-operation-in-persian-gulf-after-oil-attacks/a-50469817 19 https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/amp/us-ready-to-stand-up-to-chinese-challenge-in-indopacific/1622747 03 Security and Diplomacy 04 Monitor September 2019 Maritime Study Forum Monitor September 2019 Maritime Economy Pakistan News Pakistan Needs to Focus on Developing Seaports Logistics and transportation infrastructure in a country is not only important for the local small scale business but also helps in expediting national exports.20 What’s Next to CPEC? The ending of the first phase of CPEC is just a beginning of renaissance for Pakistan. There is more to come. The dawn of the second phase of CPEC is just around the corner and it will be focused on socio-economic development.21 Tax Holiday for Gwadar Port Brings It at Par with Dubai and Singapore Pakistan has decided to declare its deep-sea port of Gwadar a duty-free zone along the lines of the Dubai and Singapore models.22 Govt Incentivizes Private Sector to Boost Shipping Sector The government has approved the new tax incentive policy for private companies so that it could help boost the maritime sector of the country and generate more employment for seafarers.23 CPEC and Gwadar The development of Gwadar port and a Naval Base at Ormara has significantly improved Pakistan’s overall strategic posture with respect to the perennial Indian threat by providing it the much-needed strategic depth.24 20 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2047167/2-pakistan-needs-focus-developing-seaports/ 21 https://dailytimes.com.pk/458876/whats-next-to-cpec/ 22 https://www.arabnews.com/node/1548496/pakistan 23 https://www.urdupoint.com/en/business/govt-incentivizes-private-sector-to-boost-shi-715592.html 24 https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/09/16/cpec-and-gwadar/ 04 Maritime Economy 05 Maritime Study Forum Monitor September 2019 Maritime Economy Regional News PM Modi’s Russian Visit: Maritime Route Connecting Chennai with Vladivostok to be Explored India and Russia are expected to firm up a five-year roadmap for deeper cooperation in the oil and gas sector apart from sealing a raft of agreements in several key areas.25 India to Go Ahead with $3.1 bn US Deal for Maritime Patrol Aircraft India is set to go to a deal with the U.S.