"Survival Over Efficiency"... Nations Reshape Maritime Supply Chain Crisis Response

[Maritime Supply Chain Emergency]

Full-scale Response to Maritime Chokepoints... Comprehensive Overhaul of Supply Chain Strategies

US and EU Focus on Naval Protection, China on Data Control

Southeast Asia Cooperates on Malacca Strait Risk Management

Yonhap News

As the Middle East conflict and the prolonged Red Sea crisis continue to destabilize global maritime supply chains, major countries are strengthening their response frameworks for maritime chokepoints. Policy responses are evolving beyond simple military actions to include comprehensive measures such as early warning systems (EWS), route diversification, strategic stockpiling, naval escorts, and supply chain data monitoring.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in its March report titled "Hormuz Strait Disruption: Impacts on World Trade and Development," analyzed that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are affecting not only energy markets but also maritime transportation and global supply chains as a whole. According to the report, the average daily number of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz dropped sharply from 141 vessels between February 1 and 27, before military tensions escalated, to single digits in early March.

The situation has not normalized since then. Last month, only about three ships per day passed through the Strait of Hormuz, and recently, some oil tankers have even traversed the strait with their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) turned off. The shipping and energy industries note that a "low-intensity blockade" has in effect persisted over an extended period.

The Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait are also considered core axes of supply chain risk. After Houthi rebel attacks on vessels, shipping companies have opted for the Cape of Good Hope route around Africa instead of the Red Sea, leading to a sharp decline in Suez Canal cargo volume. Last year, cargo volume through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait fell to about 35% of 2023 levels, while Suez Canal volume dropped to about 41%. Niels Rasmussen of shipping analytics firm BIMCO analyzed that, based on deadweight tonnage (DWT), Suez Canal transits in 2025 remained 57-64% lower than in 2023.

In response, countries are addressing maritime supply chain risks as a matter of economic security. The United States and the European Union (EU) are focusing on strengthening maritime protection systems. In February, the EU extended its naval operation "EUNAVFOR ASPIDES" to protect the Red Sea route until February 28, 2027. The EU Council explained that this operation aims to protect merchant vessels and ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait areas.

Japan is prioritizing an energy security-centered response. Given its high dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, Japan is reviewing options for diversifying Middle Eastern crude oil import sources and utilizing strategic stockpiles, while maintaining a cautious approach toward maritime security actions. China is accelerating efforts to monitor maritime logistics networks and secure alternative supply chains. As the risk in Hormuz grows, China is considering expanding energy imports from non-Middle Eastern sources such as Russia and Brazil, and is strengthening its capabilities in real-time logistics management using ship location and route data.

Southeast Asian countries are working together to manage the risks associated with the Malacca Strait. Following the Hormuz incident, the Malacca Strait has been re-highlighted as another key chokepoint, leading Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and others to recognize the growing need for cooperation on navigation safety and anti-piracy measures. Moving away from reliance on single routes, the new standard is becoming the operation of multiple routes, expansion of strategic stockpiles, and the establishment of early warning systems based on vessel and cargo data.

The shipping industry predicts that the longer maritime chokepoint risks persist, the more supply chain policies will focus on building "resilient systems that can withstand disruptions" rather than simply choosing "the cheapest route." An industry official stated, "In the past, the focus was on constructing the lowest-cost routes and supply chains, but now, resilience that allows the entire system to be maintained even if some segments are blocked has become more important," adding, "Both companies and governments are now rethinking their entire supply chain strategies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.