A Southeast Asian defense official recently highlighted the critical balance the region faces in maritime security, stating, “If we say prioritize everything, then we might as well say prioritize nothing.” This underscores the complexities of addressing maritime security challenges amid rising strategic competition, particularly evident in the South China Sea with issues like grey zone coercion and threats to undersea cables.
Maritime security is essential for Southeast Asia, home to crucial sea lanes like the Malacca Strait and significant archipelagic nations, including Indonesia and the Philippines. The region faces notable disputes, including territorial conflicts in the South China Sea, which tend to attract media attention due to their kinetic nature. However, broader maritime challenges, such as piracy, illegal fishing, marine debris, and disaster preparedness, require equal attention for sustainable development.
The recent intensification of major power competition complicates these efforts. Countries must prepare for threats beyond traditional military confrontations, including maritime cyberattacks and the securitization of economic cooperation. Despite the pressing need for maritime domain awareness (MDA), many Southeast Asian nations struggle with inadequate situational awareness in their waters. True MDA goes beyond data access; it involves effective data sharing and actionable insights. Even recent initiatives, like the maritime pillar of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, highlight the complexity of the agenda, listing over 25 priority items.
Addressing these maritime security challenges is feasible but requires a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach. Progressive Southeast Asian nations are essential for this effort. New initiatives such as the ASEAN Maritime Outlook and the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum aim to modernize and streamline regional maritime security efforts. Countries like Indonesia and the Philippines have pivotal roles, while Thailand and Singapore contribute with past work in sustainability and submarine safety, respectively. Other pressing issues—like boundary disputes and illegal fishing in the South China Sea—must also be addressed regardless of broader ASEAN-China relations.
External actors can support these efforts, collaborating with ASEAN and individual states to address overlapping agendas. It is essential to avoid binary thinking, particularly the zero-sum perspective between minilateral and multilateral engagements. The Quad nations can enhance their contributions by assisting Southeast Asian states in maritime technology capacity-building. The G-7’s focus on maritime supply chain resilience and food security can bolster cooperation, and organizations like the International Cable Protection Committee can aid in improving cable repair processes.
Managing the intersection of major power competition and comprehensive maritime security challenges in Southeast Asia is not straightforward. Indeed, evolving crises can transform policymakers’ focus rapidly. However, persistently striving for a balanced, adaptive, and inclusive approach will promote sustainable maritime governance in the region. By collaborating effectively within the region and with outside partners, Southeast Asia can navigate its crowded maritime agenda and enhance security for all involved.
