North Arabian Sea (NAS) is of great importance for Pakistan Maritime interests. It has Gwadar, straits and SLOCs passing in its backyard. Its sginifance has increased considerably with the envisioning of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) concept in 2015. CPEC project through Gwadar would reduce present 32 days sea route to six days.

Transportation cost would be reduced to US$200-250 per 40 feet container with a time frame of two-three days than to present US$2,000 with 16 days’ time period. Thus, any threat to ships safety in this area can have great repercussions for CPEC & in turn Pakistan. In other words, success of CPEC revolves around a secure NAS.

The North Arabian Sea’s security is vital for safeguarding Pakistan’s SLOCs and the success of the CPEC initiative.

In contrast to the general perception, Non-Traditional threats are a reality and therefore safeguarding NAS is the prime objective of Pakistan. Maritime AOR of Pakistan in North Arabian Sea, Pakistan Natural Maritime Area of Influence is depicted below.

Maritime Security Spans:

1. Conventional Maritime Issues which includes country sovereignty & disputes pertaining to territories etc.
2. Non-Traditional Threats i.e. Maritime Terrorism, Piracy, Narcotics & Human Trafficking Etc.

Maritime terrorism can be defined in different ways depending upon the particular threat a state is facing. In order to have a standardized understanding of same, Jane Intelligence Review has defined it as “The deliberate creation and exploitation of fear through violence or the threat of violence in the pursuit of political change, in the maritime domain.”

Pakistan Navy’s Task Force 88 and PMSA play key roles in countering threats like piracy, maritime terrorism, and smuggling.

Maritime Terrorism in its different form including but not limited to Piracy, Drug trafficking etc is but a reality & maritime security is directly linked to the world economy. For example, since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict, shipping costs have gone up by more than 600% due to terrorist attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

Importance of Maritime security and its impacts can be seen in the terrorist attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea since January 2024 that was carried out by Houtis of Yemen. Two major incidents are appended below:

1. The USA registered MV Genco Picardy was the victim of Houthi rebel threats on commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea in January 2024.
2. As recently as 01 Dec 2024, two USA Destroyers (USS Stockdale & USS O’Kane) shot half a dozen Houtis launched munitions while escorting three US Flagged merchant ships through Gulf of Aden. The escorting of Merchant vessel by US CENTCOM forces in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is a clear testimony of the contemporary maritime terrorism existence close to Pakistani waters.

Even UNO through its Conference on Trade and Development has alerted that present wave of Maritime Terrorism in Gulf of Aden &  Red Sea will “particularly” harm developing countries and have an impact on global food prices.. Its impact can be gauged from the following:

1. The largest shipping companies in all around world prefer to avoid using Suez Canal but rather transport Cape of Good Hope with their filled ships of containers. It needs to be noted that traveling through Southern Africa adds $1 million to fuel expense.
2. Traffic through the Red Sea got down to 53 percent on that recorded during the first half of January 2024.
3. It has also resulted in oil prices briefly reaching $82.06 a barrel before settling at $78.29 a barrel.
4. Presently Pakistan freight charges are US 8 $ Bn which is likely to be increased US 13.35 $ Bn in case of breakup of any maritime related hostilities.
5. While Cape of Good Hope passages have increased by 70%, Suez Canal passages have decreased interimly by 63% from the previous year. The increase in ship diversions increases fuel and labor costs while decreasing the average amount of cargo traffic reaching its destination.
6. Shipping rates from Asia to North Europe and Asia-to-Mediterranean have more than doubled, reaching over $4,000 and $5,175 per 40-foot container, respectively. Insurance companies are reluctant to cover shipments in the Red Sea, resulting in a war risk surcharge of US$ 5,200, benefiting insurers.
7. Egypt’s has suffered immense losses due to ship routes changes from Suez. As of first quarter of Year 2024, revenues are down to upto 40 percent in comparison to 2023 levels.

Maritime significance of maritime security derives from the fact that CPEC links the Middle East, the North Arabian Sea, and the vast Indian Ocean. Therefore, Pakistan’s top priority is maritime security.

Maritime security is important for any state which has sea frontiers for the obvious securing of its SLOCs, commerce from different state and non-state actors, Pakistan is no exception. However, being a country of continental mindset, it’s realized the same very late. Pakistan interest was further compounded in its maritime security particularly North Arabian sea which surrounds the Pakistani territorial waters & Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) during last two decades by the exponential growth of India.

Maritime terrorism, as seen in Red Sea attacks, underscores the global importance of securing critical sea lanes.

Furthermore, India’s growing gestures of terming Indian Ocean as its own, the growing USA and Western power interest in NAS and Persian Gulf to contain Iran and CPEC with China also add up to growing maritime interest by the Pakistani Government.

Pakistan Navy (PN) is the kingpin of maritime defences and protection of SLOCs. PN achieve this through regular sea exercises including once a year, SEA SPARK, IDEAS and regular war gaming of its assets in the NAS, till strait of Hurmuz. PN has a vast array of fleet including Destroyers ships, Submarines, Small Missile Boats, Gun Boats and Maritime Aircraft. Their deployment is based on the threat perception.  A task force 88 has particularly been raised for CPEC.

The objectives are to be deployed in a minimum time period in case of any emergency. PN Base Ormara is in close proximity to gwadar and it’s the second naval base of PN after Karachi. Additionally, two of its ships are permanently deployed in NAS and Red Sea area for countering Sea terrorism, Sea Narco trade, human smuggling and curbing piracy with US led coalitions.

The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) is a civil armed power functioning under the Ministry of Defense. It was granted authorization to confront these threats by an Act of Parliament identified as the PMSA Act of 1994, as well as by other international instruments.  The main objective of PMSA is to keep maritime peace and order while using a mechanized, well-prepared, and well-coordinated force.

In addition to upholding maritime deterrence by confiscating illegal drugs and smuggling goods into and out of Pakistan, the PMSA handles all aspects of human rights and welfare.  PMSA is particularly very successful against illegal fishing, sea narcotics operations and human smuggling. Its western fleet patrol Gwadar and Gwatar bay on regular bases for creating deterrence.

A secure maritime domain supports Pakistan’s economic stability, linking the Middle East, NAS, and the Indian Ocean through CPEC.

National economy is a synonym for national security, and maritime economy is integral part of national economy. Therefore, Pakistan need long term maritime vision & policy. Notwithstanding the efforts of Pakistan’s Navy and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) the potential dangers necessitate continued vigilance and preparedness by all stakeholders.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.