The maritime domain is facing increasing uncertainty. There is a need to look at the larger strategic picture of how maritime order is changing.

Yesterday, we discussed the Arctic and the Strait of Hormuz as two vital and strategic maritime regions at a public event organized by the Academy of International Affairs NRW in Bonn. Key takeaways:

The maritime domain is increasingly becoming a contested and ever more politicized space. Contestation over Greenland, the Panama Canal, but also the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb are indicators.

Grey-zone and hybrid threats are prevailing and challenge interpretations of the rules and laws of the sea.

Geopolitical fragmentation and new uncertainty provides opportunities for maritime crime syndicates, as seen in the recent resurgence of Somali piracy.

The Strait of Hormuz exemplifies how the proliferation of low-cost weapon systems challenges conventional understandings of naval dominance and control of waterways.

It is vital to look beyond the immediate and maintain a strategic outlook on how multilateral mechanisms can strengthen maritime order in the light of these challenges.

Given the gridlock at the global level, regional and minilateral initiatives will be key to ensuring maritime security.