In a global context marked by war in Ukraine and growing tensions geopolitical, Exporters and Investors Club has issued a serious warning about the need for Europe to urgently address the challenges and threats to freedom of navigation.
This call for attention is based on the Technical Note “Geopolitics and International Maritime Transport: Current Geostrategic Risks”, made for Abel Romero Junquera, Captain (R) and analyst at the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies. The report highlights the crucial dependence of world trade on maritime transport, which handles nearly 85% of the volume and 75% of the value of goods. Romero Junquera warns that this model is increasingly threatened by risks ranging from piracy to the strategic control of key routes by emerging powers.
The Exporters Club notes with concern that the EU Maritime Security Strategy, updated in 2023, continues to focus primarily on non-state threats, such as illicit trafficking and piracy.
The Exporters Club regrets that the current strategy does not address the risks arising from tensions between states, which could have serious consequences for the stability of global trade.
Europe with limited naval resources
Despite its enormous dependence on maritime trade and its position as one of the main economic and commercial powers worldwide, Europe faces a significant limitation in its ability to protect its global maritime interests. The continent's vulnerability is evident in its dependence on key routes such as the Sea of Southern China, through which nearly 40% of its trade passes and which currently stands out as one of the regions with the greatest geopolitical instability.
Given this situation, the Exporters Club considers it "urgent" that the European Union develop a joint maritime strategy that strengthens its naval presence in strategic areas such as the Indo-Pacific and the ArcticThe main objective would be to ensure the protection of trade routes and the stability of European interests at a global level.
The trade organization highlights the alarming decline in European navies over the past 30 years, from more than 300 ships to fewer than 200, with serious deficiencies in logistical support for long-range operations. In contrast, powers such as China have significantly strengthened their maritime power by building fleets and expanding their maritime network. strategic ports.
"Neither the member states nor the European Union have sufficient naval resources to defend their maritime interests or guarantee the security of trade routes," the Exporters Club states.
Call to action for Spain and the EU
In this critical context, the Exporters Club strongly calls on Spain and its European partners to take a more active role in defending freedom of navigation. The organization proposes promote a coordinated approach within the EU and NATO framework to secure the most vital trade routes.
“Maritime trade is vital to the Spanish and European economies. Spain, as a country with a strong maritime presence, must actively contribute to raising awareness of the problem and participate in the search for solutions at the diplomatic, security, and defense levels,” the Exporters Club concludes, urging decisive action to protect maritime interests and the continent's economic stability.
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