Strategic Competition > Strategic Domains
Maritime & Sea Lane Security
Protecting the Arteries of Global Commerce, Security, and Influence
“In a world of chokepoints and contested logistics, maritime power remains the backbone of global leadership.”
Greeting sailors during the commissioning of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).
🔹 Strategic Context
- This page is part of WISC’s Strategic Competition framework, applying geoeconomic statecraft through the STEAD model — integrating Security, Technology, Economics, Alliances, and Diplomacy — to secure U.S. leadership across critical domains.
Why Maritime & Sea Lane Security Matters
- Sea lanes are the vital arteries of global commerce, carrying:
- 90% of world trade by volume
- 60% of global energy supplies
- Essential components of defense, supply chains, and digital connectivity (via undersea cables)
- Authoritarian regimes seek to:
- Militarize maritime chokepoints
- Coerce coastal states
- Threaten freedom of navigation and economic security
- Strategic leadership requires a persistent, resilient, and allied maritime presence to secure the openness of the seas.
Strategic Priorities for Securing Strategic Sea Lanes
- Expand Maritime Domain Awareness and Security: Strengthen surveillance, intelligence sharing, and naval presence in key chokepoints—the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and beyond.
- Strengthen Naval and Commercial Maritime Resilience: Invest in hardening critical commercial shipping, port infrastructure, and undersea cables against cyber, physical, and hybrid threats.
- Deepen Maritime Security Cooperation: Expand joint patrols, exercises, and security agreements with trusted allies and partners across Indo-Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean regions.
- Reinforce Legal and Normative Defenses of Maritime Freedom: Uphold UNCLOS principles and contest coercive claims through diplomatic, legal, and strategic communications tools.
- Integrate Maritime Strategy with Economic and Digital Resilience: Protect shipping routes not just for physical goods but for financial flows, energy supply, and digital connectivity.
Insights & Engagements
🏛️ Engaging Administration or Congress, 📰 Op-Ed / Article / Quoted ✍️ Policy Brief 👥 Roundtable / Visit 🎤 Speaking / Moderating 🎥 TV/Video 🌐 Global
Modernizing U.S. Maritime Capabilities
Reinforcing Maritime Commerce Resilience
Securing the Arctic
Securing Indo-Pacific Sea Lanes
Protecting Undersea Infrastructure
Ensuring Freedom of Navigation
Closing Principle
Maritime power is a pillar of strategic competition. The U.S. must invest in sea control, shipping resilience, and allied naval cooperation to safeguard economic lifelines, deter aggression, and project global influence.
👉 Related Pages
🔷 Featured Insights
It's Time for a Comprehensive National Maritime Strategy - Op-Ed in War on the Rocks with Dr. Jeff Kucik - March 28, 2024
America’s Maritime Blind Spot: How China is Gaining the Upper Hand on the High Seas - Wilson Center Policy Brief with Christa Brzozowski - March 5, 2025
Global Ports and US Maritime Strategy: Critical to Competitiveness and Daily Life - Wilson Center Now Interview - October 10, 2024
360° View of Policies Needed to Secure Shipping Chokepoints - Wilson Center Experts - February 13, 2024
Strategic Competition Demands America Up Its Game in Maritime Commerce - Report of Wilson Center Roundtable - May 8, 2023
The Geopolitical Importance of Southeast Asia and the Pacific - Fireside Chat with Rep. Norcross and Rep. Wittman - October 7, 2022
Marine Corps Risks Moving Too Fast, but Also Too Slow - Letter in Wall Street Journal - April 2, 2022