Les Détroits de Malacca et de Singapour : États littoraux et États usagers

As the Malacca and Singapore Straits are part of the shortest route between Europe and Asia, any impedance to shipping has serious military and commercial repercussions. A series of issues are raised: what are the major threats to maritime security and sea lines of communications; what measures have been taken to protect navigational safety; and what would be the consequences to tankers and container shipping if access was restricted or prohibited? These issues are addressed by examining navigational safety and oil pollution, piracy and armed robbery, and the measures taken by the coastline and user states in combating them. An assessment of the cost of using alternative routes to the Straits is made. Distinctions are explored between tanker and container shipping to challenge the conventional wisdom on choke-points.