Navy Chief DK Tripathi warns of growing strain on global sea trade

Navy Chief Admiral DK Tripathi on Tuesday warned of growing strain on global maritime trade, citing conflicts, coercion, and catastrophic events as key stressors affecting sea lanes and economic stability.

Speaking at the inauguration of the seventh edition of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue in New Delhi, Admiral Tripathi said smuggling networks were increasingly moving narcotics, arms, and even sanctioned commodities to finance terror groups and fuel instability. Around thirty delegates from partner nations are attending the dialogue.

The Navy chief said in today’s turbulent era of fluid alignments and complex challenges, maritime security could no longer be viewed solely through the prism of threat containment.

“Global seaborne trade is showing signs of strain due to conflicts, coercion, or catastrophe, “ the Admiral said citing a recent report, global seaborne trade growth is projected to stall to 0.5% in 2025 – a sharp drop from the 2.2% growth in 2024.

Such contraction signals strategic fragility. The seas are witnessing a surge in activities that blur the lines between competition, crime, and conflict. Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy, arms and narcotics trafficking, and human smuggling have emerged as major maritime stress points, he added.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), IUU fishing activities are responsible for the loss of 11 to 26 million tonnes of fish each year, which is estimated to have an economic value of $ 10 to 23 billion.

At the same time, smuggling networks are increasingly exploiting ungoverned maritime spaces and weak enforcement regimes to move narcotics, arms, and even sanctioned commodities, for financing terror networks and fuelling instability ashore.

The Navy chief cited how disruptive technologies have dissolved the traditional barriers of scale and sophistication. Artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and commercial satellites are now reshaping maritime awareness and response strategies.

Technological acceleration also brings vulnerability to cyber intrusions, signal spoofing, and persistent surveillance. In the Indian Ocean Region alone, recent assessments recorded near-daily episodes of GPS jamming and electronic interference.

The wider Indo-Pacific, therefore, demands regional and sub-regional approaches that respect local realities, while reinforcing shared objectives. Holistic security must reconcile inclusivity with individuality - enabling every nation, large or small, to contribute according to its capacity, while drawing strength from collective purpose.