ABSTRACT
The vast majority of maritime security studies tend to subordinate ocean-related threats within traditional, universal themes in international relations, such as inter-state disputes, balance of power, collective security, or regime building. Specific topic areas such as maritime criminality (drug smuggling, human trafficking, illicit shipping of armaments), terrorism, and port security have generally received less attention. With the rise in the significance and role of the blue economy in global politics and maritime affairs, however, littoral states and other international actors (inter-governmental organizations—IGOs, non-governmental organizations—NGOs, and transnational corporations—TNCs) involved with international security, ocean governance, and maritime policy have finally begun to give maritime issues a high priority on their security agendas. To that end, this chapter argues that it is high time for the International Relations (IR) discipline to focus greater attention and research to the security threats in the maritime arena—specifically, on the topic of shipping and security.
