Page 67 - MDSL Final

NEW DYNAMICS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION
These vital maritime traffic lanes link the Middle East, Africa, and East
Asia with Europe and the Americas. This sea routes are congested with
heavy traffic of ships which carries energy and petroleum products
from the oil rich countries of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia.The Indian

Ocean is responsible for many strategically important choke points, such
as the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Malacca, Lombok and the Sunda
Straits. In case of any disorder in the smooth traffic flow over these key
points, catastrophic results could be created. Any type of action like a
terrorist activity or break out of a war could be led to the shutting down
of the Strait of Hormuz. This would cut off Gulf oil supplies to the West.
Likewise, the closing of the Strait of Malacca passage, through which
nearly 9.4 million barrels of oil flow per day can extremely impend the

economies of Southeast Asia, China and Japan. Furthermore, the
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distance from Sri Lanka to Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca
is approximately 2000nm meaning that Sri Lanka is centrally located in
the most important maritime route between Persian Gulf and Indonesia
paving the way for any support and quick response for the SLOC and
littorals of the IOR.

The sea trade is not a new concept for the countries of the IOR. It
goes back to many centuries where traders and seafarers transported
commodities from East to West and vice versa. At present 90
percent of world trade take place at sea. One half of the entire
world’s container traffic is passing through IOR. The sea lines of
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communication (SLOC) in IOR is strategically very important to the
entire world. Any disturbance or interruption to unimpeded flow
of this traffic would create a huge influence to the world economy.

To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea 49