Strait of Malacca - Important Route from Global Economy
25% of whole global maritime trade happens through this small passage between Indonesia & Malaysia
Some Information of Malacca Strait
Malacca Strait is situated between Malaysian Peninsula & Indonesian Island Sumatra. It is a narrow stretch of water and around 930km in length. It is an important passage between Indian Ocean & South China Sea or Pacific Ocean. Every Shipment going to East or South East Asia has to go through this strait making it one of the busiest sea routes in the World. It is named after the Malacca Sultanate that ruled over the area which had its capital in modern day Malacca City in Malaysia.
History about Malacca Strait
Kedah, a city of Malacca Strait, was an active port in old times. Traders from Arab, Africa, Persia and South India stopped at Kedah before going to Guangzhou, China. It was and is an important trade route between India & China. It was controlled by many empires in history, most notably Srivijaya Empire controlled Malay Peninsula & Modern day Indonesia. They benefited from it immensely as tributes from Chinese and tax were flooding because of the strait. For a significant amount of time, Cholas had significant control over this strait. Another Empire named Malacca Sultanate ruled over the strait.
Why is Malacca Strait so Important?
Importance of Malacca Strait
Around World’s 25% of total global maritime trade passes through the Strait of Malacca. Around 80% of China’s and 90% of Japan’s Oil comes from this narrow strip of water between Indonesia & Malaysia and Gate Keeped by India, China’s Currently No.2 Enemy. It is not just useful for China but for all of East Asia - South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and most Importantly Singapore. Singapore has developed its economy because it is situated in such a strategic location, We would look into it further. It is a major connecting hub between the Middle East and East Asia. Many Countries Export, Import are dependent on it, So it has become very important in Geopolitics of not only Asia but of the whole world. The US frequently holds Navy Drills with Singapore on the shore of Malacca Strait.
Pirates in Strait of Malacca
Black Beads of Strait Of Malacca
As said, 25% of Global trade, 80% of China’s and 90% of Japan’s Oil travels from this strait. Other than this, Many Containers pass through it daily. Because of all of this traffic, it has become a hotbed for PIRATES. Not those One-Eyed Hook Hand Pirate, but a Pirate with a Rifle. Ships sailing from The Strait of Malacca have always had a fear of being abducted by Pirates. In 2005, more than $1 Million was paid as ransom to the Pirates. Piracy in Malacca Strait has been going on for centuries. Rulers used to rely on Pirate to assert dominance and control this region. Piracy in this region was mentioned in Chinese texts from 14th Century traveler Wang Dayuan. Piracy has reduced significantly from 2005. Nowadays, Most of the Pirates are from Indonesia as its navy is not that much developed, but I hope they will improve in future. Follow on this link for some latest Piracy news in Malacca Strait.
I will be soon posting about How India can take advantage of this Strait against China?. Please leave your views on it.