Last week, the Indian Defence Ministry’s Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDSL) acquired the Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC), strengthening India’s position in Sri Lanka’s marine sector in comparison to rival China. Since 2010, China and India, two regional giants, have shown interested in Colombo port due to its strategic location in the Indian Ocean. Additionally, the […]
Throughout history, the Indian Ocean has been central to global trade, connecting the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. This vast expanse, the world’s third-largest ocean, has become a hub for economic growth, conflict, and regional power competition. India’s increasing involvement in the Indo-Pacific reflects the region’s growing significance in […]
Marine botanists have discovered two new species of economically important red seaweed along the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Daman and Diu. These species, Hypnea bullata and Hypnea indica, contain carrageenan, a biomolecule widely used in the food industry. Additionally, incorporating small amounts of these seaweeds in animal feed has been shown to significantly […]
Indo-Pacific countries are participating in a UN-led training initiative to combat organized crime in the Indian Ocean, focusing on enhancing maritime security. This initiative, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), involves drills like the one near Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, where local military personnel intercepted a smuggling ship and quickly uncovered […]
Less than two months after its delivery to CMA CGM, the LNG-powered dual-fuel containership CMA CGM Belem lost 99 containers off South Africa’s east coast due to severe weather on August 15, 2024. The vessel, with a capacity of 13,000 TEU, encountered adverse conditions near Richards Bay, leading to a significant stow collapse. Initially, the […]
They aim to halt Africa’s significant project. Energy from Spain could jeopardize the Indian Ocean. Recently, several large-scale projects linked to cleaner energy forms have emerged, such as the initiative to mass-produce a highly sought-after fuel. Renewable energies are gaining traction, shaping a very promising future. These renewable energies are not only inexhaustible but also […]
Opponents of deep sea mining faced a major setback as they failed to initiate an international moratorium on the practice. Despite delivering key minerals for renewable energy, deep sea mining poses significant environmental risks. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) debated the issue for the first time, but a draft promoting a policy for marine protection […]
Congresswoman Young Kim, chairman of the Subcommittee on Indo-Pacific in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed concerns over China’s increasing influence in the Indian Ocean and South Asia during a Congressional hearing. Highlighting the significance of the Indian Ocean for global trade, with 80% of maritime oil trade and 40% of world trade passing through […]
The Indian Ocean Region (IOR), bridging the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, is a critical axis of global trade and geopolitical interest. Experts convened at a webinar by CUTS International discussed the IOR’s strategic, economic, and environmental roles. Bipul Chattopadhyay, Executive Director of CUTS International, emphasized viewing the IOR not just through a strategic lens but […]
The Geopolitical Cartographer hosted the 30th Prime Minister of Australia Hon. Scott Morrison for a pivotal talk titled “Australia and the Indian Ocean” at the Grand Crystal Ballroom of the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo. The event, followed by a discussion and moderated question-and-answer session led by Geopolitical Cartographer Co-Patron Mohamed Nasheed, former President of […]
