RED SEA ATTACK AND PANAMA CANAL DROUGHT

Issues in Red Sea

Issues in Panama Canal

1. Chemical tanker MV Chem Pluto struck by a drone attack, around 200 nautical miles off Gujarat's coast.

1. Shipping via the Panama Canal has dropped by over 50% due to drought conditions at the 51-mile stretch.

2. The Red Sea attacks are carried out by Yemen-based Houthi rebels, who have been in a civil war with the Yemeni government for about a decade.

2. Due to the shortage of water, ships moving from Asia to the US are being forced to use the Suez Canal, which takes six more days compared to the Panama Canal.

3. The disruption at the Red Sea route is estimated to push the prices of Indian agricultural products by 10 to 20 percent, as shipments would be routed through the Cape of Good Hope.

3. Panama is facing its driest rainy season in decades, raising fears of prolonged canal bottlenecks.

1. Huge Volume and Value Carrier

1. Maritime transport accounts to about 80% of global trade by volume and over 70% by value, far surpassing other modes of transportation as per the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

2. Energy Transportation

1. The majority of the world's energy resources, such as oil and natural gas, are transported by sea.
2. Tankers carry these resources from production areas to consuming regions, playing a critical role in meeting global energy demands.

1. Deploy Additional Warships

• INS Kochi, INS Mormugao, INS Kolkata and INS Chennai, in addition to a Talwar Class frigate – have been deployed at the Arabian Sea off the Gulf of Aden.

2. Joint Maritime Security Initiative

• Propose a collaborative security framework with key Red Sea stakeholders (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen) involving intelligence sharing, coordinated patrols, and joint exercises.

3. Deploy Advanced Surveillance Systems

•  Install integrated radar and drone surveillance systems along India's western coastline to enhance early threat detection and response capabilities.

4. Negotiate Preferential Access

•  Engage with Panama Canal authorities to explore preferential passage for Indian vessels or potential toll discounts for specific routes.