Modern Maritime Trade Warfare

Abstract

Due to an arguably decreased likelihood of total war and the recent focus on the reduction of collateral damage, the techniques used to affect maritime trade in past conflicts become less likely to be used and less desirable strategically. Without the willingness or ability to sink shipping on a large scale, it seems the modern merchant fleet is less vulnerable to the effects of maritime trade warfare. However, this paper argues that effective and timely use of modern capabilities and techniques against an adversary's maritime trade provides the user with significant negotiating leverage during a limited war. Diplomacy in support of Maritime Interdiction Operations, cyber operations against enemy shipping infrastructure, the use of Maritime Exclusion Zones to interfere with shipping networks, and GPS jamming or spoofing of merchant vessels are discussed and analyzed for their potential effectiveness. Finally, recommendations are made to allow the operational commander to prepare in peacetime for modern maritime trade warfare.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 20, 2013
Accession Number
ADA583526

Entities

People

  • James B. Howell

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Communication Systems
  • Cyberspace Operations
  • Information Operations
  • Infrastructure
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Marine Transportation
  • Merchant Vessels
  • Military Operations
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • Space Systems
  • Warfare

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Cyber
  • Space