Geopolitics of the Seas & Oceans: Shipping Routes & Choke Points

According to the factsheet, what percentage of global trade in terms of volume is accounted for by maritime trade as of 2024?

• 80%

• 50%

• 30%

• 95%

Containerisation has made loading or unloading a ship a more time-consuming task.

• True

• False

Name two strategic maritime choke points shown on the map in Figure 1.

• Strait of Malacca, Suez Canal

• Bering Strait, Panama Canal

• Strait of Gibraltar, English Channel

• Bosporus Strait, Bab el-Mandeb

Maritime zones are considered a major source of geopolitical issues because:

• they often involve overlapping territorial claims and valuable resources.

• they are always peaceful and free from disputes.

• they have no impact on international relations.

• they are not regulated by any international laws.

There is a correlation between the location and density of global shipping routes and global development levels. Which statement best accounts for this correlation?

• Shipping routes are denser near developed regions because these areas have higher trade volumes and economic activity.

• Shipping routes are randomly distributed and do not relate to development levels.

• Less developed regions have the densest shipping routes due to lower trade barriers.

• Shipping routes avoid developed regions to minimize congestion.

Using Figures 1 and 3, there is a correlation between the location and density of global shipping routes and the location of the world’s crude oil reserves.

• Shipping routes are denser near major crude oil reserves.

• Shipping routes avoid areas with crude oil reserves.

• There is no correlation between shipping routes and crude oil reserves.

• Shipping routes are denser in areas with no crude oil reserves.

According to the case study, what is one of the main reasons for Singapore's success as a maritime nation?

• Its large population

• Its strategic location between Europe and Asia at the Strait of Malacca

• Its production of crude oil

• Its high import duties

Fill in the blank: The Port of Singapore reported a container throughput of _______ Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) in 2022.

• 37.3 million

• 25.8 million

• 42.1 million

• 30.5 million

Which of the following is NOT a key reason for Singapore's maritime success?

• It is a free port with low import duties

• It produces large amounts of crude oil

• It has Free Trade Agreements with many countries

• It is a top transshipment hub

What is a maritime choke point?

• A maritime choke point is a strategic, narrow passage that connects two larger areas and is critical for global shipping and trade.

• A maritime choke point is a type of ship used for transporting goods across oceans.

• A maritime choke point is a weather phenomenon that affects coastal regions.

• A maritime choke point is a law regulating fishing in international waters.