United Navies Emphasize Collaborative Strategies to Counter Evolving Maritime Threats

At the Paris Naval Conference 2025, held on February 4 and co-hosted by the French Navy and the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), senior naval leaders from around the world convened to address the escalating challenges in maritime security. The consensus was clear: the nature of threats at sea has transformed, necessitating a unified and collaborative response from global naval forces.

Emerging Maritime Threats

Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of Staff of the French Navy, highlighted the increasing audacity of various actors at sea, including the rise in violent activities. He pointed to the Red Sea, where since October 2023, Yemen-based Ansar Allah (Houthi) rebels have been targeting both commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. These attacks have posed significant threats to international shipping lanes, prompting oil executives to call for a cautious return to navigation through the Red Sea following a halt in attacks by the Houthis.

In the Baltic region, there have been numerous incidents since October 2023 where seabed cables and pipelines have been ruptured, possibly due to 'ghost fleet' ships dragging their anchors at speed across the seabed. These 'ghost fleet' vessels are believed to be involved in circumventing international maritime sanctions on oil exports targeted at certain countries. Such activities not only disrupt the maritime economy but also challenge international regulations and the integrity of critical underwater infrastructure.

The Imperative of Collective Action

Rear Admiral Oliver Berdal, Chief of the Royal Norwegian Navy, emphasized the intertwined nature of military and civilian challenges in maritime security. He noted that the majority of global goods are transported by sea, with 99% of all global communications relying on fiber-optic cables laid on the seabed. Given this dependency, any disruption poses a significant threat to the modern global economy. The Royal Norwegian Navy is strengthening its collaboration with the nation's civil maritime sector to address threats to shipping and critical underwater infrastructure.

However, legal complexities arise when incidents occur in international waters. If a 'shadow fleet' vessel damages infrastructure in such areas, nearby countries or naval vessels must approach the ship's flag state, leading to potentially lengthy and complex legal and political processes. Rear Admiral Berdal highlighted the difficulty of changing international law and the limited means available for decisive action in these scenarios. He stressed the need for countries, allies, and partners to demonstrate a willingness to address these challenges, even in the absence of comprehensive legal frameworks.

Securing the Global Maritime Commons

Admiral Sir Ben Key, the UK Royal Navy’s First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, discussed the fundamental role of navies in securing the global maritime trading system. He pointed out that current threats include sea denial tactics employed by organizations without traditional naval capabilities or maritime understanding. This shift necessitates a reevaluation of naval strategies to ensure the continued security of trade and economic activities.

Rear Admiral Soren Kjeldsen of the Royal Danish Navy echoed the sentiment, noting that modern sea denial is often executed by civilian actors and through hybrid warfare tactics. To manage these challenges, he advocated for establishing a recognized maritime picture through collaboration with civilian actors, owners of critical underwater infrastructure, and merchant vessel operators. This approach also involves cooperation with various government agencies, reflecting the shared responsibilities in maritime security.

The Path Forward

Vice Admiral Jeffrey Anderson, Commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, acknowledged the exacerbation of threats by hybrid tactics employed by both state and non-state actors, particularly from the Eastern Mediterranean to the North Atlantic. He emphasized the importance of leveraging both formal structures, such as NATO, and informal multilateral frameworks to address these challenges. The overarching message was clear: effective maritime security in the face of evolving threats requires unified and collaborative action among nations and their naval forces.

In conclusion, the Paris Naval Conference 2025 underscored the necessity for enhanced cooperation, information sharing, and collective action among global navies to address the complex and evolving threats in the maritime domain. As the nature of these threats continues to change, so too must the strategies and collaborations designed to counter them, ensuring the security and stability of the global maritime commons.