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The Straits of Malacca is the shortest and most preferred route for the transportation of oil using tankers less than 250,000 DWT (dead weight tonnage) and other goods plying between the Persian Gulf and East Asian countries. There is evidence that the Straits of Malacca is widely used by as many as 300 ships in both directions daily, although it is not the only SLOC in the region, and the number is increasing.To provide for an uninterrupted and safe navigation within the Straits, a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) has been established off One Fathom Bank and in the Northern approach to the Singapore Straits. Shipmasters are bound to follow the specific routes and general direction of the flow of the Straits to avoid any eventuality of collision and grounding.

International Economic Importance

In contemporary times, the Straits of Malacca still has a significant bearing on the international economy. The exploitation of the Straits for shipping continues to increase as globalisation expands. Growing economic activities around the world result in a bigger demand for transportation and maritime transportation continues to monopolies the bulk of the world's economy. As trade between East and West of the Straits increases, so does the usage of the Straits of Malacca. It is therefore essential to ensure the security and freedom of SLOCs within the region. The reasons are as follows:

a.Energy Source. For Asian countries oil is the main source of energy. 60 per cent of Asian oil consumed in 2003 was imported from the Middle East. The maritime energy trade in the region has resulted in increased numbers of tankers and Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), Liquid Purified Gas (LPG) carriers plying regional shipping routes. Nearly two-thirds of crude oil imports of the Northeast Asian countries from the Middle East passes the Straits of Malacca daily, which represents 23 per cent of the global total or approximately 4 billion barrels.LNG shipments through the Straits of Malacca and South China Sea constitute two-third of the world's overall LNG trade. The supply of energy and its unimpeded transportation become major security concerns in the region.

b.Regional Trade. Maritime transportation is the most essential mode of efficient and economical transport of cargo within the Asian Pacific countries. The Asia Pacific region contributed one-third of the world's maritime trade commodities volume, in excess of 1.5 billion tons. The usage of the SLOCs by the regional countries within the East Asia region in 1994 saw USD949.5 billion worth of international trade, with important players like Japan and China monopolizing the trade constituting 39 per cent, or US 260.4 billion, and 27 per cent, or USD 65.6 billion, respectively from their total trade.

c.Regional Shipping Fleet. Nearly half of the largest container-shipping lanes and 18 of the world's top container ports in the world are based in Asia. The rapid growth of Asia Pacific economies has made the Straits the center of international navigation. The Northeast Asian countries (South Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong) own 30.05 per cent of the total world shipping tonnage or equivalent to 201,645 DWT. The S本论文由英语论文网提供整理，提供论文代写，英语论文代写，代写论文，代写英语论文，代写留学生论文，代写英文论文，留学生论文代写相关核心关键词搜索。