Global collaboration will ensure stability at sea

More than 80 percent of global trade is carried by sea. A stable maritime order is, therefore, the cornerstone of the global economy. However, today's international landscape has become increasingly complex due to geopolitical shifts, regional conflicts and non-traditional security threats.

When the maritime order is disrupted, the impact on maritime transportation is immediate. Shipping costs rise, supply chains fracture, and ultimately the pace of global economic recovery slows.

As a port administrator in Sihanoukville, I witnessed how sensitive international trade is to the global security environment. Without security, there is no efficiency, and without stability, there is no prosperity.

In an era of economic globalization, a country's interests are no longer confined to its own borders, especially when it comes to maritime and shipping. No single country can protect these growing overseas interests alone. The following steps can help in this direction.

First, we must uphold international laws and respect the established maritime order. A fair and rules-based international framework provides fundamental legal protection for our overseas assets and personnel.

Second, we must strengthen collaborative security mechanisms. Protecting overseas interests means sharing information, conducting joint patrols along critical waterways, and providing mutual assistance in times of crisis. Through international cooperation, we can build a robust safety net for global shipping lanes.

Third, we must embrace the vision of a maritime community with a shared future, a vision that captures the reality of modern trade with great clarity. All stakeholders and partners in the maritime industry should collaborate closely and continue harnessing advanced technologies, intelligent port systems and green initiatives to make international shipping safer and more resilient.

Also, when we help secure a shipping lane, we are not merely protecting one country's overseas investments. We are protecting the entire global supply chain for the world economy.