TERMINALE Les mers et océans au coeur de la mondialisation

Introduction to Oceans and Globalization

Overview of the Lesson

• The lesson focuses on the significance of seas and oceans in globalization, highlighting that Earth is often referred to as a "blue planet" due to the vast coverage of water bodies.

• These maritime spaces are crucial for facilitating the movement of goods and people between continents, concentrating wealth and resources.

Economic and Geostrategic Importance

• The chapter's central question explores why seas and oceans are strategic areas in globalization.

• Maritime trade has increased significantly since the 1970s, with global shipping traffic rising from 2.6 billion tons in 1970 to 11 billion tons by 2019.

Maritime Economy Trends

Growth of Maritime Trade

• The growth rate of maritime trade is double that of the global economy, indicating its increasing importance.

• Specialization in shipping vessels has emerged, including tankers for specific goods like liquefied natural gas (LNG), oil, and bulk carriers.

Containerization Revolution

• The introduction of standardized containers in the 1950s revolutionized maritime transport by simplifying loading and unloading processes.

• Modern container ships have dramatically increased in size, now capable of carrying up to 21,000 containers—equivalent to hundreds of trains or planes.

Resource Exploitation in Oceans

Fishing Industry Insights

• Approximately 80 million tons of fish are harvested annually; major fishing nations include China, the USA, and Indonesia.

• Overfishing poses a significant threat to marine resources; aquaculture is growing rapidly at about 5% per year.

Hydrocarbon Resources

• Offshore drilling accounts for one-third of global oil production; technological advancements allow deeper exploration but come with higher costs.

Renewable Energy Potential

Ocean-Based Renewable Energy Sources

• Seas contribute to renewable energy production through offshore wind farms and tidal energy systems.

Inequalities in Maritime Activities

Concentration Patterns

• Maritime transport is concentrated along major trade routes connecting key economic hubs primarily around the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and North Atlantic.

Regional Disparities

The Dynamics of Maritime Traffic and Strategic Passage Points

Concentration of Maritime Traffic

• The development of hubs has intensified maritime traffic concentration around major ports, with international maritime traffic primarily funneled through a main port, such as Rotterdam, which redistributes to secondary ports like Antwerp and Hamburg.

Major Global Ports

• The leading global ports are predominantly located in Asia, including Ningbo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tianjin. In contrast, the largest European port ranks only ninth globally across all traffic types.

Strategic Maritime Passages

• Key strategic passage points include vital straits such as Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb, Gibraltar, and Hormuz. These routes have become increasingly significant due to their economic implications.

Importance of International Canals

• The construction of international canals like Suez and Panama has historically shortened maritime routes. For instance, the 2015 expansion of the Suez Canal doubled its capacity to accommodate approximately 100 ships daily by 2023.

Naval Forces and Security Concerns

• Major naval powers deploy forces to secure these critical passages due to the high value of cargo transported through them. An example includes the establishment of an international force in 2012 to combat piracy in Bab-el-Mandeb.

China's Influence on Global Maritime Trade

Rise of China as a Maritime Power

• China has emerged as a key player in global maritime trade by concentrating industrial production and shipping flows. By 2019, it controlled nine out of the twenty largest ports worldwide.

New Silk Road Initiative

• Launched in 2013, China's Belt and Road Initiative aims to secure raw material transport between China, Africa, and Europe while financing infrastructure projects like Thailand's Kra Canal to bypass traditional routes.

Climate Change Impact on Shipping Routes

• Climate change is opening up Arctic shipping routes as alternatives for global trade; however, challenges remain due to icebergs making navigation risky.

Challenges Faced by Marginalized Regions

Underrepresentation in Global Trade

• Africa accounts for only 4% of global container traffic due to inadequate infrastructure; no African port ranks among the top 100 globally despite ongoing modernization efforts.

South America’s Maritime Limitations

• Similar issues affect South American countries that struggle with weak maritime access despite new port developments underway in regions like Côte d'Ivoire and Djibouti.

Legal Framework Governing Oceans

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

• Signed in Montego Bay in 1982, UNCLOS established rules for territorial waters divided into four zones: territorial sea (up to 12 nautical miles), contiguous zone (12–24 nautical miles), exclusive economic zone (up to 200 nautical miles), and high seas beyond that limit.

Rights within Territorial Waters

• States possess full sovereignty over their territorial waters but must allow passage through straits under certain conditions while ensuring safe navigation through adequate signaling systems.

Disputes Over Marine Territories

Geopolitical Tensions and Maritime Exploitation

Historical Context of Maritime Claims

• The South China Sea has been a point of contention since 1974, with China exploiting offshore hydrocarbon deposits while Vietnam also claims the archipelago. This dispute highlights ongoing regional tensions.

• In 2020, significant diplomatic tensions arose between Turkey and Greece over gas exploration in waters claimed by Greece, emphasizing the complexities of maritime territorial disputes.

Illegal Activities at Sea

• Maritime areas are often exploited for illegal activities due to their vastness and difficulty in monitoring, particularly drug trafficking routes from Latin America to the U.S. and Europe through the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

• In 2019, Spanish coastguards intercepted a submarine carrying three tons of cocaine, illustrating the scale of drug smuggling operations across these waters.

Military Developments in Naval Power

• International tensions related to maritime control have led to increased naval military development; despite U.S. dominance in naval power, China is modernizing its navy with nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers to protect its interests.

• China's establishment of a base in Djibouti alongside U.S. and French bases signifies a strategic move towards enhancing its military presence globally.

Environmental Concerns in Marine Ecosystems

• Approximately 40% of oceans face unsustainable exploitation; overfishing threatens species like wild salmon and bluefin tuna, with one-third of fish stocks considered overexploited according to FAO estimates.

• Aquaculture has reduced pressure on some fish species but raises environmental concerns regarding antibiotic use and pollution from fish farms.

Plastic Pollution Crisis

• The discovery of the "seventh continent" made up of plastic waste highlights severe marine ecosystem degradation; this area is estimated to be 3 to 6 times larger than France located primarily in the Pacific Ocean.