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Water Transportation

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China Unlikely to Blink in Maritime Dispute with Vietnam over Oil Rig
Tensions are rising in the South China Sea, where China moved a state-owned oil rig, reportedly accompanied by six warships, into disputed waters last month, triggering anti-Chinese demonstrations in Vietnam that resulted in four deaths.
Jun 12, 2014
Commentary
Death Is Never Far When You Are at Sea
The U.S. marine safety record is impressive, arguably the best in the world. Yet, as the heartbreaking example of the Sewol demonstrates, the United States must never become complacent.
May 12, 2014
Commentary
Somali Piracy All About Economics
The average Somali lives on less than $2 a day. Even fishermen, who are comparatively well off by national standards, face difficulties making a living due to the chronic depletion of sea stocks from years of poaching and illegal dumping of toxic waste. Under such circumstances, the allure of piracy is clear.
Oct 11, 2013
Journal Article
China Consolidates its Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies
The announced plan to restructure China's maritime law enforcement agencies represents an important effort by Chinese authorities to streamline a poorly-managed maritime law enforcement bureaucracy increasingly involved in China's maritime territorial disputes.
Mar 1, 2013
Commentary
Odd Man Out at Sea
The United States has yet to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. As a result, the U.S., the world's leading maritime power, is at a military and economic disadvantage, write Thad W. Allen, Richard L. Armitage, and John J. Hamre.
Apr 25, 2011
Commentary
Kowtowing to Pirates' Ransoms Fuels Maritime Piracy
Instead of fanning piracy, international businesses need to heed policy. Ransoms in the short term can only lead to more problems in the long term, writes Laurence Smallman.
Apr 11, 2011
Commentary
Stormy Seas off Somalia: Pirate Activity Will Increase in 2011
Only by addressing the poverty and lack of central authority in Somalia can the international community lower maritime crime and violence off the Horn of Africa, writes Peter Chalk.
Feb 28, 2011
Commentary
An Old Scourge Needs a Modern Solution
Piracy is a crime at sea, but it starts on land. To thwart the Somali piracy career path, the world community should put funds toward protecting local fishing grounds and building a national coast guard capability in Somalia, writes Peter Chalk.
Sep 3, 2010
Report
Countering Piracy in the Modern Era: Notes from a RAND Workshop to Discuss the Best Approaches for Dealing with Piracy in the 21st Century
The findings of a small group of experts from the U.S. government, allied partner nations, the maritime industry, and academic organizations convened to discuss piracy in the modern era.
Aug 20, 2009
Testimony
The Chinese Navy's
In testimony presented before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Cortez A. Cooper ties China's re-emergence as a naval power to its expanding economic and security interests.
Jun 8, 2009
Commentary
Who Has the Will to Fight Piracy?
The recent French and American rescues of hostages held by pirates off the coast of Somalia were necessary and proper. No one believes these actions will end piracy. But unless we impose risks on the pirates—which means taking some risks ourselves—piracy will certainly flourish, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.
Apr 21, 2009
Commentary
Piracy Still Threatens the Freedom of the Seas
As recent events off the Horn of Africa have demonstrated, armed violence at sea is emerging as a growing threat. Piracy threatens the freedom of the seas, increases the cost of international business, endangers political security through corruption, and could trigger a major environmental disaster, write Peter Chalk and Laurence Smallman.
Apr 3, 2009
Testimony
Maritime Piracy: Reasons, Dangers and Solutions
In testimony presented before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Peter Chalk testifies on the scope and contributing factors driving the rash of recent pirate attacks and the principal dangers associated with this particular manifestation of transnational crime.
Jan 27, 2009
Commentary
Piracy Needs Regional Answer
The international community is at something of a loss as to how to respond to the increasingly audacious nature of piracy off the Horn of Africa.... What's needed is a less dramatic and more nuanced approach, one with a greater focus on the land-based violence in Somalia, home of the pirates, writes Peter Chalk.
Nov 25, 2008
News Release
Increase In Piracy And Terrorism At Sea; Little Evidence Supports Fear That The Two Crimes Are Merging
Acts of piracy and terrorism at sea are on the rise, but there is little evidence to support concerns from some governments and international organizations that pirates and terrorists are beginning to collude with one another.
Jun 5, 2008
Research Brief
Piracy and Terrorism at Sea: A Rising Challenge for U.S. Security
This research brief summarizes RAND's analysis of recent trends in piracy and maritime terrorism, which pose a significant threat. The United States has taken only limited steps to enhance maritime security; broader measures are required.
Apr 30, 2008
Report
The Maritime Dimension of International Security: Terrorism, Piracy, and Challenges for the United States
Piracy and sea-borne terrorism have been on the rise since 2000. While the United States has spearheaded several initiatives to improve maritime security, policymakers should consider four additional measures to safeguard the world's oceans.
Apr 28, 2008
Report
Sustaining Key Skills in the UK Naval Industry
Building on prior RAND research, this monograph explores the need for and retention of technical skills in the UK's naval industrial base, particularly among designers and engineers involved with surface ship and submarine acquisition and support.
Apr 12, 2008
Report
Small Ships in Theater Security Cooperation
The authors evaluate roles for small ships in theater security cooperation, present a concept of operations for employing such ships, describe necessary ship and crew characteristics, and survey classes of suitable vessels.
Mar 16, 2008
Report
Warfighting and Logistic Support of Joint Forces from the Joint Sea Base
Analyzes the feasibility of sustaining a Marine Corps ground element ashore and simultaneously sustaining Army elements ashore from a sea base or moving Army elements ashore from the sea base in a reasonable period.
Sep 4, 2007

RAND Topic:
Water Transportation

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