UK Maritime Power: Strategy, Economy, and Protection
UK’s Strategic Maritime Advantage
- Global maritime presence: The UK has 17 overseas territories/areas in the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific Oceans, and Mediterranean.
- Some territories are disputed, like the Falklands and Gibraltar.
- A strong role in sea diplomacy:
- London hosts the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
- The UK promotes international sea rules and protects its global interests.
- Supports marine environmental protection.
- A sea power: The Royal Navy is strong, ranked 6th in the world, with bases around the world. It helps with defense, prevention, and protection.
UK Ocean Economy and Global Trade
- Competing with Asia: London is a top maritime business hub, competing with Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.
- The UK is promoting green shipping.
- Shipbuilding:
- The UK lost many shipyards to Asian competition.
- Now focuses on military, cruise, and eco-friendly ships.
- Port sector:
- Ports like Felixstowe and London Gateway are very active.
- Ports are used for cruises/tourism, and old ports have become marinas/tourist destinations.
UK Maritime Strategy for Global Influence
- The UK is active in the Indo-Pacific and Persian Gulf.
- Works with the USA, NATO, and the Commonwealth.
- It is modernising its navy with new aircraft carriers and submarines.
Protecting UK Waters and Oceans
- UK overseas areas are at risk from climate change.
- The UK protects 23% of its waters with Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
UK Blue Economy: Economic & Environmental Goals
- Fishing:
- Over 50% of UK fish exports come from its waters.
- Overfishing and poor management are problems.
- Brexit allows more control for UK fishermen.
- Offshore energy:
- The North Sea is key for oil, gas, and wind.
- The UK is a leader in offshore wind, producing 30% of its electricity in 2020.
- Goal: 4x more wind capacity by 2030.
Hook: ‘Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves’ — this famous line shows how important the sea has always been for the UK.
Present docs: Nature: photo + article; Source + Date: It was published by… in… + It comes from… in…; Title + It talks about…
To contextualise: In the past, the UK used its navy to explore the world, control trade, and build a powerful empire. Today, the sea is still very important for the country. The UK has 17 overseas territories, strong naval forces, and some of the biggest ports in Europe. The sea helps the UK’s economy through trade, fishing, tourism, and energy. At the same time, the country faces new challenges like climate change, competition from Asia, and the need to protect the ocean.
Question: So, we can ask: is the UK still a real maritime power today? + Plan
To conclude: The UK is still a strong maritime country. It has a powerful navy, many overseas territories, and important ports. The sea is essential for its trade, energy, and tourism. But the UK also faces new problems, like climate change, competition from Asia, and the need to protect the oceans. Today, being a maritime power means more than just having a strong navy — it also means using the sea in a smart and sustainable way. The UK is trying to do both: stay powerful at sea and protect the marine environment. + Point of view