In the nineteenth century, American strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan helped define a new understanding of maritime security and the role of the U.S. Navy in ensuring American global influence. Mahan believed that a strong Navy and robust maritime trade were both integral to national and economic security. He also recognized the importance of port security, eloquently stating “the ships that thus sail to and fro must have secure ports to which to return.” In an age of profound and evolving cyber threats to critical infrastructure, Mahan’s philosophy takes on renewed importance. Port security must be reconsidered in all its facets to safeguard this cornerstone of global trade and national influence.
Today, the safe passage and facilitation of commerce by sea remains a foundational element of security. Ninety percent of global trade is conducted on the world’s oceans. U.S. ports and waterways alone handle more than two billion tons of domestic and international cargo annually. The total volume of cargo shipped by water is expected to double 2001 volumes by 2020.
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