Phar, Kim Beng and Hamzah, Luthfy (2025) Arctic route could undercut ASEAN’s trade role. https://asiatimes.com/2025/09/arctic-route-could-undercut-aseans-trade-role/, NA (NA). pp. 1-4.
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Abstract
The article argues that the emergence of the Arctic shipping route could gradually weaken ASEAN’s long-standing strategic importance as the central maritime corridor connecting East Asia and Europe. As melting Arctic ice opens navigable passages along Russia’s northern coastline, China and Russia are increasingly investing in what is often described as the “Polar Silk Road,” enabling vessels to bypass the traditional Suez Canal–Strait of Malacca route. The article highlights that the Northern Sea Route can reduce shipping distances between China and Europe by thousands of kilometres, lowering transit costs, fuel consumption, and exposure to geopolitical chokepoints. This development challenges the historic centrality of the Strait of Malacca, which has long underpinned the economic and geopolitical significance of ports such as Singapore, Port Klang, and Laem Chabang. The article further contends that the Arctic is no longer merely an environmental frontier but an emerging theatre of great-power competition involving China, Russia, the United States, and European actors. It argues that Washington’s heightened interest in Greenland and Arctic governance reflects growing concerns over the erosion of traditional maritime leverage in the Indo-Pacific. For ASEAN, the article warns against complacency, emphasising that the bloc must modernise its ports, enhance digital trade infrastructure, and participate more actively in Arctic governance discussions to remain strategically relevant. It also frames the Arctic issue within the broader context of climate change, noting that the same melting ice enabling Arctic navigation simultaneously threatens Southeast Asian coastal cities through rising sea levels. Ultimately, the article concludes that ASEAN must adapt quickly to shifting global trade geography or risk seeing its maritime centrality diluted in the evolving international order.
| Item Type: | Article (Electronic Media) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | ASEAN; Arctic shipping route |
| Subjects: | J Political Science > JZ International relations |
| Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): | International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Political Science Office of the Rector |
| Depositing User: | Mr Muhammad Syameer Luthfy Bin Hamzah |
| Date Deposited: | 07 May 2026 16:17 |
| Last Modified: | 07 May 2026 16:17 |
| Queue Number: | 2026-05-Q3250 |
| URI: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/128879 |
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