Following attention on the Panama Canal and Strait of Hormuz, global focus is shifting to the strategic importance and potential risks of other critical international shipping channels. These waterways are increasingly being examined due to global maritime concerns.

First, it was the Panama Canal, then came the Strait of Hormuz. What could be next? America’s actions in the two major shipping channels have grabbed headlines, and global attention is shifting to the strategic importance and potential risks of other critical trade waterways. Some of the chokepoints were examined in a US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) investigation in March last year of unfavourable shipping conditions, signalling America’s heightened focus on international routes and...