Sea Threats Could Trigger Global Collapse in 90 Days: Warns UN

A counter-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden, off the northeastern coast of Somalia.

The world’s oceans are in crisis, and the consequences could be catastrophic. Without urgent and coordinated global action to safeguard maritime security, the United Nations warns that the world economy could face a collapse within 90 days.

This stark message came during a high-level debate convened by the UN Security Council on Tuesday, as Secretary-General António Guterres painted a grim picture of mounting threats at sea—from piracy and armed robbery to terrorism and cyberattacks—that are jeopardising the lifeline of global trade and stability.

“Oceans and seas are sending a clear SOS,” Guterres told ambassadors, warning that maritime spaces are increasingly under strain from both traditional dangers and emerging threats. “Without maritime security, there can be no global security.”

The debate, chaired by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during Greece’s presidency of the Council, brought together global leaders, experts, and shipping representatives to address the crisis. It underscored how vital maritime routes are to the modern global economy—and how fragile they have become.

Around 90 per cent of global trade—equivalent to more than 12 billion tonnes of goods—is transported by sea each year. Yet this critical infrastructure is under siege. The UN chief cited a staggering 47.5 per cent rise in piracy and armed robbery at sea in early 2025, based on figures from the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Much of the increase occurred in Asia, especially in the congested and strategically vital Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

Attacks by Houthi rebels on Red Sea shipping, continuing disruptions in the Black Sea due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and growing trafficking networks in the Gulf of Guinea, Mediterranean, and Atlantic have exacerbated the situation. These threats not only disrupt global supply chains but also fuel instability, environmental degradation, and human suffering.

“From time immemorial, maritime routes have bound the world together,” Guterres said. “But maritime spaces are increasingly under threat from the convergence of criminal activity, geopolitical conflict, and climate impacts.”

In one of the most urgent warnings of the day, Melina Travlos, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, told Council members that the world could face an economic breakdown within just 90 days if global shipping were to come to a halt.

“Shipping is the silent guardian of global welfare,” she said. “Without it, shelves would be empty, fuel would not flow, and supply chains would break.”

Her warning echoes concerns from earlier crises, including the 2021 blockage of the Suez Canal by the massive container ship Ever Given. That single event, which lasted six days, cost the global economy billions in lost trade and delayed goods.

Christian Bueger, a professor of international relations at the University of Copenhagen, used the Ever Given example to illustrate the world’s extreme dependence on maritime trade—a dependency that has grown by over 300 per cent since the 1990s.

“Never before in history have we been as dependent on the sea as we are today,” Bueger said. He urged governments to treat maritime security not as isolated incidents but as a systemic issue requiring evidence-based, coordinated global responses.

In his address, Guterres proposed a three-pronged strategy to strengthen maritime security worldwide:

Uphold International Maritime Law: Guterres called on all nations to fully adhere to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the international legal framework governing oceans and seas. “This framework is only as strong as States’ commitment to full and effective implementation,” he said.

Address Root Causes of Insecurity: Investment in coastal communities, judicial reform, and maritime law enforcement capacity in developing countries is crucial. The Secretary-General emphasised that weak governance, poverty, and lack of opportunity often drive people into maritime crime.

Strengthen Global Partnerships: Guterres urged a collaborative effort involving governments, regional organisations, private sectors, and civil society—including women and girls, who are often the most affected by maritime insecurity and displacement.

“Collectively, we must do more to reduce the likelihood that desperate people will turn to crime and other activities that threaten maritime security and degrade our ocean environment,” he said.

He reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Member States in creating safe, sustainable, and resilient maritime spaces for future generations.

The implications of maritime insecurity go beyond economics. Vital ecosystems are also at risk from illegal fishing, pollution, and the destruction of marine habitats. With the worsening effects of climate change—rising sea levels, stronger storms, and ocean acidification—the resilience of maritime zones is diminishing even further.

“Geopolitical rivalries must not be allowed to hinder collective security at sea,” Guterres stressed. “The oceans connect us all—and so must our response.”