ASEAN nations agree maritime centre for South China Sea trade safety
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · May 8
ASEAN nations agree maritime centre for South China Sea trade safety
9 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · May 8
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said the 11-member bloc will create a central repository for maritime issues and policy, with Manila offering to host it.
The centre is intended to strengthen regional cooperation and help guide ASEAN responses on maritime matters affecting one of the world's busiest trade routes.
Marcos said the move could help prevent disruption in the South China Sea similar to any closure of the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring wider concern over shipping security.
As China's 'grey-zone' tactics intensify, can ASEAN's new maritime center be more than just a diplomatic symbol?
With global trade on a knife's edge, could a South China Sea incident trigger an economic crisis worse than Hormuz?
ASEAN Maritime Center: A Strategic Response to South China Sea Tensions and Trade Vulnerabilities
Overview
In May 2026, ASEAN leaders adopted the ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on Maritime Cooperation, which included the formal announcement of the ASEAN Maritime Center, hosted by the Philippines. This center aims to enhance maritime safety, combat illegal activities, and ensure freedom of navigation, all grounded in international law like UNCLOS. The move was driven by escalating tensions in the South China Sea, stalled Code of Conduct negotiations, and global economic vulnerabilities highlighted by disruptions in key trade routes. While China rejects the center as provocative, ASEAN seeks to strengthen regional unity and stability, support vital trade routes, and catalyze progress on maritime cooperation despite internal challenges and differing member priorities.