Seven months since the October 7 Hamas attack last year, Israel continues to inflict pain on the Palestinians ignoring proportionality, a fundamental principle of the International Laws of Armed Conflict.

Seven months since the October 7 Hamas attack last year, Israel continues to inflict pain on the Palestinians ignoring proportionality, a fundamental principle of the International Laws of Armed Conflict. Nothing seems to stop them. They bash on regardless of a UN resolution to stop the assault, domestic demands from within Israel, gathering angst from the world over, cases at ICJ and ICC or increasing threat of sanctions. Likewise, nothing seems to deter the Houthis from continuing their wanton destruction in the Red Sea in response to the Israeli offensive against Palestinians. Even Operation Prosperity Guardian led by the US Navy, involving several other modern navies has not borne fruit. News that the US has appealed to Iran to rein in the Houthis was bad enough an indicator of the world’s helplessness. Subsequent reports about the US offer to remove the Houthis from a terror list as quid pro quo for peace in the Red Sea prove the world’s impotence in deterring committed adversaries who are willing to die to win their goals. Tim Lenderking, President Joe Biden’s special envoy for Yemen removed any lingering hope when he admitted on April 3 that the US favours a diplomatic solution and that they “know that there is no military solution”. As per media reports, US aircraft carrier Dwight Eisenhower deployed with great fanfare in the Red Sea has left the area and several navies including the US Navy are only escorting high-value ships through the area now. This is an important reality for international trade. The merchant marine has no option but to co-exist with perennial strife in the foreseeable future. As of now, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Here is why. Several other factors combine with perennial strife to form an uncomfortable new normal for ships at sea. First among them is the inevitable dependence on choke points where ships become easy targets owing to restrictions that constricted spaces and traffic density place on their movements at these points. Second, is the ease of targeting as ship identities, positions and details of their traverse cannot be hidden near choke points and live updates on them can easily be fed to adversaries. Third, is the easy availability of low-cost, over-the-shelf or indigenous technologies and materials that completely preclude any chance the world may have in preventing the unwanted proliferation of modern non-traditional weapons and ordnance delivery platforms. Fourth, is the impending shift of anti-shipping offensives to the underwater realm, buoyed by the success of Ukraine’s surface and below-surface drones which drove the mighty Russian Navy away from the operationally important parts of the Black Sea. Fifth, is the multitude of conflicts and potential conflicts that abound the worldover, mostly embers from the age of European colonialism which can be fanned to infernos at will. That non-state actors dominate several of these conflicts further increases the degree of difficulty for states or global organisations like the UN in resolving them. All these combine well to form a highly incendiary mix in an increasingly right-wing world which is intent on questioning history and undoing the ‘wrongs’ of the past. With no limits on the distance to travel into the past to unearth new grievances, new trouble spots are sure to emerge. What does this mean for the merchant marine? After all, there are no military solutions. A massive whole-world approach that combines diplomatic, technological, economic, social and military measures, that draw deeply from history stands the best chance of success. Though underwater warfare on trade started at the beginning of WW I, it manifested in its most destructive form only in WW II. It is unsettling to recollect that the single largest campaign that ran throughout the duration of WW II was the Battle of the Atlantic, where German U Boats kept sinking Allied shipping. It started at the beginning of the war and ended only when Germany capitulated. How is this relevant today? Firstly, while it was Germany, a formal state, that inflicted losses on the allies with wanton destruction using submarines during WW 2, today it is Houthis, a non-state actor, difficult to be held accountable. Secondly, submarines were large, manned, craft whose deployment and actions were inevitably influenced by the need to provide a reasonable chance of survival to the crew during action. No such baggage restricts anti-ship surface or sub-surface drones. Thirdly, submarines were large enough craft that gave some chance for their adversaries to detect and avoid or destroy them. Small surface or sub-surface drones have much less vulnerability. So what do we do to protect seaborne trade? Firstly, the world must accept that even the best navies have no foolproof solution to protect even themselves from underwater attacks using drones, especially in large numbers. Secondly, we must learn from history. Every material and tactical countermeasure that has been developed from the early part of the 20th century, right up to the lessons of the previous bout of piracy off the Somalian coast needs to be considered for increasing the survivability of ships. Some of these lessons must be incorporated right from the design stage for merchant ships. Thirdly, multi-modal operations need to be developed to reduce dependence on volatile choke points to the extent possible. Fourthly, governments the worldover have to assume direct responsibility and mandate the above steps as these steps cost money and if left to the corporate world they wouldn’t act optimally for profitability considerations. Last but not the least, fighting navies must make serious adjustments to force structuring, operations and training to meet the new threat. Ocean shipping is an international treasure. It is time the world went back to the drawing board to improve the survivability of merchant ships and the military capabilities of navies in handling underwater attacks. However, what must take the utmost preference is the fact that the non-military solutions stand the best chance of bringing lasting solutions. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

International shipping – set for perennial hard times

Higher exports helped India's merchandise trade deficit come down to lower than expected at $19.8 billion in December, data showed on Monday, though officials signalled that the turmoil in the Red Sea could have an impact on this month's figures.

Economists polled by Reuters had expected a merchandise trade deficit of $21 billion in December.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-conflict-to-wind-down-in-southern-gaza-says-israel-680333">Click here to follow all updates on the Israel-Hamas war</a>

"There has been a demand upturn in December (leading to higher exports). This provides us a cushion as there are uncertainties for trade in January and going forward due to the Red Sea crisis," Trade Secretary Sunil Bharthwal said.

Nearly 80% of India's merchandise trade with Europe passes through the Red Sea where shipping has been attacked by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants, in a spillover from Israel's more than three-month-long war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip

Trade ministry official Satya Srinivas told reporters India's December exports were not impacted by the Red Sea crisis, but some more recently consignments had been put on hold.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/red-sea-attacks-spark-global-inflation-fears-disrupting-supply-chains-680168">Red Sea attacks spark global inflation fears, disrupting supply chains</a>

India's merchandise exports in December stood at $38.45 billion, while imports were $58.25 billion, government data showed on Monday. In the previous month, merchandise exports were $33.9 billion, while imports stood at $54.48 billion.

Merchandise exports for the period April-December totalled $317.12 billion, while imports for the same period reached $505.15 billion, the data showed. The figures compared with $336.30 billion in exports, and $548.64 billion in imports for the same period last year.

In December, services exports were $27.88 billion, while imports were $13.25 billion. In November, services exports were $28.68 billion and imports were $13.4 billion.

Higher exports helped India's merchandise trade deficit come down to lower than expected at $19.8 billion in December, data showed on Monday, though officials signalled that the turmoil in the Red Sea could have an impact on this month's figures.

Higher exports helped India's merchandise trade deficit come down to lower than expected at $19.8 billion in December, data showed on Monday, though officials signalled that the turmoil in the Red Sea could have an impact on this month's figures. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a merchandise trade deficit of $21 billion in December. Click here to follow all updates on the Israel-Hamas war "There has been a demand upturn in December (leading to higher exports). This provides us a cushion as there are uncertainties for trade in January and going forward due to the Red Sea crisis," Trade Secretary Sunil Bharthwal said. Nearly 80% of India's merchandise trade with Europe passes through the Red Sea where shipping has been attacked by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants, in a spillover from Israel's more than three-month-long war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip Trade ministry official Satya Srinivas told reporters India's December exports were not impacted by the Red Sea crisis, but some more recently consignments had been put on hold. Also read: Red Sea attacks spark global inflation fears, disrupting supply chains India's merchandise exports in December stood at $38.45 billion, while imports were $58.25 billion, government data showed on Monday. In the previous month, merchandise exports were $33.9 billion, while imports stood at $54.48 billion. Merchandise exports for the period April-December totalled $317.12 billion, while imports for the same period reached $505.15 billion, the data showed. The figures compared with $336.30 billion in exports, and $548.64 billion in imports for the same period last year. In December, services exports were $27.88 billion, while imports were $13.25 billion. In November, services exports were $28.68 billion and imports were $13.4 billion.

India sees December exports boost, but all eyes on Red Sea

New details have emerged about the drone attack on MV Chem Pluto, specifying that it resulted in an onboard fire, subsequently extinguished by the ship's crew. The Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean region's (IFC IOR) weekly report highlighted a total power failure post-attack, leading to the vessel drifting until the crew rectified the defect.

The report emphasised that no crew members were injured&nbsp;in this incident; however, "the vessel reported substantial damages at the stern section and internal compartments." The drone exploded on the poop deck, pictures reveal.

On 23 Dec, about 220 miles off the Indian coast in the Arabian Sea, the Liberia-flagged tanker was attacked while en route from Jubail, Saudi Arabia, to New Mangalore, India.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/red-sea-ship-attacks-inside-disrupted-shipping-route-over-west-asias-gate-of-tears-673216">Red Sea ship attacks: Inside disrupted shipping route through West Asia's 'gate of tears'</a>

Gurugram-based IFC-IOR, overseeing vessel movements in the Indian Ocean region was quick to inform the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, prompting a swift response with deployed assets. Following IFC-IOR inputs, an Indian Navy aircraft, a warship, and a Coast Guard ship were diverted to aid MV CHEM PLUTO.

The tanker was safely escorted by the Indian Coast Guard ship Vikram to Mumbai for repairs and further investigation of the attack. Upon arrival, the Indian Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal team conducted a preliminary assessment of the vessel to determine the type and nature of the attack.

Also watch |&nbsp;Houthis 10-hour onslaught in Red Sea after US announces Naval coalition | World News | WION

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Further forensic and technical analysis will be essential to establish the attack vector, encompassing the type and quantity of explosive used.

From December 21-27, multiple drone incidents occurred, according to the Indian Navy Institute's report. On December 23, in the Red Sea, a US Navy ship intercepted and destroyed four drones. On December 26, within 10 hours in the Red Sea, Yemen, a US Navy ship successfully intercepted and neutralized 12 drones, three Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles, and two Land-Attack Cruise Missiles.

Given the recent surge in attacks in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy has strategically deployed Guided Missile Destroyers—INS Mormugao, INS Kochi, and INS Kolkata—to different areas, ensuring a deterrent presence. Long-range maritime reconnaissance P8I aircraft are consistently assigned to uphold domain awareness.

Earlier this week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh vowed to take strong action against the culprits behind the MV Chem Pluto attack emphasising that India is the Net Security Provider in the vast Indian Ocean Region. Prime Minister Modi also discussed the Red Sea situation with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, underscoring the imperative of preserving maritime security and unfettered navigation.

New details have emerged about the drone attack on MV Chem Pluto, specifying that it resulted in an onboard fire, subsequently extinguished by the ship's crew. The Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean region's (IFC IOR) weekly report highlighted a total power failure post-attack, leading to the vessel drifting until the crew rectified the defect.

New details have emerged about the drone attack on MV Chem Pluto, specifying that it resulted in an onboard fire, subsequently extinguished by the ship's crew. The Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean region's (IFC IOR) weekly report highlighted a total power failure post-attack, leading to the vessel drifting until the crew rectified the defect. The report emphasised that no crew members were injured in this incident; however, "the vessel reported substantial damages at the stern section and internal compartments." The drone exploded on the poop deck, pictures reveal. On 23 Dec, about 220 miles off the Indian coast in the Arabian Sea, the Liberia-flagged tanker was attacked while en route from Jubail, Saudi Arabia, to New Mangalore, India. Also read | Red Sea ship attacks: Inside disrupted shipping route through West Asia's 'gate of tears' Gurugram-based IFC-IOR, overseeing vessel movements in the Indian Ocean region was quick to inform the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, prompting a swift response with deployed assets. Following IFC-IOR inputs, an Indian Navy aircraft, a warship, and a Coast Guard ship were diverted to aid MV CHEM PLUTO. The tanker was safely escorted by the Indian Coast Guard ship Vikram to Mumbai for repairs and further investigation of the attack. Upon arrival, the Indian Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal team conducted a preliminary assessment of the vessel to determine the type and nature of the attack. Also watch | Houthis 10-hour onslaught in Red Sea after US announces Naval coalition | World News | WION × Further forensic and technical analysis will be essential to establish the attack vector, encompassing the type and quantity of explosive used. From December 21-27, multiple drone incidents occurred, according to the Indian Navy Institute's report. On December 23, in the Red Sea, a US Navy ship intercepted and destroyed four drones. On December 26, within 10 hours in the Red Sea, Yemen, a US Navy ship successfully intercepted and neutralized 12 drones, three Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles, and two Land-Attack Cruise Missiles. Given the recent surge in attacks in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy has strategically deployed Guided Missile Destroyers—INS Mormugao, INS Kochi, and INS Kolkata—to different areas, ensuring a deterrent presence. Long-range maritime reconnaissance P8I aircraft are consistently assigned to uphold domain awareness. Earlier this week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh vowed to take strong action against the culprits behind the MV Chem Pluto attack emphasising that India is the Net Security Provider in the vast Indian Ocean Region. Prime Minister Modi also discussed the Red Sea situation with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, underscoring the imperative of preserving maritime security and unfettered navigation.

Drone attack sparked fire, total power failure on MV Chem Pluto ship