Page 54: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2024)

EVENT

MARITIME RISK SYMPOSIUM 2024:

Great Power Competition and Gray Zone Engagement

By Dr. Joe DiRenzo and Dr. Don Brutzman or 15 years the Maritime Risk Symposium (MRS), an international adversaries present growing dangers to freedom annual three-day event, has brought together govern- of navigation, the maritime global commons, and world trade. ment and maritime industry leaders, port representa- In 2024, gray zone activities against the maritime industry and

Ftives, international and domestic researchers and so- the Marine Transportation System became front page news with lution providers to examine current and emerging threats to drone attacks, ship sinkings, mining of grain-shipment corridors, maritime security. World events highlight that maritime secu- cutting of subsea cables, and more. Due to adversarial actions, rity is increasingly at risk during the current period of great- the industry itself is now at the center of attention for the U.S. power competition and ongoing con? icts. The active competi- Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Merchant tion between nations who are not at war but also not fully at Marine, inter-agency partners, state and local governments, peace is called the “gray zone.” Hostile gray-zone actions of and international stakeholders. Vessels have been harassed and 54 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • May 2024

MR #5 (50-60).indd 54 5/3/2024 8:09:32 AM