Abstract

The digital transformation of maritime space is reshaping traditional notions of sovereignty, power, and security at sea. This commentary explores the strategic implications of maritime data as a critical asset in contemporary geopolitics. As digital surveillance, predictive analytics, and geospatial intelligence become integral to maritime operations, control over data flows now rivals physical naval presence in asserting power. The rise of a global maritime data economy-driven by states, technology firms, and industrial actors -has introduced new opportunities for influence and coordination but also heightened vulnerabilities to cyber threats, espionage, and infrastructure sabotage. Legal frameworks, particularly international maritime law, are struggling to keep pace with these changes, prompting urgent calls for reform to address data ownership, access, and governance. Meanwhile, the convergence of civilian and military technologies, coupled with the growing role of private tech giants, is fostering a hybrid maritime ecosystem that challenges traditional power structures. Ultimately, this commentary argues that digital sovereignty has become inseparable from maritime sovereignty, requiring states to integrate technological control, legal adaptation, and strategic infrastructure management into their national and international maritime strategies.

Keywords
1. Maritime sovereignty
2. Digital maritimization
3. Maritime data
4. Geospatial intelligence (Geoint)
5. Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)
6. Cybersecurity
7. Hybrid threats
8. Data governance
9. International maritime law
10. Surveillance systems
11. Strategic infrastructure
12. Phantom fleets
13. Artificial intelligence (AI)
14. Maritime data economy
15. Infrastructural power
16. Digital sovereignty
17. Ocean geopolitics
18. Predictive analytics
19. Maritime security
20. Technology companies in geopolitics


Introduction
The global ocean, once primarily a theater for naval power and trade, is rapidly transforming into a digital battlespace shaped by surveillance, data flows, and algorithmic decision-making. The assertion that “the sea is indeed a space of strategic observation” captures the essence of this ongoing paradigm shift. The traditional conception of maritime dominance-anchored in naval fleets and physical control of sea lanes-is being redefined by the ability to gather, process, and leverage data. In this context, maritime data becomes not merely a tool but a strategic asset, shaping how sovereignty is asserted and maintained in the 21st century.

Maritime Data as a Strategic Lever
Maritime data has evolved into a critical pillar of national power. The ability to detect, monitor, and anticipate activities at sea now rivals, if not exceeds, the importance of physical deployment. This is evident in the rise of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), where geospatial intelligence (Geoint) and predictive analytics are used to track illegal fishing, piracy, or strategic naval movements. Such surveillance capabilities offer governments and international coalitions unprecedented control over global maritime flows without necessarily deploying physical forces.

Digital Maritimization and the Data Economy
The shift toward “digital maritimization” underscores a new competition over standards, infrastructure, and control of maritime data flows. States and corporations are racing to establish dominance over data collection systems ranging from satellite constellations to undersea cables. The development of platforms like Europe’s digital twin of the ocean-fusing environmental, logistical, and strategic data-epitomizes the convergence of science, policy, and sovereignty. This model not only aids in climate diplomacy but also exemplifies how digital infrastructures are becoming new sites of influence and contestation.

Vulnerabilities and the Reconfiguration of Sovereignty
As maritime systems become increasingly networked, the sea is now as vulnerable to cyberattacks as it is to naval threats. Attacks on navigation systems or the manipulation of shipping data are no longer hypothetical but real and rising risks. These new vulnerabilities highlight a crucial paradox: the more digitally dependent maritime operations become, the more exposed they are to disruption. Consequently, sovereignty today must encompass both the control of sea lanes and the resilience of digital infrastructures.

Legal Adaptation and the Governance Gap
International maritime law has not kept pace with the rapid technological shifts. The challenge lies in reconciling the slow-moving, consensus-driven mechanisms of bodies like the International Maritime Organization (IMO) with the swift evolution of technologies such as Al and big data. The question of data ownership, access rights, and transparency remains largely unresolved. For instance, disputes over access to Automatic Identification System (AIS) data illustrate the pressing need for standardized governance frameworks that balance national security with global maritime collaboration.

Hybridization of Maritime Power
The hybrid nature of contemporary maritime power blurs the lines between civilian and military, public and private. Satellite operators, Al firms, and logistics tech companies are increasingly central actors in global maritime security. Their technologies shape surveillance capacity, crisis response, and even naval logistics. This civilian-military synergy reinforces sovereignty-but also creates dependencies. The misuse of identification systems, the rise of phantom fleets, and the proliferation of dual-use technologies demand a recalibration of both strategic alliances and legal oversight.

Infrastructure as Geopolitical Capital
The digital ocean is not immaterial. Data flows depend on physical infrastructures-fiber-optic cables, satellite ground stations, and data centers-all of which are susceptible to geopolitical coercion or sabotage. The control over these infrastructures, often dominated by a few global tech conglomerates, constitutes a new form of infrastructural power. This “materiality of data” gives rise to questions of jurisdiction, control, and strategic vulnerability, compelling states to rethink sovereignty in infrastructural terms.

The Rise of Tech Giants as Geopolitical Actors
Finally, the emergence of technology companies as de facto geopolitical actors cannot be overstated. These corporations not only control vast amounts of maritime data but also set industry standards, influence policy, and shape value chains. Their strategic autonomy, investment patterns, and capacity to dictate technological pathways pose both opportunities and risks for states navigating this complex maritime data ecosystem.

Conclusion
In sum, maritime sovereignty in the digital age is no longer confined to territorial waters or naval strength. It encompasses data collection, cyber resilience, infrastructural control, and legal innovation. As maritime space becomes a nexus of geopolitical contestation and digital transformation, the ability to govern, secure, and strategically exploit maritime data will determine future power configurations at sea. The sea remains vast and fluid—but in the digital age, it is increasingly mapped, monitored, and contested in ways that demand new modes of thinking about sovereignty, security, and strategy.


(Prepared based on

https://www.iris-france.org/l-ocean-stewardship-entre-referentiel-ethique-cadre-de-gouvernance-et-outil-strategique/)


References
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