For centuries the Straits of Malacca, a narrow waterway between the Malay peninsula and the island of Sumatra, has been both a major conduit for long distance trade between Asia and the West and one of the most dangerous areas for commercial shipping. Casting a broad net across several disciplines, particularly geography and political economy, Donald Freeman examines the significance of the Straits as both a trade gateway and a choke-point that has forced generations of sailors to run the gauntlet. Rather than the more conventional historical-narrative approach, he offers an innovative adoption of an interdisciplinary, analytical perspective through his use of detailed case studies of trading systems and shipping hazards.

Papers presented at a colloquium, "The Iberian powers in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and in Southeast Asia," held in Singapore, May 13-14 2002, organized by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore.

The Straits of Malacca, between the Malay peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra, is one of the world's busiest and most important waterways. As the main shipping route for trade between East Asia and the Indian Ocean, it is crucial that the waterway is safe for navigation, free from pollution and open to shipping at all times. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the security challenges related to the Straits and the measures being taken to promote security. It considers the interests of the states which border the straits and the interests of other world maritime powers, assesses the effectiveness of current and past security measures, and outlines what steps are needed to ensure comprehensive security.