The Geopolitics of the Shipbuilding Industry: A Challenge for Peru

Abstract

The historical importance of the sea in the development of civilizations has been fundamental, from the ancient trade routes of the Phoenicians to the rise of England and the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries, respectively. Thinkers such as Alfred T. Mahan and John H. Mackinder highlighted the significance of naval power and geography in shaping a nation's development. In the 21st century. China has emerged as a strategic competitor to the United States, amid shifting power relations, new technologies, and evolving geopolitical landscapes.
In our country, the influence of the sea has also been very significant, from the voyages of Túpac Yupanqui to Polynesia, to the present day, where its strategic geographic location allows for participation in global maritime trade.
However, major challenges lie ahead in the coming decades. The issue is how to strengthen the national industry through the development of the naval industry, positioning it as a driver of sustainable and competitive industrial growth. Enhancing the naval industry is seen as a key opportunity, considering that past world powers have relied on their naval industries to influence and safeguard trade. The creation of a Naval Industry cluster in the port of Callao is emerging as a geopolitical initiative that can decisively contribute to strengthening national industry, increasing production, security, economic growth, and Peru’s regional influence.