Managing Threats on the High Seas: The Role of Naval Bases on Reducing Maritime Piracy.

This article examines the impact of naval bases on reducing maritime piracy, using a zero-inflated negative binomial regression model and a global dataset from 1992 to 2018. The study finds a statistically significant inverse relationship between the presence of naval bases—defined as permanent, fortified fleet anchorages—and incidents of piracy, suggesting that naval bases enhance maritime security by providing logistical and operational support that increases naval force mobility and deterrence capabilities. Control variables such as economic conditions, ethnic fractionalization, political rights, and population size also influence piracy rates, but the presence of naval bases remains a robust factor in lowering piracy incidents. The research highlights naval bases as a practical policy tool for coastal states and international coalitions to combat piracy, while acknowledging that addressing piracy’s root socioeconomic and political causes requires broader, holistic approaches.