Defending Maritime Assets: Approaches to Critical Infrastructure Protection

The conflict in Ukraine has thrust the Black Sea into the center of the largest European dispute since 1945, leading to significant consequences for both the Alliance and the countries neighboring the Black Sea. The Kremlin’s strategic use of energy resources has disrupted the flow of hydrocarbons, which remained untouched even during the tensest moments of the Cold War. Simultaneously, the potential for offshore energy sources in the Black Sea presents an opportunity for the region to achieve greater energy independence. This could be realized in the short term through oil and gas, as well as in the long term through the development of renewable energy sources.

These prospects coincide with a volatile security environment in the Black Sea region. While military actions have escalated in the Northern Black Sea, countries along the coast such as Georgia and Romania have been confronted with Russian New Generation Warfare tactics since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Since 2017, Russian military exercises have effectively blocked access to the Black Sea, employing legal strategies as part of their approach. This has led to a blurring of the lines between traditional notions of hot and cold wars.

The Gerasimov doctrine and incidents like the Nord Stream sabotage have underscored the fact that critical energy infrastructure is no longer off-limits, and the unique characteristics of maritime infrastructure have turned it into a new arena in the realm of hybrid warfare

George Scutaru is founder and the CEO of the New Strategy Center, the leading Romanian think tank in security and foreign affairs. He started his professional career in journalism, in Bucharest, then as a press correspondent to Moscow, before he became the general director of a consultancy agency in Romania. Between 2004 and 2014 he was a member of the Committee on Defense, Parliament of Romania and between 2014-2015 he was national security advisor to the President of Romania. On behalf of the President, Scutaru coordinated in 2015 the negotiation process for the national political agreement for a 2% of the GDP financing of the defense sector. Area of expertise: Russia, security challenges in the Black Sea. He authored studies dedicated to Russia in the Black Sea region, hybrid warfare and energy security

Dr. Murman Margvelashvili has worked extensively on various research projects in Caucasus Region and Central Asia, participated and presented at numerous international conferences and workshops, conducted policy analyses, advocacy and outreach, interacted with authorities in the EU, Georgia and other countries.

His current research interests include: various aspects of energy security, sustainability and systems thinking, energy planning, energy education, regional and EU cooperation on energy issues, reforming Georgia’s energy sector in line with Energy Community Acquis.