Maritime trade warfare, also called commerce warfare, is a naval/military strategy pursued since ancient times. The strategic concept involves attack on, or neutralization of, the enemy's maritime supply-chain in an effort to disrupt the foe’s economy and/or ability to wage war.
Maritime trade warfare adopts different strategies. Until the 20th century, close blockades of an enemy’s ports were commonest—conducted to prevent the movement of an enemy’s commercial shipping. In the 20th century, standardization of distant blockades (farther from the enemy coast) was enabled through new technologies such as the torpedo, submarine, and airplane. Mining of ports also was practiced.
In addition, maritime exclusion zones (MEZs) were sometimes established to prevent shipping from entering a designated area. Maritime trade warfare has also included attacking or seizing, or outright destroying, an enemy’s commercial shipping. In the 20th century, tactics included destruction of an enemy’s port infrastructure to prevent the loading or off-loading of commercial vessels.
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