In 1913–1914 the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea held in London again reaffirmed that the selection of routes across the Atlantic in both directions is left to the responsibility of the steamship companies.
[citation needed] Some routes, such as that from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro (passing Tristan da Cunha), were not able to take advantage of these natural factors.
Some shipping lanes, such as the Straits of Malacca off Indonesia and Malaysia, and the waters off Somalia, are frequented by pirates operating independently or as privateers (for companies and countries).
[2] The strait serves as a critical chokepoint for international trade, connecting the North Sea to the English Channel and facilitating maritime traffic between the Atlantic Ocean and key European ports.
Its strategic importance has led to the implementation of advanced traffic separation schemes (TSS) and strict maritime regulations to prevent collisions and ensure safe navigation.
These lanes collectively handle a significant portion of the world's shipping traffic, underscoring their role as vital arteries of international commerce.