At the recent Arabian Gulf Naval Commanders (GCC) conference in Abu Dahbi regional issues were discussed against a background understanding that the location of the Gulf creates a number of security challenges in the maritime domain, including the disruption of the flow of goods & services and piracy attacks, reports 'The National'. Navy commanders pointed out that as globalisation and the importance of the sea for world trade increases, and as the region is a hub of international commerce, the security of oil supplies has become a common concern for nations.