P1B 19 Glossary of Key Maritime Terms

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Internal Waters

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All water on the landward side of the baseline. Foreign vessels have no right of passage.

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Baseline

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Normally the low water line, used as the starting point for measuring maritime zones.

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Territorial Waters

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Extend 0–12 nautical miles from the baseline. States have full sovereignty control over the water, seafloor, air above, and airspace above, applying the same laws as on land. Foreign ships/planes need permission to enter.

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Contiguous Zone

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Extends 12–24 nautical miles from the baseline. The country has limited sovereignty control to enforce laws concerning pollution, taxation, customs, and immigration. Ships on peaceful missions and aircraft can overfly without asking, but can be stopped and searched if suspected of unlawful acts.

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Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

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Extends 200 nautical miles (nm) from the baseline. The state has the sole right to exploit natural resources (living and non-living). Ships and aircraft have the right to sail or fly through without permission from the country whose EEZ it is.

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Overlapping Claims

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Occur when the coastlines of countries are too close for their maritime zones to overlap. Disputes are often resolved by using the halfway (medial) line as the border.

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International Waters

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Beyond the EEZ, where no state has control. Governed by International Law like UNCLOS.

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Canals

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Artificial seaways constructed to reduce the distance ships need to travel between production points and markets.

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Transit Choke Points

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Narrow stretches of oceans between two land masses that are important for shipping and trade due to a large number of ships passing through. Can be sources of conflict.

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Spratlys

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An archipelago of disputed islands in the South China Sea, claimed by several countries including China and the Philippines.