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UNCLOS Summary Table PDF
UNCLOS Summary Table PDF
(Maritime) Zone
Description
Internal Waters
(ports, harbors,
rivers, lakes,
canals, and
navigable
waterways)
Bays
Historic bays
Permanent
Harbour Works
Rivers
Territorial Sea
Length
Sovereign Rights
same in extent as
sovereignty over land
Absolute jurisdiction
Regulate Access to Ports: it may exclude all foreign
vessels from its ports. If the foreign vessel:
merely passing through: the flag State has
jurisdiction (French rule).
docked, the coastal State may exercise
jurisdiction (English rule).
territorial sea
the airspace
above it
the seabed
and subsoil
Diameter: not
more than 24
nm
12nm from
-low water
mark (normal
baseline)
- straight
baselines
(archipelagic)
(based on
CANON SHOT
RULE)
CRIMINAL JURISDICTION
the coastal state can exercise its criminal jurisdiction in
connection with any crime committed on board the ship
during its passage if:
1. the consequences of the crime extend to the
coastal state
2. the crime disturbs the peace of the country or
good order of the territorial sea
3. the ships master or diplomatic agent/consular
officer of the flag state requested the assistance
of the local authorities
4. it is necessary to suppress illicit traffic in narcotic
drugs.
CIVIL JURISDICTION:
levying execution or arresting the ship only in respect
of obligations or liabilities assumed or incurred by the
ship itself in the course of or for the purpose of its
voyage through the waters of the coastal state
Archipelagic
Waters
GR length of
baselines: max
100 nm
X: up to 3% of
all the
baselines may
reach up to
125 nm
Full sovereignty
Archipelagic
waters
the airspace
above it
the seabed
and subsoil
Contiguous Zone
Continental Shelf
24 nm from
baseline
200 nm from
baseline
Extended: 350
nm
Does not
extend to the
sea
airspace
non-resource
material in the
shelf area
(wrecked
ships and
their cargoes)
Limited to
EEZ
High Seas
200 nm from
baseline
minerals
natural
resources
sedentary
species (not
living)
Natural resources of the
sea
seabed
subsoil
waters superadjacent to
the seabed
5.
shelf.
Right to regulate laying of submarine cables
and pipelines
internal waters
archipelagic waters
territorial sea
1. freedom of navigation
2. freedom of overflight: to both civilian and military
aircraft
3. freedom of fishing: includes the duty to
cooperate in taking measures to ensure the
conservation and management of the living
resources of the high seas.
4. freedom to lay submarine cables and pipelines
5. freedom to construct artificial islands and
structures
6. freedom of scientific research.