Maritime Glossary
UNCLOS
Also known as: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Law of the Sea Convention
The international treaty defining the rights and responsibilities of states with respect to the world's oceans.
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Full Definition
UNCLOS was adopted in 1982 and entered into force in 1994. It establishes maritime zones: territorial sea (12 NM), contiguous zone (24 NM), exclusive economic zone (200 NM), and continental shelf. It codifies freedom of navigation on the high seas, innocent passage through territorial waters, transit passage through international straits, and rights of landlocked states. UNCLOS created the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
Domain Tags
regulationlegalinternational law