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The Law of the Sea
United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea
UNCLOS-III
Cdr M I Haque,(H2),psc,BN
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 Sea is the lifeline of
development
 States had a tendency
to control the sea
 It also ignites conflict
between the nations
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 Rhodian Sea Law – is the Oldest Sea Law
 The Treaty of Tordesillias – in 1493
 Collection of local customs & traditions
 Jurisdiction exercised by the JUDGE COUNSELS
 Used for safe Navigation & Trade
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Highlight the salient technical
aspects of UNCLOS-III and visualize
the maritime zones of Bangladesh
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 Familiarization with UNCLOS-III
 Use of Terms & Scope
 Demarcation of Maritime Zones
 Maritime boundary delineation
 Maritime Zones Act 1974
SEQUENCE
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COVER PAGE INNER PAGE
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UNCLOS-III FAMILIARIZATION
 UNCLOS-I formed – 1956
 UNCLOS-II convened – 1960
 Opened for Signature – 10 Dec 1982
 Entered Into Force – 16 Nov 1994
 17 Parts, 320 Articles and 9 Annx
 Largest negotiation of UN history
 Process Began – 1950s
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IMPORTANT
TERMS
OF
UNCLOS-III
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BASELINES
 Normal Baseline
 Straight Baseline
 Archipelagic Straight Baseline
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2 4 7 9 11 10 12
1 4 5 9 10 11 12
1 2 3 5 6 8 9 10 10 12 13
1 3 5 6 8 9 10 11
1 2 4 5 7 8 10 1 2 13
2 3 4 5 7 8 9 11 10 12
1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 12 14
3 5 5 6 8 10 12 13
FOX LAND
0
0
0
0
0
Normal Baseline
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STRAIGHT BASELINE
May be applied:
 In Indented Coast
 Mouth of River
 Mouth of Juridical Bay
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2 4 7 4 9 10 12
1 2 4 6 7 8 10
2 6 8 10
2 3 4 7 8 9 10 12
7 6 6 7 8 9 10
3 6 6 6 6 7 8 10
8 6 6 8 10 11 12
BAN LAND
Port
Low Tide Elevation
Indented Unstable
Coast
 Follow the General Direction of the Coastline
 Not to be Drawn, TO AND FROM, Low Tide Elevations
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LANDBAN LAND
Straight Baseline
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Length of the
mouth is less
then 24 nm
BAY CLOSING LINE
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2 5 7 8 6 3
4 8 10 6
2 3 4 3
3 4 10 11 12 3
2 3 4 3
3 3 2 5 9 10 13 11 10 9 3 5
4 3
5 5 6 7 9 10 13 11 9 8
6 8 10 11 14 13 10 9
7 9 11 14 18 15 9
M O N T E N E G R O
MONTENEGRO
BAY
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B
Juridical Bay
NOT A
Juridical Bay
A
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B
Juridical Bay
NOT A
Juridical Bay
A
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B
Juridical Bay
NOT A
Juridical Bay
A
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B
Juridical Bay
NOT A
Juridical Bay
A
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B
Juridical Bay
NOT A
Juridical Bay
A
B
Land Locked
Water Area
B
Water Area of
Semi-circle
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ARCHIPELAGIC STRAIGHT BASELINE
Archipelagic Waters
Internal Water
TS
CZ
EEZ
CS
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24
BAN LAND
Port
2 4 7 4 9 10 12
1 2 4 6 7 8 10
2 6 8 10
2 3 4 7 8 9 10 12
7 6 6 7 8 9 10
6 6 6 7 8 10
8 6 6 8 10 11 12
12 nm
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 Regulations for the protection of her own interest
 Establish traffic separation schemes
 May suspend the right of innocent passage
RIGHTS OVER TERRITORIAL SEA
TS
12nm
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BAN LAND
Port
2 4 7 4 9 10 12
1 2 4 6 7 8 10
2 6 8 10
2 3 4 7 8 9 10 12
7 6 6 7 8 9 10
6 6 6 7 8 10
8 6 6 8 10 11 12
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30 50 70 80 90 110
10 45 50 70 80 120
30 70 90 110 145
35 50 80 125 155
10 50 70 80 90 110 145
15 35 90 110 165
25 70 110 160
200 nm
E E Z
Installation of
Artificial Island
Protection of Maritime Environment
Marin Scientific
Research
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Rise
Abyssal
Plain
FOS
CONTINENTAL SHELF
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Limits of Continental Shelf
Formula No. 1
Extend up to that point, where the thickness
of the sedimentary rock (T) is at least 1% of
the shortest distance (D) between FOS &
that point.
 (T) = > 1% of (D)
Rise
Abyssal
Plain
FOS
Extended
Point [P]
T
D
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Rise
Abyssal
Plain
FOS
Limits of Continental Shelf
Formula No. 2 Extend up to 60 nm from FOS
Extended Point
60
..nm
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Rise
Abyssal
Plain
FOS
Limitation No. 1
Max length shall not exceed
350nm from baseline
Baseline
Max 350 nm
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Rise
Abyssal
Plain
FOS
Limitation No. 2
Shall not exceed 100nm from
2500m contour
2500m Contour
Line
D = < 100nm
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HIGH SEAS
Not included in:
 EEZ
 TS
 Internal Waters
 Archipelagic Waters
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500m
Safety Zone
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DUTIES AND RIGHTS
 Coastal state has right to control /
prevent unauthorized activities
 Ensure navigational and all other safety
aspects
 Protection and prevention of environment
 Conservation of living resources
 Other state can enjoy innocent / transit
passage
 Right of Hot Pursuit
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WARSHIP’S RIGHTS
 Engaged in piracy
 Engaged in slave trade
 Engaged in unauthorized broadcasting
 Without Nationality
 Refusing to show its flag
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MARITIME BOUNDARY DELINEATION
 Follow UNCLOS-III and other international laws
 Territorial Sea (TS) generally do not extend
beyond equidistance line
 Baseline disputes to be solved
 Desirable to have a continuous line that separates-
TS, EEZ & CS
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METHODS OF
BOUNDARY DELINEATION
 Equidistance Method
Equidistance Line
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METHODS OF
BOUNDARY DELINEATION
 Equidistance Method
 Equi-ratio Method
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METHODS OF
BOUNDARY DELINEATION
 Equidistance Method
Equi-ratio Method
 General direction of the coast
90 0
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METHODS OF
BOUNDARY DELINEATION
 Equidistance Method
 Equi-ratio Method
 General direction of the coast
 Thalwege concept
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METHODS OF
BOUNDARY DELINEATION
 Equidistance Method
 Equi-ratio Method
 General direction of the coast
 Thalwege concept
 Proportionality
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METHODS OF
BOUNDARY DELINEATION
 Equidistance Method
 Equi-ratio Method
 General direction of the coast
 Thalwege Concept
 Proportionality
 Prolongation of Land Boundary
Int. Land
Boundary
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SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
 International Tribunal for LOS
 The ICJ
 Arbitral Tribunal
 Special Arbitral Tribunal
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B A N G L A D E S H
Internal Waters
12 nm
18nm
Contiguous Zone
EEZ
200 nm
Maritime Zone Act 1974
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INDIA
BOUNDARY DELINEATION
+
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B A N G L A D E S H

HIRAN POINT
PUTNI
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BANGLADESH
INDIA
MYANMAR
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BANGLADESH
INDIA
MYANMAR
90 0
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BANGLADESH
INDIA
MYANMAR
90 0
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UNCLOS-III
IMPLICATION ON BANGLADESH
 Baseline of Bangladesh to be Reviewed
 Maritime Zones to be Reviewed
 Maritime Boundary Delineation Issues to be
Solved as per UNCLOS-III
 Peaceful Use of Bay of Bengal
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Port
Principle of
Maritime
Demarcation
Maritime Act
1974
Re-demarcate
Maritime
Zones of
Bangladesh
Settlement of
Disputes As
Per UNCLOS-
III
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Clarification
of Doubts
AFTER
A
SHORT BREAK

UNCLOS 3