A country’s maritime boundary draws the limits of its exclusive economic zones, territorial waters and other maritime zones. Their establishment is governed by UNCLOS or the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
They are crucial for shipping as they define a country’s jurisdictional waters, enabling safe navigation by identifying where a ship can operate, where specific regulations are applicable, and where access might be limited, contributing to international maritime order and preventing conflicts that might arise from unclear boundaries.
Maritime boundaries are important regarding ships’ access to ports, fishing zones, use of marine resources like minerals, and exploration within a country’s exclusive economic zone or EEZ.
They are usually established at a specific distance from the country’s coastline, often defined by the equidistance principle, stating that a country’s boundary should be equidistant from the coastlines of its neighbours.
In this article, let us look at 10 countries with the largest maritime boundaries.
1. France
One of the countries with the most expansive maritime boundaries is France, given its overseas departments and territories across the world’s oceans which is why it has the largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world.
French maritime spaces cover approximately 10.7 million square kilometres, representing the world’s second-largest maritime space after the U.S.
France is a coastal state which neighbours almost all oceans and its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) covers 11,691,000 km2 (4,514,000 sq mi), which is around 8% of the world’s exclusive economic zones while the nation’s land area represents only 0.45% of the world’s land area.
The country also claims some of Canada’s Exclusive Economic Zone at Saint Pierre and Miquelon, based on a new definition of the continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone between the two nations.
2. United States
The U.S has the second biggest EEZ, including areas in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the 3 Oceans. It occupies around 4,383,000 sq mi, about 7.77% of the world’s total EEZ area.
The U.S covers a land area of approximately 3,800,000 sq mi, making it the third largest nation in the world.
Alaska makes up the United States’ biggest EEZ, followed by Hawaii. There are some disputes as well regarding maritime boundaries with neighbouring countries.
For instance, the U.S-Canada maritime boundary is partially disputed in regions like the Gulf of Maine and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The Machias Sea Island is claimed by both the U.S and Canada, leading to a grey zone conflict in surrounding waters.
Bajo Nuevo Bank and Serranilla Bank are claimed by Colombia and also the U.S.
3. Australia
Australia’s EEZ spans up to 200 nautical miles from its coastline and its external territories, minus regions where it has a maritime delineation agreement with another country.
Australia has the third biggest EEZ in the world, covering around 3,283,922 square miles. It claimed an extra 965,255 square miles directly beyond its EEZ which was confirmed in 2008 by the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
The Australian mainland and Tasmania among minor islands have the most significant sea zone that covers around 2,335,408 sq mi.
Australia has many maritime boundary arrangements with Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, France and New Zealand. It has not entered into any delimitation arrangements with other nations in relation to maritime areas near the Australian Antarctic Territory.
4. Russia
Moscow has extensive maritime boundaries, thanks to its vast coastline that spans over 37,000 kilometres along the Arctic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, as well as the Baltic and the Black Seas.
Russia has the 4th largest EEZ of 7,566,673 km2, within which it manages fish stocks and marine biodiversity. Its navy conducts regular patrols and exercises in its territorial waters to assert its control and demonstrate its military capacity.
In May 2024, Russia proposed a bill to extend its borders in the Baltic Sea, heightening tensions with its neighbours; Lithuania and Finland. This move has been met with strong opposition from NATO members.
Russia has disputes regarding its maritime borders with the U.S in the Bering Sea which was established in 1990 but remained sensitive due to overlapping claims in certain areas.
5. Japan
Japan covers 380,000 km2 and its EEZ and territorial waters including the Seto Inland Sea cover 4.47 million square kilometres.
The Japanese Archipelago has around 6852 islands. The Exclusive Economic Zone of Japan includes several islands like the Ryukyu Islands, Nanpo Islands, Minami-Tori-shima, Daito Islands and Senkaku Islands.
This zone offers rich fishing grounds and other marine resources crucial for Japan’s economy.
Japan faces disputes regarding its EEZ boundaries with neighbouring countries like China, South Korea, Russia and Taiwan. These disputes often arise due to overlapping claims in resource-rich regions and are part of regional geopolitics.
6. Brazil
Brazil’s EEZ spans 3.6 million km2, 468,599 km2 surrounding Trindade and Martim Vaz Archipelago, 363,373 km2 around the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and 413,641 km2 around the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago.
The famous Blue Amazon is part of the ocean within Brazil’s waters. Like the Amazon, it is abundant in minerals and natural resources.
Deep-sea mining activities beyond Brazil’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are currently under negotiation to explore for minerals beyond its Atlantic shoreline. However, experts have raised concerns about the potential damage to the ocean environment.
Chile, with one of the largest EEZs spanning 3,681,989 km2, plays a crucial role in its economy, ecology, and international relations. The country has maritime boundaries with Peru and Argentina, with the boundary between Chile and Peru established by the International Court of Justice in 2014.
The Philippines, an archipelagic state with approximately 7,000 islands, faces overlapping claims in its maritime jurisdiction, particularly with China. Legislative efforts such as the signing of the Maritime Zones Act aim to reinforce the Philippines’ sovereignty over its maritime territories amidst rising regional tensions.
India, with a 12 nm territorial maritime zone and a 200 nm exclusive economic zone, has maritime borders with seven countries. The country’s EEZ, spanning around 2.3 million square kilometers, includes strategic regions like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands.
Mexico’s exclusive economic zone covers 3,269,386 square kilometers, with maritime boundaries established with the U.S., Cuba, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. The Gulf of Mexico boundary with the U.S. was defined through treaties signed in the 1970s.
Countries with large maritime boundaries benefit from increased access to marine resources, economic growth, and improved international maritime trade. Coastal attractions and cruise ship facilities also promote regional tourism. Please provide the content that needs to be rewritten. different words or phrases:
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