10 Countries With Largest Maritime Boundaries

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. Beyond Brazil’s EEZ, there are ongoing negotiations regarding deep-sea mining to explore for minerals beyond the confines of its Atlantic shoreline.

However, experts have suggested that these activities could seriously damage the ocean environment.

7. Chile

Chile’s maritime boundaries play a vital role in its economy, ecology and international relations. Its EEZ spans 3,681,989 km2, which makes it one of the countries with the biggest exclusive economic zones in the world.

Chile has maritime boundaries with Peru and Argentina. The International Court of Justice established the maritime boundary between Chile and Peru in 2014.

The boundary starts from where the geographic parallel through Landmark N° 1 intersects the low tide line. The boundary then extends 80 nm and continues southwest along an equidistant line, till it intersects with the 200 nm limit measured from the baselines of both countries.

Chile’s boundary with Argentina is defined by a 1977 Arbitral Award and a 1984 bilateral agreement.

Ships sailing within its waters or EEZ must comply with Chilean maritime laws and regulations, including reporting requirements, fishing restrictions and environmental standards.

8. The Philippines

As an archipelagic state having 7000 islands, the Philippines’ maritime jurisdiction includes several zones that extend from its baselines into the surrounding waters. The Philippine EEZ covers approximately 2,263,816 km2 of area.

The country faces overlapping claims, with the most contentious relation being with China which asserts extensive claims over the South China Sea through its nine-dash line. This clashes with regions claimed by the Philippines as part of the EEZ, especially around the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal.

Taiwan also claims part of the EEZ in contested regions such as the Bashi Channel. Malaysia and Indonesia also have contentious claims with Manila in regions near the Spratly Islands. Vietnam and Japan have maritime interests which intersect with the Philippine claims in several regions of the South China Sea.

Recent legislative efforts like the signing of the Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act aim to reinforce the Philippines’ sovereignty over its maritime territories amidst rising regional tensions.

9. India

India has a 12 nm territorial maritime zone and a 200 nm exclusive economic zone. It has over 7000 km long maritime border with seven countries including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia, Thailand and Pakistan.

The delimitation of these boundaries has mostly been resolved through treaties but a few disputes remain, with Bangladesh and Pakistan regarding areas in the Bay of Bengal.

India’s EEZ spans around 2.3 million square kilometres and includes the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands. This region is strategic for the country and provides it with minerals, and fish and supports other commercial activities. Ships of all the countries have the right to pass through India’s territorial sea.

The Indian Ocean is a strategic area for trade routes and naval presence. India’s relations with its neighbours are influenced by these borders which affect regional stability and cooperation in maritime security.

10. Mexico

Mexico’s coastline runs along the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of California and the Caribbean Sea. The country’s exclusive economic zone covers 3,269,386 square kilometres.

Mexico’s maritime boundary with the U.S. was established through the treaties signed in the 1970s.

In the Gulf of Mexico, the boundary begins at the mouth of Rio Grande and goes in a straight line to delineate areas for both the U.S and Mexico, within their territorial seas and EEZs.

Mexico also has maritime boundaries with Cuba, especially regarding their EEZs in the Caribbean Sea and also with Guatemala, Belize and Honduras.

Conclusion

Countries with the largest maritime boundaries benefit from increased access to marine resources such as fish stocks, potential reserves of oil and gas, and minerals, which enables economic growth. They also gain an edge in international maritime trade due to easier access to sea routes. A vast coastline also means coastal attractions like beaches and cruise ship facilities that promote regional tourism.

You might also like to read-

• Understanding International Waters: Boundaries, Jurisdiction And Legal Implications
• 6 Reasons That Lead To Port Congestion
• 11 Busiest Shipping Lanes In The World
• Types Of Water Transport

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Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

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