Article 13(1) of the LOSC defines low-tide elevations as follows: A low-tide elevation is a naturally formed area of land which is surrounded by and above water

The definition of an island is provided in Article 121(1) of the LOSC: An island is a naturally-formed area of land, surrounded by water, which is above water a

Article 11 of the LOSC provides a rule concerning harbour works: For the purpose of delimiting the territorial sea, the outermost permanent harbour works which

Concerning river mouths, Article 9 of the LOSC stipulates: If a river flows directly into the sea, the baseline shall be a straight line across the mouth of the

Recently the number of bays bordered by more than one State has increased owing to the break-up of existing composite States. The legal regime of such bays thus

The TSC and the LOSC contain no definition of historic bays. According to the Annex VII Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea Arbitration (Merits), a ‘histor

In this regard, the Arbitral Tribunal, in the 1910 North Atlantic Coast Fisheries case, stated: the geographical character of a bay contains conditions which co

Straight baselines can be defined as: a system of straight lines joining specified or discrete points on the low-water line, usually known as straight baseline

The normal baseline is the low-water line drawn along the coast. In this regard, Article 5 of the LOSC provides as follows: Except where otherwise provided in t

The seaward limits of each jurisdictional zone are measured from baselines. Thus rules concerning baselines are of particular importance in the law. In particul