CONVENTION ON THE TERRITORIAL SEA AND
THE CONTIGUOUS ZONE.
DONE AT GENEVA, ON 29 APRIL 1958
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 10 September 1964
The States Parties to this Convention
Have agreed as follows:
PART I
TERRITORIAL SEA
SECTION I. GENERAL
Article 1
1. The sovereignty of a State extends, beyond its land territory and its
internal waters, to a belt of sea adjacent to its coast, described as the
territorial sea.
2. This sovereignty is exercised subject to the provisions of these
articles and to other rules of international law.
Article 2
The sovereignty of a coastal State extends to the air space over the
territorial sea as well as to its bed and subsoil.
SECTION II. LIMITS OF THE TERRITORIAL SEA
Article 3
Except where otherwise provided in these articles, the normal baseline for
measuring the breadth of the territorial sea is the low-water line along
the coast as marked on large-scale charts officially recognized by the
coastal State.
Article 4
1. In localities where the coast line is deeply indented and cut into, or
if there is a fringe of islands along the coast in its immediate vicinity,
the method of straight baselines joining appropriate points may be employed
in drawing the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is
measured.
2. The drawing of such baselines must not depart to any appreciable extent
from the general direction of the coast, and the sea areas lying within the
lines must be sufficiently closely linked to the land domain to be subject
to the regime of internal waters.
3. Baselines shall not be drawn to and from low-tide elevations, unless
lighthouses or similar installations which are permanently above sea level
have been built on them.
4. Where the method of straight baselines is applicable under the
provisions of paragraph 1, account may be taken, in determining particular
baselines, of economic interests peculiar to the region concerned, the
reality and the importance of which are clearly evidenced by a long usage.
5. The system of straight baselines may not be applied by a State in such a
manner as to cut off from the high seas the territorial sea of another
State.
6. The coastal State must clearly indicate straight baselines on charts, to
which due publicity must be given.
Article 5
1. Waters on the landward side of the baseline of the territorial sea form
part of the internal waters of the State.
2. Where the establishment of a straight baseline in accordance with
article 4 has the effect of enclosing as internal waters areas which
previously had been considered as part of the territorial sea or of the
high seas, a right of innocent passage, as provided in articles 14 to 23,
shall exist in those waters.
Article 6
The outer limit of the territorial sea is the line every point of which is
at a distance from the nearest point of the baseline equal to the breadth
of the territorial sea.
Article 7
1. This article relates only to bays the coasts of which belong to a single
State.
2. For the purposes of these articles, a bay is a well-marked indentation
whose penetration is in such proportion to the width of its mouth as to
contain landlocked waters and constitute more than a mere curvature of the
coast. An indentation shall not, however, be regarded as a bay unless its
area is as large as, or larger than, that of the semi-circle whose diameter
is a line drawn across the mouth of that indentation.
3. For the purpose of measurement, the area of an indentation is that lying
between the low-water mark around the shore of the indentation and a line
joining the low-water marks of its natural entrance points. Where, because
of the presence of islands, an indentation has more than one mouth, the
semi-circle shall be drawn on a line as long as the sum total of the
lengths of the lines across the different mouths. Islands within an
indentation shall be included as if they were part of the water areas of
the indentation.
4. If the distance between the low-water marks of the natural entrance
points of a bay does not exceed twenty-four miles, a closing line may be
drawn between these two low-water marks, and the waters enclosed thereby
shall be considered as internal waters.
5. Where the distance between the low-water marks of the natural entrance
points of a bay exceeds twenty-four miles, a straight baseline of
twenty-four miles shall be drawn within the bay in such a manner as to
enclose the maximum area of water that is possible with a line of that
length.
6. The foregoing provisions shall not apply to so-called " historic " bays,
or in any case where the straight baseline system provided for in article 4
is applied.
Article 8
For the purpose of delimiting the territorial sea, the outermost permanent
harbour works which form an integral part of the harbour system shall be
regarded as forming part of the coast.
Article 9
Roadsteads which are normally used for the loading, unloading and anchoring
of ships, and which would otherwise be situated wholly or partly outside
the outer limit of the territorial sea, are included in the territorial
sea. The coastal State must clearly demarcate such roadsteads and indicate
them on charts together with their boundaries, to which due publicity must
be given.
Article 10
1. An island is a naturally-formed area of land, surrounded by water, which
is above water at high-tide.
2. The territorial sea of an island is measured in accordance with the
provisions of these articles.
Article 11
1. A low-tide elevation is a naturally-formed area of land which is
surrounded by and above water at low-tide but submerged at high-tide. Where
a low-tide elevation is situated wholly or partly at a distance not
exceeding the breadth of the territorial sea from the mainland or an
island, the low-water line on that elevation may be used as the baseline
for measuring the breadth of the territorial sea.
2. Where a low-tide elevation is wholly situated at a distance exceeding
the breadth of the territorial sea from the mainland or an island, it has
no territorial sea of its own.
Article 12
1. Where the coasts of two States are opposite or adjacent to each other,
neither of the two States is entitled, failing agreement between them to
the contrary, to extend its territorial sea beyond the median line every
point of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baselines from
which the breadth of the territorial seas of each of the two States is
measured. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply, however, where
it is necessary by reason of historic title or other special circumstances
to delimit the territorial seas of the two States in a way which is at
variance with this provision.
2. The line of delimitation between the territorial seas of two States
lying opposite to each other or adjacent to each other shall be marked on
large-scale charts officially recognized by the coastal States.
Article 13
If a river flows directly into the sea, the baseline shall be a straight
line across the mouth of the river between points on the low-tide line of
its banks.
SECTION III. RIGHT OF INNOCENT PASSAGE
SUB-SECTION A. RULES APPLICABLE TO ALL SHIPS
Article 14
1. Subject to the provisions of these articles, ships of all States,
whether coastal or not, shall enjoy the right of innocent passage through
the territorial sea.
2. Passage means navigation through the territorial sea for the purpose
either of traversing that sea without entering internal waters, or of
proceeding to internal waters, or of making for the high seas from internal
waters.
3. Passage includes stopping and anchoring, but only in so far as the same
are incidental to ordinary navigation or are rendered necessary by force
majeure or by distress.
4. Passage is innocent so long as it is not prejudicial to the peace, good
order or security of the coastal State. Such passage shall take place in
conformity with these articles and with other rules of international law.
5. Passage of foreign fishing vessels shall not be considered innocent if
they do not observe such laws and regulations as the coastal State may make
and publish in order to prevent these vessels from fishing in the
territorial sea.
6. Submarines are required to navigate on the surface and to show their
flag.
Article 15
1. The coastal State must not hamper innocent passage through the
territorial sea.
2. The coastal State is required to give appropriate publicity to any
dangers to navigation, of which it has knowledge, within its territorial
sea.
Article 16
1. The coastal State may take the necessary steps in its territorial sea to
prevent passage which is not innocent.
2. In the case of ships proceeding to internal waters, the coastal State
shall also have the right to take the necessary steps to prevent any breach
of the conditions to which admission of those ships to those waters is
subject.
3. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 4, the coastal State may, without
discrimination amongst foreign ships, suspend temporarily in specified
areas of its territorial sea the innocent passage of foreign ships if such
suspension is essential for the protection of its security. Such suspension
shall take effect only after having been duly published.
4. There shall be no suspension of the innocent passage of foreign ships
through straits which are used for international navigation between one
part of the high seas and another part of the high seas or the territorial
sea of a foreign State.
Article 17
Foreign ships exercising the right of innocent passage shall comply with
the laws and regulations enacted by the coastal State in conformity with
these articles and other rules of international law and, in particular,
with such laws and regulations relating to transport and navigation.
SUB-SECTION B. RULES APPLICABLE TO MERCHANT SHIPS
Article 18
1. No charge may be levied upon foreign ships by reason only of their
passage through the territorial sea.
2. Charges may be levied upon a foreign ship passing through the
territorial sea as payment only for specific services rendered to the ship.
These charges shall be levied without discrimination.
Article 19
1. The criminal jurisdiction of the coastal State should not be exercised
on board a foreign ship passing through the territorial sea to arrest any
person or to conduct any investigation in connexion with any crime
committed on board the ship during its passage, save only in the following
cases:
(a) If the consequences of the crime extend to the coastal State; or
(b) If the crime is of a kind to disturb the peace of the country or the
good order of the territorial sea; or
(c) If the assistance of the local authorities has been requested by the
captain of the ship or by the consul of the country whose flag the
ship flies; or
(d) If it is necessary for the suppression of illicit traffic in narcotic
drugs.
2. The above provisions do not affect the right of the coastal State to
take any steps authorized by its laws for the purpose of an arrest or
investigation on board a foreign ship passing through the territorial sea
after leaving internal waters.
3. In the cases provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article, the
coastal State shall, if the captain so requests, advise the consular
authority of the flag State before taking any steps, and shall facilitate
contact between such authority and the ships crew. In cases of emergency
this notification may be communicated while the measures are being taken.
4. In considering whether or how an arrest should be made, the local
authorities shall pay due regard to the interests of navigation.
5. The coastal State may not take any steps on board a foreign ship passing
through the territorial sea to arrest any person or to conduct any
investigation in connexion with any crime committed before the ship entered
the territorial sea, if the ship, proceeding from a foreign port, is only
passing through the territorial sea without entering internal waters.
Article 20
1. The coastal State should not stop or divert a foreign ship passing
through the territorial sea for the purpose of exercising civil
jurisdiction in relation to a person on board the ship.
2. The coastal State may not levy execution against or arrest the ship for
the j purpose of any civil proceedings, save only in respect of obligations
or liabilities assumed or incurred by the ship itself in the course or for
the purpose of its voyage through the waters of the coastal State.
3. The provisions of the previous paragraph are without prejudice to the
right of the coastal State, in accordance with its laws, to levy execution
against or to arrest, for the purpose of any civil proceedings, a foreign
ship lying in the territorial sea, or passing through the territorial sea
after leaving internal waters.
SUB-SECTION C. RULES APPLICABLE TO GOVERNMENT SHIPS
OTHER THAN WARSHIPS
Article 21
The rules contained in sub-sections A and B shall also apply to government
ships operated for commercial purposes.
Article 22
1. The rules contained in sub-section A and in article 18 shall apply to
government ships operated for non-commercial purposes.
2. With such exceptions as are contained in the provisions referred to in
the preceding paragraph, nothing in these articles affects the immunities
which such ships enjoy under these articles or other rules of international
law.
SUB-SECTION D. RULE APPLICABLE TO WARSHIPS
Article 23
If any warship does not comply with the regulations of the coastal State
concerning passage through the territorial sea and disregards any request
for compliance which is made to it, the coastal State may require the
warship to leave the territorial sea.
PART II
CONTIGUOUS ZONE
Article 24
1. In a zone of the high seas contiguous to its territorial sea, the
coastal State may exercise the control necessary to:
(a) Prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary
regulations within its territory or territorial sea;
(b) Punish infringement of the above regulations committed within its
territory or territorial sea.
2. The contiguous zone may not extend beyond twelve miles from the baseline
from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
3. Where the coasts of two States are opposite or adjacent to each other,
neither of the two States is entitled, failing agreement between them to
the contrary, to extend its contiguous zone beyond the median line every
point of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baselines from
which the breadth of the territorial seas of the two States is measured.
PART III
FINAL ARTICLES
Article 25
The provisions of this Convention shall not affect conventions or other
international agreements already in force, as between States Parties to
them.
Article 26
This Convention shall, until 31 October 1958, be open for signature by all
States Members of the United Nations or of any of the specialized agencies,
and by any other State invited by the General Assembly of the United
Nations to become a Party to the Convention.
Article 27
This Convention is subject to ratification. The instruments of ratification
shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Article 28
This Convention shall be open for accession by any States belonging to any
of the categories mentioned in article 26. The instruments of accession
shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Article 29
1. This Convention shall come into force on the thirtieth day following the
date of deposit of the twenty-second instrument of ratification or
accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
2. For each State ratifying or acceding to the Convention after the deposit
of the twenty-second instrument of ratification or accession, the
Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after deposit by
such State of its instrument of ratification or accession.
Article 30
1. After the expiration of a period of five years from the date on which
this Convention shall enter into force, a request for the revision of this
Convention may be made at any time by any Contracting Party by means of a
notification in writing addressed to the Secretary-General of the United
Nations.
2. The General Assembly of the United Nations shall decide upon the steps,
if any, to be taken in respect of such request.
Article 31
The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inform all States Members
of the United Nations and the other States referred to in article 26:
(a) Of signatures to this Convention and of the deposit of instruments of
ratification or accession, in accordance with articles 26, 27 and 28;
(b) Of the date on which this Convention will come into force, in
accordance with article 29:
(c) Of requests for revision in accordance with article 30.
Article 32
The original of this Convention, of which the Chinese, English, French,
Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with
the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall send certified
copies thereof to all States referred to in article 26.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, being duly authorized
thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Convention.
DONE at Geneva, this twenty-ninth day of April one thousand nine hundred
and fifty-eight.
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