Maritime Security in the Baltic and Japanese Straits From the Perspective of EEZ Corridors

Abstract

This study focuses on the practice of the Baltic Sea coastal states and Japan in voluntarily limiting the outer extent of their territorial sea in straits. The reasons for the establishment of narrow exclusive economic zone (EEZ) corridors in straits are mostly related to security considerations. This article examines the consequences of such state practice for navigational regimes and for the protection of critical offshore infrastructure. It is argued that the abolition of an EEZ corridor results in the nominal increase of a coastal state’s sovereign territory, whereas it implies a decrease in the substantive scope of sovereignty over the relevant maritime area.