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Maritime warfare often centers on controlling critical chokepoints such as straits and canals, as well as enforcing naval blockades to disrupt enemy trade and resupply efforts. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea establishes guidelines for freedom of navigation, territorial waters, and Exclusive Economic Zones.
Freedom of Navigation vs. Military Necessity
During a state of war, belligerent nations frequently claim broad exclusion zones across international shipping lanes, threatening commercial shipping.
Core Conflict Areas
- Legality of blockades: Rules requiring blockades to be effective, declared, and non-discriminatory against neutral shipping.
- Subsea infrastructure protection: Safeguard mechanisms for undersea telecommunications cables and energy pipelines from covert naval sabotage.
- Navigation rights in straits: Balancing sovereign transit rights with coastal security concerns during active hostilies.
What legal enforcement mechanisms can neutralize maritime grey-zone activities and protect merchant fleets in contested waters?
