An exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a sea zone defined by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) over which a state has rights regarding the exploration of marine resources, including energy production. It stretches to a maximum of 200 nautical miles from the coast.

Territorial waters, according to UNLCOS, extend to 12 nautical miles from a country’s coast. This is regarded as the sovereign territory of the state, although foreign ships (both military and civilian) are allowed “innocent passage.” (CONTINUED - 251 WORDS)