6 - Determination of the Area of Overlapping Entitlements

Summary

Relevant coasts and relevant area are two essential concepts in the delimitation methodology. This Chapter reflects on their determination in the continental shelf delimitation beyond 200 nautical miles. It argues that the judicial and arbitral decisions that have delimited the continental shelf beyond 200 nm unduly expanded the scope of the coasts and areas that were deemed relevant in the delimitation process. It further examines other factors that may contribute to a precise determination of the area of overlapping entitlements to the continental shelf beyond 200 nm, which include the coastal relationship, the 200-nautical-mile limits, the foot of the continental slope, and the outer limits of the continental shelf.