Proposing a systematic analytical framework which assists in understanding and applying the international law regime governing State ocean jurisdiction with a view to improved ocean governance for sustainable development, this book distinguishes between, and focuses on, the form, the ground, the scope and the purpose of State ocean jurisdiction. Defining jurisdiction as the international-law authority of a State to be involved in a factual matter on the basis of a valid legal ground to perform authoritative acts impacting on that matter, it disaggregates the concept the complexity of which often leads to States failing to make full use of their existing ocean jurisdictions. In the process, it identifies when and to what extent there are gaps and overlaps of jurisdictions. Bringing clarity on an inevitably complex and often misunderstood framework that is aimed at striking a universally accepted balance of competing interests, the book lays the foundation for future research, contextualising the position of State ocean jurisdiction not only in terms of ocean governance, but in the whole of public international law. With an original systematic focus on State ocean jurisdiction, the book will be of interest to academics, students and practitioners working in the areas of international law of the sea, ocean governance, human rights and environmental law.
Preface xiii
Abbreviations xv
Table of Cases xx
Table of International Instruments xxvii
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Maritime uses 1
1.3 Maritime stakeholders 6
1.4 The concept of “State jurisdiction” 9
1.5 Analytical framework 17
2 The form of State ocean jurisdiction 22
2.1 Introduction 22
2.2 Legislative jurisdiction 24
2.2.1 Introduction 24
2.2.2 Categories of legislative provisions 25
2.2.2.1 Introduction 25
2.2.2.2 Constitutive provisions 26
2.2.2.3 Normative provisions 26
2.2.2.4 Performative provisions 27
2.2.2.5 Combination of provisions 28
2.2.3 Impact of legislative acts performed in the exercise of
legislative jurisdiction 28
2.2.3.1 Introduction 28
2.2.3.2 Performance of legislative acts 28
2.2.3.3 Contents of legislative provisions 29
(a) Introduction 29
(b) Constitutive provisions 29
(c) Performative provisions 31
Contents
vi Contents
(d) Normative provisions 32
(i) Introduction 32
(ii) Spatial application 32
(iii) Personal application 34
(iv) Hybrid application 35
(v) Subject matter 38
2.2.4 Executive acts 39
2.2.4.1 Introduction 39
2.2.4.2 Logistic acts 39
2.2.4.3 Process acts 40
2.2.4.4 Enforcement acts 40
2.2.5 Adjudicative acts 40
2.2.6 Definition of “legislative jurisdiction” 41
2.3 Executive jurisdiction 41
2.3.1 Introduction 41
2.3.2 Legislative acts 42
2.3.3 Executive acts 44
2.3.3.1 Types of executive acts 44
(a) Introduction 44
(b) Logistic acts 44
(c) Process acts 45
(i) Definition 45
(ii) Acts performed iure imperii 45
(iii) Acts performed iure gestionis 46
(d) Enforcement acts 46
2.3.3.2 Impact of executive acts 47
(a) Logistic acts 47
(b) Process acts 48
(c) Enforcement acts 48
2.3.4 Adjudicative acts 49
2.3.5 Definition of “executive jurisdiction” 50
2.4 Adjudicative jurisdiction 51
2.4.1 Introduction 51
2.4.2 Legislative acts 51
2.4.3 Adjudicative acts 52
2.4.3.1 Introduction 52
2.4.3.2 Acts performed to settle disputes between States
and other legal persons 52
2.4.3.3 Acts performed to settle disputes between private
legal persons 53
2.4.3.4 Acts performed to settle internal disputes 54
Contents vii
2.4.4 Executive acts 54
2.4.4.1 Introduction 54
2.4.4.2 Logistic acts 55
2.4.4.3 Process acts 55
2.4.4.4 Enforcement acts 56
2.4.5 Definition of “adjudicative jurisdiction” 56
2.5 Relationship between the legislative, executive and adjudicative
jurisdictions 56
2.6 Conclusion 59
3 The ground of State ocean jurisdiction 63
3.1 Introduction 63
3.2 Flag State jurisdiction 66
3.2.1 Introduction 66
3.2.2 Connecting factor 67
3.2.3 Establishment of the legal relationship 69
3.2.4 Evidence of the legal relationship 71
3.2.4.1 The right to fly a flag 71
3.2.4.2 Ship registries 72
3.2.4.3 Nature of the evidence 73
3.2.5 Nature of the legal relationship 76
3.2.5.1 Exclusive competence of every State 76
3.2.5.2 The requirement of genuineness 77
(a) Introduction 77
(b) The existence of the requirement that the link
be genuine 77
(c) The meaning of “genuineness” 82
(i) Introduction 82
(ii) Discussions at the International Law
Commission 84
(iii) Developments at and after UNCLOS I 87
(d) The recognition of genuineness 92
2.2.5.3 Additional requirements and restrictions 95
3.2.6 Cessation and change of the legal relationship 97
3.2.7 Multiplicity of legal relationships 100
3.2.8 Artificial objects other than ships 101
3.3 Coastal zone jurisdictions 102
3.3.1 Introduction 102
3.3.2 Territorial jurisdiction 102
3.3.2.1 Introduction 102
3.3.2.2 The concept of “coastal State” 103
viii Contents
3.3.2.3 The existence of the marine territory 106
3.3.2.4 The link between the matter and the territory 107
3.3.3 Extraterritorial coastal zone jurisdictions 109
3.3.3.1 Contiguous zone jurisdiction 109
3.3.3.2 Exclusive economic zone jurisdiction 110
3.3.3.3 Continental shelf jurisdiction 111
3.4 Personal jurisdiction 112
3.4.1 Introduction 112
3.4.2 Connecting factor 112
3.4.3 Legal relationship between the State and the person 113
3.4.4 Factual link between the State and the person 114
3.4.5 Link between the matter and the person 115
3.5 Universal jurisdictions 115
3.5.1 Introduction 115
3.5.2 Piracy jurisdiction 116
3.5.3 Slave trade jurisdiction 117
3.5.4 Statelessness jurisdiction 119
3.5.4.1 Introduction 119
3.5.4.2 Vessels without nationality 120
3.5.4.3 Vessels with more than one nationality 121
3.6 Port State jurisdiction 121
3.7 Delegated jurisdictions 122
3.8 Collective jurisdictions 124
3.9 Protective jurisdictions 126
3.10 Conclusion 126
4 The scope of State ocean jurisdiction 129
4.1 Introduction 129
4.2 Flag State jurisdiction 131
4.2.1 Extent of flag State jurisdiction 131
4.2.2 Relationship between flag State jurisdictions 132
4.2.3 Summary 134
4.3 Territorial jurisdiction 135
4.3.1 Extent of territorial jurisdiction 135
4.3.2 Relationship between territorial jurisdictions 137
4.3.3 Relationship between territorial jurisdiction and flag
State jurisdiction 139
4.3.3.1 Introduction 139
4.3.3.2 Legislative jurisdiction 139
4.3.3.3 Executive jurisdiction 141
(a) Principle 141
Contents ix
(b) Innocent passage, transit passage and
archipelagic sea lanes passage 143
(i) Introduction 143
(ii) Innocent passage 143
(iii) Transit passage 145
(iv) Archipelagic sea lanes passage 146
(c) Warships and other government vessels
operated for non-commercial purposes 146
(d) Cases of distress 148
4.3.3.4 Adjudicative jurisdiction 148
4.3.3.5 Relationship outside of the territory of the
coastal State 149
4.3.4 Summary 150
4.4 Personal jurisdiction 150
4.4.1 Extent of personal jurisdiction 150
4.4.2 Relationship between personal jurisdictions 151
4.4.3 Relationship between personal jurisdiction and flag State
jurisdiction 152
4.4.4 Relationship between personal jurisdiction and territorial
jurisdiction 154
4.4.5 Summary 155
4.5 Contiguous zone jurisdiction 155
4.5.1 Extent of contiguous zone jurisdiction 155
4.5.2 Relationship between contiguous zone jurisdictions 159
4.5.3 Relationship between contiguous zone jurisdiction and
flag State jurisdiction 162
4.5.4 Relationship between contiguous zone jurisdiction and
territorial jurisdiction 163
4.5.5 Relationship between contiguous zone jurisdiction and
personal jurisdiction 164
4.5.6 Summary 164
4.6 Exclusive economic zone jurisdiction 165
4.6.1 Extent of exclusive economic zone jurisdiction 165
4.6.1.1 Introduction 165
4.6.1.2 Article 56(1)(a) matters 165
4.6.1.3 Article 56(1)(b) matters 166
(a) Introduction 166
(b) Article 56(1)(b)(i) matters 167
(c) Article 56(1)(b)(ii) matters 167
(d) Article 56(1)(b)(iii) matters 168
4.6.1.4 Extent ratione loci 169
x Contents
4.6.2 Relationship between exclusive economic zone
jurisdictions 170
4.6.3 Relationship between exclusive economic zone
jurisdiction and flag State jurisdiction 171
4.6.3.1 Introduction 171
4.6.3.2 Article 56(1)(a) jurisdiction 171
4.6.3.3 Article 56(1)(b)(i) jurisdiction 172
4.6.3.4 Article 56(1)(b)(ii) jurisdiction 173
4.6.3.5 Article 56(1)(b)(iii) jurisdiction 174
4.6.4 Relationship between exclusive economic zone
jurisdiction and territorial jurisdiction 175
4.6.5 Relationship between exclusive economic zone
jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction 175
4.6.6 Relationship between exclusive economic zone
jurisdiction and contiguous zone jurisdiction 177
4.6.7 Summary 177
4.7 Continental shelf jurisdiction 178
4.7.1 Extent of continental shelf jurisdiction 178
4.7.2 Relationship between continental shelf jurisdictions 179
4.7.3 Relationship between continental shelf jurisdiction and
flag State jurisdiction 179
4.7.4 Relationship between continental shelf jurisdiction and
territorial jurisdiction 180
4.7.5 Relationship between continental shelf jurisdiction and
personal jurisdiction 181
4.7.6 Relationship between continental shelf jurisdiction and
contiguous zone jurisdiction 182
4.7.7 Relationship between continental shelf jurisdiction and
exclusive economic zone jurisdiction 182
4.7.8 Summary 183
4.8 Universal jurisdictions 183
4.8.1 Extent of the universal jurisdictions 183
4.8.1.1 Introduction 183
4.8.1.2 Extent of piracy jurisdiction 184
4.8.1.3 Extent of slave trade jurisdiction 185
4.8.1.4 Extent of statelessness jurisdiction 185
4.8.2 Relationship between universal jurisdictions 186
4.8.3 Relationship between the universal jurisdictions and flag
State jurisdiction 187
4.8.4 Relationship between the universal jurisdictions and
territorial jurisdiction 187
Contents xi
4.8.5 Relationship between the universal jurisdictions and
personal jurisdiction 188
4.8.6 Relationship between the universal jurisdictions and the
extraterritorial coastal zone jurisdictions 188
4.8.7 Summary 189
4.9 Port State jurisdiction 189
4.9.1 Extent of port State jurisdiction 189
4.9.1.1 Introduction 189
4.9.1.2 Supplementary function 189
4.9.1.3 Environmental protection 190
4.9.1.4 Fisheries 192
4.9.2 Relationship between the port State jurisdictions 195
4.9.3 Relationship between port State jurisdiction and flag
State jurisdiction 195
4.9.4 Relationship between port State jurisdiction and
territorial jurisdiction 195
4.9.5 Relationship between port State jurisdiction and personal
jurisdiction 196
4.9.6 Relationship between port State jurisdiction and the
extraterritorial coastal zone jurisdictions 197
4.9.7 Relationship between port State jurisdiction and the
universal jurisdictions 197
4.9.8 Summary 197
4.10 Delegated jurisdictions 198
4.10.1 Extent of the delegated jurisdictions 198
4.10.2 Relationship between the delegated jurisdictions and
the other jurisdictions 199
4.11 Collective jurisdictions 199
4.11.1 Extent of the collective jurisdictions 199
4.11.2 Relationship between the collective jurisdictions and
the other jurisdictions 200
4.12 Protective jurisdictions 200
4.12.1 Extent of the protective jurisdictions 200
4.12.1.1 Introduction 200
4.12.1.2 Protective jurisdiction exercised for State
security purposes 200
4.12.1.3 Protective jurisdiction exercised for economic
purposes 206
4.12.2 Relationship between the protective jurisdictions 207
4.12.3 Relationship between the protective jurisdictions and
flag State jurisdiction 207
xii Contents
4.12.4 Relationship between the protective jurisdictions and
territorial jurisdiction 208
4.12.5 Relationship between the protective jurisdictions and
personal jurisdiction 208
4.12.6 Relationship between the protective jurisdictions and
the extraterritorial coastal zone jurisdictions 209
4.12.7 Relationship between the protective jurisdictions and
the universal jurisdictions 209
4.12.8 Relationship between the protective jurisdictions and
port State jurisdiction 210
4.12.9 Summary 211
4.13 Conclusion 211
5 The purpose of State ocean jurisdiction 216
5.1 Introduction 216
5.2 Sovereign equality of States 216
5.3 Mare clausum, mare liberum and the package deal 219
5.4 Teleological principles 223
5.4.1 Introduction 223
5.4.2 Protection of the ius communicationis 224
5.4.3 Avoidance of harm 225
5.4.3.1 Introduction 225
5.4.3.2 Harm to States 225
5.4.3.3 Harm to individuals 227
5.4.3.4 Harm to the cultural and natural
environment 234
5.4.4 Pursuit of equity 238
5.4.5 Integrative cooperation 243
5.5 Purposive parameters 250
5.5.1 Introduction 250
5.5.2 Good faith 251
5.5.3 Abuse of rights 252
5.5.4 Reasonableness 253
5.5.4.1 Introduction 253
5.5.4.2 Performative reasonableness 254
5.5.4.3 Intersective reasonableness 258
5.6 Conclusion 261
6 Conclusion 263
Index
Biography
Patrick Vrancken is the incumbent of the South African Research Chair in the Law of the Sea and Development in Africa, which is funded by the South African National Research Foundation and hosted at Nelson Mandela University, where he is professor in the Department of Public Law.
