REPUBLIC OF VANUATU

MARITIME ZONES ACT

Act No. 6 Of 2010

Arrangement of Sections

PART 1
PRELIMINARY MATTERS

1. Interpretation

PART 2
INTERNAL WATERS AND ARCHIPELAGIC WATERS

2. Sovereignty of Vanuatu
3. Internal Waters
4. Archipelagic waters
5. Innocent passage

PART 3
ROADSTEADS, TERRITORIAL SEA AND CONTIGUOUS ZONE

6. Roadsteads
7. Territorial Sea
8. Contiguous Zone

PART 4
DELIMITATION OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE

9. Establishment of an exclusive economic zone
10. Rights and jurisdiction of Vanuatu in its exclusive economic zone

PART 5
DELIMITATION OF THE CONTINENTAL SHELF

11. Continental Shelf
12. Rights in Jurisdiction over Continental Shelf
13. Artificial islands, installations and structures

PART 6
MISCELLANEOUS

14. Definition
15. Research in the Seas of Vanuatu
16. Minister to regulate matters in relation to the research
17. Regulations
18. Charts and Geographical Coordinates
19. Reservation of Rights
20. Saving of orders
21. Repeal
22. Commencement

REPUBLIC OF VANUATU

Assent: 18/06/2010
Commencement: 18/06/2010 

MARITIME ZONES ACT

Act No. 6 Of 2010

An Act to provide for the delimitation of the maritime zones and for other related matters.

Be it enacted by the President and Parliament as follows-

part 1 
preliminary matters

1. 	Interpretation

In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:

bay means an indentation of the coast with an area of not less than that of the semicircle, the diameter of which is a line drawn across the mouth of the indentation;

Convention means the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982;
foreign vessel means any vessel other than a local vessel;

island means a naturally formed area of land, surrounded by water, which is above water at high tide;

Minister means the Minister responsible for the Maritime Zones;

nautical mile means an international nautical mile of 1,852 metres;

ship or vessel includes any kind of ship, vessel, boat or craft designed, used or capable of being used solely or partly for marine navigation without regard to method or lack of propulsion;

warship means a ship belonging to:

(a)	the armed forces of a State bearing the external marks distinguishing such ships of its nationality; and

(b)	is under the command of an officer duly commissioned by the government of the State; and

(c)	 has its name appears in the appropriate service list of the State or its equivalent; and

(d)	 is manned by a crew which is under regular armed forces discipline.

part 2
internal wAters and archipelagic waters

2. 	Sovereignty of Vanuatu

The Sovereignty of Vanuatu comprises of:

(a)	all islands within the archipelago including Mathew (Umaenupne) and Hunter (Leka) islands ; and

(b)	any islands or reefs forming or formed within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Vanuatu.

3. 	Internal waters

The internal waters of Vanuatu form part of the national territory of Vanuatu and consist of:

(a)	the waters on the landward side of the baselines from which the territorial sea of Vanuatu is measured; and

(b)	for areas enclosed by archipelagic baselines- all waters that are contained within the innermost limits of the archipelagic waters.

4. 	Archipelagic waters

(1)	In this section:

low-water line means:

(a)	the relevant low water datum line shown on the latest relevant British Admiralty Charts or where there is no such datum, the lowest astronomical tide line; or

(b)	if there is doubt on the relevant British Admiralty chart, the Minister may by order establish a chart for the purpose of this definition.

(2)	The sovereignty of Vanuatu extends to the archipelagic waters, including the airspace over them as well as the seabed, subsoil and all resources contained in them and enclosed by the archipelagic baselines points 1:59 as prescribed by the Minister.

(3)	The innermost limits of the archipelagic waters comprise of:

(a)	the low water line; or

(b)	in the case of the sea adjacent to a bay if:

(i)	the bay has only one mouth and the distance 	between the low water line of the natural entrance points of the bay does not exceed 24 nautical miles- along a closing line joining those low water lines; or

(ii)	because of the presence of islands, the bay has more than one mouth and the distance between the low 	waterlines of the natural entrance points of each mouth added together do not exceed 24 nautical miles- along a series of closing lines across each of the mouths so as to join those low water lines; or

(iii)	neither paragraph (i) or (ii) applies- along a closing line 24 nautical miles in length drawn from low water line to low water line within the bay in such a manner as to enclose the maximum area of water that is possible with a line of that length; or

(c)	in the case of the mouth or each mouth of a river which flows into the sea- a closing line across the river mouth between points on the low water line of its banks.

5. 	Innocent passage

(1)	In this section:

innocent passage means navigation through the territorial sea and archipelagic waters for the purpose of:

(a)	traversing the territorial sea or archipelagic waters without entering the internal waters of Vanuatu or calling at a roadstead or port facility outside internal waters; or

(b)	proceeding to or from internal waters or a call at such roadstead or port facility.

(2)	Subject to this Act, a foreign vessel, warship or submarine may enjoy the right of innocent passage.

(3)	The right of innocent passage by a foreign vessel, submarine or warship must be:

(a)	continuous, expeditious , and in conformity with the Convention and other rules of international law; and

(b)	in a manner that is not prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of Vanuatu.

(4)	A foreign vessel, submarine or warship that exercises the right of innocent passage may be allowed to stop and anchor if:

(a)	such activities are incidental to the ordinary navigation of the foreign vessel, submarine or warship; or

(b)	it is necessary because of natural disaster or distress; or

(c)	it is necessary to provide assistance to a person, foreign vessel, submarine, warship or aircraft that is in danger or distress.

(5)	A foreign vessel, submarine or warship that exercises the right of innocent passage must not engage in all or any of the following activity:

(a)	causing any threat or use of force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of Vanuatu or acts in any other manner in violation of the principles of international law embodied in the Charter of the United Nations; or

(b)	engaging in any exercise or practice using weapons of any kind; or

(c)	being involved in any act aimed at collecting information to the prejudice of the defence or security of Vanuatu; or

(d)	 taking part in any act of propaganda aimed at affecting the defence or security of Vanuatu; or

(e)	being involved in the launching, landing or taking on board of any aircraft.

(6)	For the purpose of this section, a foreign vessel, submarine or warship may engage in any exercise if it has obtained a prior written approval of the Minister to carry out that exercise.

(7)	The captain of a foreign vessel, warship or submarine that contravenes paragraph (5) (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT30, 000,000.

(8)	The Minister may by Order prescribe the sea lanes or traffic separation scheme for foreign vessels, submarine or warships exercising the right of innocent passage for the purpose of the safety of the navigation and regulation of the passage of such foreign vessels, submarine or warship.

(9) 	A submarine that enjoys the right of innocent passage must navigate on the surface and display its flag in a prominent place.

(10)	The following foreign vessels, or warship are to enjoy the right of innocent passage, subject to the prior written approval of the Minister:

(a)	a foreign warship; or

(b)	a foreign nuclear- powered ship; or

(c)	a foreign vessel or ship carrying any nuclear substance or any other dangerous or noxious substance; or

(d)	a submarine.

(11)	A foreign vessel or foreign warship that exercises the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea or archipelagic waters, must carry necessary documents and observe special precautionary measures established by the international agreements.

(12)	The Minister may:

(a)	take any steps necessary to prevent any passage which is not innocent; or

(b)	take any steps to prevent any breach of the conditions upon 	which ships proceeding to internal waters or call at a port facility are to be admitted;

(c)	suspend temporarily the right of innocent passage in such areas of the territorial sea or archipelagic waters if it is necessary to do so for the protection of the security of Vanuatu.

(13)	A suspension made under paragraph (12) (c) takes effect on the date on which it is made.

PART 3
ROADSTEADS, TERRITORIAL SEA AND CONTIGUOUS ZONE

6	Roadsteads

For the purposes of this Act, roadsteads which are used for the loading, unloading and anchoring of ships, and which are situated wholly or partly outside the outer limit of the territorial sea of Vanuatu, are taken to be included in the territorial sea of Vanuatu.

7	Territorial Sea

(1)	The sovereignty of Vanuatu extends beyond its land territory, internal waters, and archipelagic waters, to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea and to the airspace over it and its seabed and subsoil.

(2)	The territorial sea of Vanuatu comprises:

(a)	those areas of the sea having as their inner limits the baselines described in subsection 4(2), and as their outer limits a line established seaward from those baselines every point of which is at a distance of 12 nautical miles, from the nearest point of the relevant baseline; and

(b)	those areas of the sea having as their inner limits the low water line of the coasts of Matthew (Umaenupne) and Hunter (Leka) Islands enclosed by basepoints 1:249 for Mathew (Umaenupne) and basepoints 1:255 for Hunter (Leka) Islands and as their outer limits a line established seaward from those baselines every point of which is at a distance of 12 nautical miles.

(3)	If the Minister is satisfied that Vanuatu has historic or other title of sovereignty over a bay, waters or any other area, he or she may, by Order , declare a title to that bay, waters or other area and define the seaward limits of such bay, waters or other area.

8	Contiguous Zone

The contiguous zone of Vanuatu comprises the maritime zone contiguous to the territorial sea which extends to a distance of 24 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

PART 4
DELIMITATION OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE

9	Establishment of an exclusive economic zone

(1)	An exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Vanuatu is established beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea of Vanuatu.

(2)	The exclusive economic zone comprises the maritime zone contiguous to the territorial sea which extends to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

(3)	The boundaries of the exclusive economic zone are to be resolved as follows:

(a)	the exclusive economic zone boundaries with other States is to be effected by agreement on the basis of international law as referred to in Article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, in order to achieve an equitable solution; or

(b)	if there is any dispute between Vanuatu and another State concerning the delimitation of the boundaries of the exclusive economic zone of Vanuatu and such other State, the dispute is to be resolved by an agreement; or

(c)	if, however, the dispute cannot be resolved by an agreement under paragraph (3)(b), the dispute is to be resolved by:

(i)	the Conciliation procedures under Part XV of the Convention; or

(ii)	 by any other procedure authorized by international law.

10	Rights and jurisdiction of Vanuatu in its exclusive economic zone

(1)	Vanuatu has sovereign rights in the exclusive economic zone, in respect of:

(a)	the exploration, exploitation, conservation and management of the natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the waters superjacent to the sea-bed and of the sea-bed and its subsoil; and

(b)	all other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration within the exclusive economic zone, including production of energy from currents and winds; and

(c)	all other rights as are recognized by the Convention or otherwise by international law.

(2)	Vanuatu has jurisdiction and control in the exclusive economic zone, in respect of:

(a)	the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations and structures; and

(b)	the authorization, regulation and control of scientific research and the recovery of archaeological or historical objects; and

(c)	the preservation and protection of the marine environment and the prevention and control of marine pollution; and

(d)	all other areas of jurisdiction as are recognized by the Convention or otherwise by international law.

PART 5
DELIMITATION OF THE CONTINENTAL SHELF

11	Continental Shelf

(1)	The continental shelf of Vanuatu comprises of the sea-bed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend:

(a)	beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin; or

(b)	to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance.

(2)	If the continental margin referred to in section (1) extends beyond 200 nautical miles from the nearest point of the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured, the outer limits of the continental shelf is to be established in accordance with Article 76 of the Convention.

(3)	The boundaries of the continental shelf of Vanuatu are to be resolved as follows:

(a)	the continental shelf boundaries with other States is to be effected by agreement on the basis of international law- as referred to in Article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, in order to achieve an equitable solution; or

(b)	if there is any dispute between Vanuatu and another State concerning the delimitation of the boundaries of the 	continental shelf of Vanuatu and such other State, the dispute is to be resolved by an agreement; or

(c)	if, however, the dispute cannot be resolved by an agreement under paragraph (3)(b), the dispute is to be resolved by:

(i)	 the Conciliation procedures under Part XV of the Convention; or

(ii)	 any other procedure authorized by international law.

12	Rights in Jurisdiction over Continental Shelf

(1)	Vanuatu has the following exclusive rights in the continental shelf:

(a)	rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting its natural resources; and

(b)	rights to authorize and regulate drilling for all purposes; and

(c)	 rights to construct, operate, maintain and use of artificial islands, installations and structures; and

(d)	rights to prevent, reduce or control pollution from pipelines; and

(e)	 rights to exploit the subsoil by means of tunnelling, irrespective of the depth of the water above the subsoil.

(2)	A person must not exercise any of the rights under paragraph 1(a), (b), (c), (d) or (e), unless the person has obtained a prior written approval of the Council of the Ministers to do so.

(3)	The natural resources referred to in paragraph (1)(a) consists of:

(a)	the mineral and other non-living resources of the seabed and subsoil together with living organisms belonging to sedentary species, and

(b)	organisms which, at the harvestable stage, either are immobile on or under the seabed or are unable to move except in 	constant physical contact with the seabed or the subsoil.

(4)	To avoid doubt, the rights of Vanuatu over the continental shelf do not depend:

(a)	on Vanuatu’s occupation of the continental shelf; or

(b)	on the notion of occupation of the continental shelf; or

(c)	by any express order.

13	Artificial islands, installations and structures

(1)	Vanuatu has the exclusive right in its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf to regulate the construction, operation and use of, artificial islands, installation and structures.

(2)	Vanuatu has the exclusive jurisdiction and control over artificial islands, installations and structures, including with respect to customs, fiscal, health, safety and immigration laws and regulations.

(3)	The Minister may with the prior approval of the Council of Ministers, by order:

(a)	establish safety zones around artificial islands, installations and structures to ensure the safety of navigation and of the artificial islands, installations and structures; or

(b)	determine the breadth of safety zones, taking into account applicable international standards:

(i)	 to ensure that they are reasonably related to the nature and function of the artificial islands, installations or structures; and 

(ii)	that they do not exceed a distance of 500 metres around them, measured from each point of their outer edge, except as authorized by generally accepted international standards or as recommended by the competent international organization; or

(c)	determine the depth, position and dimensions of the artificial islands, installation and structure; or

(d)	determine the depth, position and dimensions of the safety zones.

(4)	The Minister is responsible to ensure that permanent means for giving warning of artificial islands, installations and structures is established and maintained.

(5)	A local or foreign vessel must observe and respect the safety zones and must comply with generally accepted international standards regarding navigation in the vicinity of artificial islands, installations, structures and safety zones.

(6)	The laws and regulations of Vanuatu apply:

(a)	to any marine installation or structure from the time it is attached or anchored to the continental shelf of Vanuatu for:

(i)	the exploration of that shelf; or

(ii)	the exploitation of its mineral ;or

(iii)	the exploitation of other non-living resources,

until the marine installation or structure is removed from the waters above the continental shelf of Vanuatu; or

(b)	to any artificial island constructed, erected or placed on the continental shelf of Vanuatu; or

(c)	within such safety zone surrounding any marine installation or structure or artificial island referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) as determined by the Regulations.

(7)	In this section, marine installation or structure includes:

(a)	any ship or ship wreck, anchor, anchor cable or rig pad; and

(b)	any offshore drilling unit, production platform, sub-sea installation, pumping station, living accommodation, storage structure, loading or landing platform, dredge, floating crane, pipe laying or other barge or pipeline and any anchor, anchor cable or rig pad.

PART 6
MISCELLANEOUS

14	Definition

In this Part:

research means a marine scientific research.

15	Research in the Seas of Vanuatu

(1)	The State has the exclusive right to regulate, authorize and conduct a research in its territorial seas and archipelagic waters.

(2)	Subject to the provisions of the Convention, the State may in the exercise of its jurisdiction:

(a)	regulate, authorize and conduct a research in its:

(i)	exclusive economic zone; and

(ii)	on its continental shelf.

(3)	A person other than the State must not carry on a research in the continental shelf unless the person has obtained a prior written approval of the Minister after consultation with other relevant agencies to do so.

(4)	A person who contravenes subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT20, 000,000

(5)	The Minister may impose conditions for his or her decision made under subsection (3).

(6)	A copy of the report of findings of the research must be submitted to the Minister within 3 months after the completion of the report.

(7)	A person who conducts a research must declare to the Minister, any data or sample taken or anything that is of a unique feature found during the course of the research within Vanuatu’s sovereign boundary.

(8)	To avoid doubt, any data or sample taken and any unique feature found during the course of the research remains the property of the State.

(9)	A person who fails to comply with subsection (7) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT10, 000,000.

16	Minister to regulate matters in relation to research

(1)	The Minister may make Regulations prescribing matters in relation to the research and may provide for all or any of the following:

(a)	collection of data and carrying out of investigations for the purpose of understanding oceans and their ecosystems and living and nonliving resources;

(b)	conducting of hydrographic and oceanographic surveys of the seas and internal waters of Vanuatu;

(c)	conducting of maritime scientific surveys relating to fisheries resources and their supporting habitat and ecosystems;

(d)	conducting of basic and applied research relating to hydrography, oceanography and other marine sciences, including the study of fish and their supporting habitat and ecosystems;

(e)	preparation and publication of data, reports, statistics, charts, maps, plans, sections and other documents relating to the 	seas and internal waters of Vanuatu.

(f)	authorization and distribution or sale of data, reports, statistics, charts, maps, plans, sections and other documents;

(g)	preparation and publication of charts delineating, consistent with the nature and scale of the charts, all or part of the territorial sea, archipelagic waters, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Vanuatu and adjacent waters; and

(h)	participation in ocean technology development.

(2)	In addition to subsections (1), the Minister may regulate:

(a)	the coordination, promotion and recommendation of national policies and programs with respect to fisheries science, hydrography, oceanography and other marine sciences;

(b)	the conduct, and cooperation of persons conducting, applied and basic research programs, investigations and economic studies for the purpose of understanding oceans and their living resources and ecosystems;

(c)	 the maintenance and operation of ships, research institutes, laboratories and other facilities for research, surveying and monitoring for the purpose of understanding oceans and their living resources and ecosystems;

(d)	the provision of scientific advice, services and support to the ministries and departments of the Government of Vanuatu and, on behalf of the Government of Vanuatu, to other States, international organizations and to other persons, regarding marine and maritime matters.

17	Regulations

(1)	The Minister may make Regulations prescribing matters:

(a)	required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or

(b)	that are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for the carrying out or giving effect to the provisions of this Act.

(2)	Without limiting subsection (2), the Minister may make Regulations to:

(a)	 regulate the use of the internal waters, territorial sea, archipelagic waters, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf;

(b)	 set, and collect the fees to be paid in relation to any activity other than fishing, pleasure boats, exploration and exploitation of non-living resources taking place in the internal waters, territorial sea, archipelagic waters, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf;

(c)	prescribe any other matter authorized to be prescribed by this Act, the Convention, or international law pertaining to internal waters or the seas.

18	Charts and Geographical Coordinates

(1)	The Minister may by Order publish charts or lists of geographical coordinates specifying the geodetic data showing the following:

(a)	the baselines, low-water lines, straight baselines, and any closing lines; and

(b)	the seaward limits of the territorial sea, the archipelagic waters, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf; and

(c)	any sea lanes, air routes or traffic separation schemes.

(2)	The data prepared under subsection (1) may be provided to the United Nations and other authorities as required by the Convention.

19	Reservation of Rights

To avoid doubt, all rights and powers of the State that are provided in the Convention but are not expressly provided in this Act, are reserved to the State.

20	Saving of orders

An Order made under paragraph 13 (a) of the Maritime Zones Act [CAP 138] that was in force immediately before commencement of this Act continues in force, on and after commencement of this Act, as if it had been made under this Act.

21	Repeal

The Maritime Zones Act [CAP 138] is repealed.

22	Commencement

This Act commences on the date on which it is published on the Gazette.