International law regarding subsea cable placement

Legal expert Dr. Aspasia Aligizaki has addressed the dispute regarding the laying of subsea cables in maritime areas claimed by Turkey. While Ankara maintains that no activities can occur on the continental shelf it claims without its permission, international law provides a different framework.

According to Article 79 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), all states have the right to lay submarine cables on the continental shelf. Beyond territorial waters, the laying of an international subsea cable does not require general permission from a coastal state. A coastal state may only take reasonable measures related to the exploration and exploitation of natural resources.

A critical legal distinction exists between cables and pipelines. While UNCLOS requires consent for the route of pipelines, it does not mandate the same for cables. The convention specifies that beyond 12 nautical miles, a coastal state should not impede the laying or maintenance of cables.