Kuststater

Kuststater is the Swedish and Norwegian term for coastal states—countries that have a coastline on seas or oceans. The term covers sovereign states with shorelines, whether they are continental, island-based, or archipelagic. It is used in international law and maritime policy discussions to distinguish these states from landlocked states, which lack direct sea access.

Under international law, kuststater possess certain rights and responsibilities in different maritime zones. The territorial sea extends up to 12 nautical miles, where the state has sovereignty. The contiguous zone, up to 24 nautical miles, allows enforcement of laws related to customs, immigration, and pollution. The exclusive economic zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles, granting the state sovereign rights to explore and exploit living and non-living resources and to regulate environmental protection and economic activity. The continental shelf may confer rights to resources on the seabed and subsoil beyond the EEZ. Foreign vessels retain freedoms of navigation and overflight where permitted, and coastal states have duties to protect the marine environment and cooperate with others on issues such as security, search and rescue, and fisheries management.

Impact and challenges: kuststater oversee ports, shipping lanes, energy and mineral extraction, and fisheries, and they face pressures from overfishing, pollution, climate change, and evolving Arctic access for northern states. The status as a kuststat influences diplomatic priorities, regional security arrangements, and economic development strategies tied to maritime activity.