Murdoch, Andrew --- "Ships without nationality: interdiction on the high seas" [2020] ELECD 197; in Evans, D. Malcolm; Galani, Sofia (eds), "Maritime Security and the Law of the Sea" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2020) 157

Book Title: Maritime Security and the Law of the Sea

Editor(s): Evans, D. Malcolm; Galani, Sofia

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Section: Chapter 7

Section Title: Ships without nationality: interdiction on the high seas

Author(s): Murdoch, Andrew

Number of pages: 23

Abstract/Description:

Stateless vessels pose significant threats to good order at sea as they are often involved in illegal activities, such as piracy, terrorism and smuggling migrants. This chapter will examine the LOSC provisions on the right of visit and right of hot pursuit focusing on their relevance and application to the interdiction of stateless vessels on the high seas. The chapter will question whether states have a right or a duty to interdict stateless vessels on the high seas for enforcing security at sea and will discuss the legal implications of using force as well as arresting and prosecuting the persons on board a stateless vessel. It will also focus on the practice of the Royal Navy and will explain that interdiction rules might change depending on whether a stateless ship is suspected of piracy or trafficking in migrants. It will be argued that although the LOSC framework does not expressly deal with the assertion of jurisdiction over ships without nationality, it nevertheless provides a sufficiently accommodating framework for states to address maritime security threats posed by such ships.