What if your editor asked you to report on maritime activity, and you need to go out on a ship to observe cargo vessels, storms, or offshore operations in Bangladesh waters? Accurate reporting in these situations will require more than just observing, it will require understanding the rules and rights that govern these waters.
Which laws control foreign ships passing through? Who is responsible for search and rescue at sea? And what rights does Bangladesh have over offshore resources? Knowing these basics helps journalists report clearly and provide proper context.
First, journalists should be familiar with Innocent Passage, the right of a foreign ship to pass through a country’s territorial waters as long as it does not threaten security, conduct military operations, or engage in unauthorized activities. For example, a foreign cargo ship passing through the territorial waters near Chattogram port on its way to another country is exercising innocent passage. Bangladesh monitors whether foreign ships are following the rules and does not allow warships to conduct exercises or intelligence operations without prior permission.
Straight baselines of Bangladesh (Source: Atlas of Straight Baselines, Part 1, Edited by Francalanci et all)
Search and Rescue (SAR) operations define how authorities locate and assist people in distress at sea, guided by the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue. In Bangladesh, the Coast Guard routinely conducts search and rescue (SAR) missions in the Bay of Bengal. For instance, on April 10, 2025, the Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued 67 fishermen and four fishing trawlers that had been attacked by pirates in Barguna. Bangladesh’s authority ends near the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), beyond that, international law applies.
Members of Bangladesh Coast Guard rescuing 67 fishermen and 4 fishing boats detained by robbers in the Bay of Bengal in Barguna, on April 10, 2025. Source: The Asian Age
The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), defined under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coast. Within this zone, Bangladesh has rights to explore, exploit, and manage natural resources such as fish, gas, and oil. For example, Petrobangla oversees gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal, and fishing activities are controlled through licenses. Outside this zone, Bangladesh does not have control, and ships from all countries are free to travel.
Petrobangla conducting offshore gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal within Bangladesh’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Source: Prothom Alo
Territorial seas extend up to 12 nautical miles from Bangladesh’s coastline. In this area, Bangladesh full sovereignty over the waters and airspace. The country applies its laws here to manage ship movement, safety, and use of resources. Beyond this, the contiguous zone, extending up to 24 nautical miles, allows Bangladesh to take action to stop illegal activities related to customs, immigration, and pollution. Foreign ships are permitted to pass through this zone as long as they follow international laws, and Bangladesh monitors their activities to make sure the rules are followed.
Bangladesh’s maritime zones: Internal Waters, Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, Exclusive Economic Zone, and Continental Shelf. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Journalists should also understand maritime safety rules and pollution control laws, such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). MARPOL is a global treaty created by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to prevent pollution from ships, including oil spills, chemicals, sewage, garbage, and air emissions. These rules help ensure ships operate safely and protect the marine environment. They are applied along coasts like Cox’s Bazar, but enforcement can be weaker in remote areas or beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Oil spill from a deteriorating cargo vessel, illustrating the environmental hazards MARPOL aims to prevent in maritime zones. Source: Freepik
Other important concepts include High Seas, where all countries enjoy freedom of navigation, overflight, and fishing under global law. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) also provides the Right of Hot Pursuit, allowing Bangladesh to chase ships that break its laws from territorial waters into the High Seas. Fisheries regulations set who can fish and how much they can catch, while the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) ensure safe movement of ships. Bangladesh follows these international rules but does not claim control over areas beyond its EEZ.
Understanding these laws and rules allows journalists to report accurately, provide proper context, and avoid presenting normal maritime activities as threats or crises. Knowing both the definitions and Bangladesh specific applications, what the country enforces and what remains under international control helps reporters cover maritime stories with clarity and authority.
Verification Note: Information has been verified using official documents, trusted websites, and credible news sources. Unverified or exaggerated claims have been excluded to ensure accurate reporting on Bangladesh’s maritime laws and zones.
Afiya Ibnath Ayshi is a Fellow at Bangladesh Defence Journal. She covers defence, foreign affairs, and humanitarian issues, focusing on how regional and global developments influence Bangladesh’s security and diplomacy. A graduate in English from the University of Dhaka, she brings a research-based and balanced approach to her work.