Archipelagic Sea Lanes Passage

Archipelagic sea lanes passage is the right of continuous, expeditious, and unobstructed transit by ships and aircraft through sea lanes and air routes designated by an archipelagic state across its archipelagic waters and adjacent territorial sea. It is set out in UNCLOS Articles 53 and 54 and resembles transit passage through straits: it cannot be suspended, and vessels exercise it in their normal mode of operation. An archipelagic state may designate sea lanes and traffic separation schemes (Article 53), subject to adoption by the competent international organization, the IMO. Where it has not designated lanes, the right may be exercised through routes normally used for international navigation.