Brunei–Malaysia Border - Maritime Borders - Continental Shelf Claim

Continental Shelf Claim

Brunei claims a continental shelf/exclusive economic zone stretching 200 nautical miles from its coast. The boundaries of this zone are effectively the straight line extensions from the terminus of the borders defined by the North Borneo (Definition of Boundaries) Order in Council, 1958 and The Sarawak (Definition of Boundaries) Order in Council, 1958. It asserts that its eastern boundary extends from the 100 fathom isobath at 5°13′52.2″N 114°55′12″E / 5.231167°N 114.92000°E / 5.231167; 114.92000 to 8°15′13.8″N 111°56′16.2″E / 8.253833°N 111.937833°E / 8.253833; 111.937833 while the western boundary extends from the 100 fathom isobath at 5°2′00″N 113°46′00″E / 5.03333°N 113.76667°E / 5.03333; 113.76667 to 7°35′19.2″N 111°5′30″E / 7.588667°N 111.09167°E / 7.588667; 111.09167. The EEZ outer limit runs between the two distant points parallel to the coast.

Brunei's EEZ claim would include waters surrounding the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The area claimed by Brunei however does not include any islands but includes Louisa Reef, which is currently occupied by Malaysia.

Until 2009, Malaysia did not recognise Brunei's EEZ claim and stated that Brunei's maritime territories ended at the 100 fathom isobath. In its 1979 territorial waters and continental shelf map, Malaysia claimed the area to be part of its continental shelf and depicted the Brunei-Malaysian border as running up to the 100 fathom isobath. Brunei did not recognise these assertions made by Malaysia.

The Exchange of Letters signed on 16 March 2009 by the two countries provided for Malaysia's recognition of Brunei's territorial waters which it had earlier disputed. A joint committee is to determine the final maritime border between the two countries.

See below for more on the dispute between the two countries.