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Article

A Comparative Analysis of the International Legal Protection of Submarine Cables and Pipelines: Marine Environmental Implications of Damage to Submarine Pipelines
Jeonghee Lim1*
,
Youngdawng Moh2
1Center for Foreign Policy and National Security, The Asan Institute for Policy Studies, Seoul 03176, Korea
2Ocean Law and Policy Institute, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Busan 49111, Korea
*Corresponding Author
22 July 2026. pp. 1-16
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Abstract

Submarine cables and energy pipelines constitute critical subsea infrastructure underpinning global digital and energy networks. While the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other international legal frameworks establish a general regulatory system, they do not adequately distinguish between the different environmental risks posed by submarine cables and pipelines. Damage to submarine cables typically results in disruptions to communication, whereas damage to energy pipelines can cause serious environmental harm, including pollution, methane emissions, and damage to marine ecosystems. This paper argues that the existing legal framework under UNCLOS lacks sufficient detail and preventive measures to effectively mitigate the distinct vulnerabilities of submarine energy pipelines. The environmental differences between cables and pipelines necessitate a separate legal framework beyond existing uniform norms. This study examines the Nord Stream case and emerging issues in the Baltic Sea region, highlighting gaps in existing provisions under UNCLOS Part XII, Articles 206 (Environmental Impact Assessment) and Article 235 (Responsibility and Liability). The article further contends that these gaps necessitate the development of a more differentiated legal approach. It proposes potential avenues for reform, including the adoption of a dedicated legal instrument or protocol for submarine pipelines, strengthened integration with relevant environmental regimes such as the Espoo Convention and the Bucharest Convention, and the elaboration of preventive obligations grounded in due diligence and duty of care. Building on the work of the ILA, the study underscores the need for a more proactive and risk-based approach to the governance of subsea infrastructure. Without such a framework, future incidents involving submarine pipelines may fall outside effective regulatory control, posing significant risks to the marine environment.

Keywords
submarine cable
subsea infrastructure
submarine pipelines
nord stream
UNCLOS
marine environment
sabotage
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Information
  • Publisher :Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국해양과학기술원
  • Journal Title :Ocean and Polar Research
  • Journal Title(Ko) :Ocean and Polar Research
  • Volume : 48
  • Pages :1-16
  • Received Date : 2025-12-15
  • Revised Date : 2026-02-12
  • Accepted Date : 2026-03-04
  • Published Date : 2026-07-22
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.4217/OPR.2026018
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