Proposed Kingdom Act would approve St Eustatius-Kitts maritime treaty

A proposed Kingdom Act seeks parliamentary approval for a maritime-boundary treaty between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and St Kitts and Nevis, according to the explanatory memorandum accompanying the legislation. The treaty was signed in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis, on Thursday 4 April 2024, and the memorandum says ratification remains dependent on completion of the approval procedures.

The proposed boundary would extend about 140 kilometres, or 75 nautical miles, around St Eustatius and St Kitts and Nevis. According to the memorandum, its northern end would connect with the Kingdom's maritime delimitation agreement with France, concluded in Philipsburg on Wednesday 6 April 2016, involving Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin.

The memorandum says technical discussions began in 2013 and representatives agreed on treaty text on Friday 12 September 2014. Signing was delayed while St Kitts and Nevis considered its first maritime boundary internally, before indicating in late 2023 that it was prepared to proceed.

The treaty would allow St Eustatius and St Kitts and Nevis to consult on management of surrounding marine areas, according to the memorandum. It also provides for consultation if oil or gas deposits crossing the boundary are identified. The memorandum states that no such deposits are known in the area south of St Eustatius, St Kitts or Nevis.

According to the memorandum, negotiations on maritime boundaries involving Anguilla and the US Virgin Islands are continuing with the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively.