Competition for seabed resources: Washington challenges international deep-sea mining regime

Günther Maihold

No 34/2025, SWP Comments from Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), German Institute for International and Security Affairs

Abstract: As the search for reliable sources of critical raw materials turns to the ocean floor, international conflicts could result. Although very little is known about the possible impacts of deep-sea mining, Washington has launched an initiative that undermines the existing international regime for seabed minerals. Currently, they are considered a global common good under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). If the United States unilaterally launches commercial deep-sea mining, it would undermine a touchstone of international law and shake the foundations of ocean diplomacy and international maritime affairs. Germany, together with 36 other countries, spoke out against this at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) in June 2025, reaffirming its support for a "precautionary pause" on the introduction of this high-risk technology. In view of current global political turbulence, that line should be maintained.

Keywords: Deep sea mining; Seabed mining; Marine mining; minerals; mineral resources; energy transition; critical minerals; rare earths; nickel; copper; cobalt; manganese; manganese nodules; Clarion-Clipperton Zone; CCZ; United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; UNCLOS; International Seabed Authority; ISA; environmental protection; ocean governance; ocean diplomacy; Mininig Code; Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:swpcom:324887

DOI: 10.18449/2025C34

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