The US economic zone refers to the area extending up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline of the United States’ coastline. Within this boundary, the United States has special rights related to exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing natural resources.
This includes both the water column and the seabed below. What sets it apart is that this economic zone is not just theoretical—it directly fuels industries such as energy, fisheries, and maritime transport.
I’ve worked in the logistics and trade industry for over 35 years, and the US economic zone plays a central role in how we build our supply chains, plan trade routes, and assess market opportunities. When I first got into the third party logistics business, I thought of ports as entry points and warehouses as endpoints.
But the longer I worked with clients managing FTZs and import-export strategy, the more I realized how important the oceanic economic footprint of the U.S. really is. This isn’t just sea space; it’s an economic asset that stretches well beyond land borders.
The US economic zone is regulated under international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Within these waters, the United States can control activities like offshore drilling, fishing, and marine research.
Over the decades, we’ve seen significant activity in areas like the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Northwest, where natural gas extraction and commercial fisheries provide huge contributions to local and national economies. This zone also acts as a strategic security buffer, giving the U.S. a presence in waters that might otherwise be contested by foreign nations.
I remember one client in the offshore drilling sector who had to pivot their entire supply strategy after new EEZ regulations emerged. It reminded me that these maritime boundaries are not just regulatory lines—they are business-defining edges.
A lot of what we do at Tri-Link FTZ revolves around navigating complex trade environments. Knowing how the US economic zone interacts with customs, compliance, and environmental policy is key to building a successful import-export pipeline.
There’s a lot of confusion around these acronyms, so let me break them down. The US economic zone is essentially the same as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from a legal standpoint.
It refers to offshore waters where the U.S. has resource rights. A Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), on the other hand, is a land-based area—usually near ports or airports—where imported goods can be stored or processed without immediately incurring customs duties.
Here’s a quick comparison table to make it easier:
Zone Type | Location | Purpose | Example |
US Economic Zone | Offshore (up to 200 nm) | Natural resource control & economic sovereignty | Gulf of Mexico oil platforms |
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) | International term | Legal concept under UNCLOS | U.S., Japan, Canada EEZs |
Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) | Onshore (near ports) | Trade facilitation & duty deferral | FTZ #98, Port of Houston |
Knowing the difference matters. We once helped a European company set up shop in an FTZ thinking it gave them rights to fish off the U.S. coast. It doesn’t.
That’s the kind of oversight that can cost a business time and money. Read more here.
The commercial potential of the US economic zone is massive. Energy companies are investing heavily in offshore wind, especially off the Atlantic coast.
Mineral exploration is also heating up, with critical minerals like cobalt and rare earths being investigated along the Pacific floor. Fisheries continue to be one of the most active sectors, with tightly managed quotas to ensure sustainability.
One of our partners specializes in cold storage logistics for seafood, and their business is directly linked to fishing activity within the US economic zone. What’s caught there gets fast-tracked into supply chains through FTZs where processing and redistribution are optimized.
This interconnectedness is something we focus on when designing end-to-end trade solutions. With technology evolving, even data cables and undersea infrastructure within the zone are becoming valuable assets.
These not only support global internet connectivity but also demand careful coordination between private companies and federal regulators. Read more here.
The U.S. has full jurisdiction over the natural resources in its economic zone, but this comes with the responsibility to manage and protect them. Agencies like NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard monitors illegal fishing, pollution, and unauthorized resource extraction.
At Tri-Link FTZ, we’ve had clients ask about setting up operations close to these boundaries. My advice is always the same: know who governs the waters you’re entering.
We stay ahead of policy updates so our clients aren’t caught off guard. Enforcement isn’t just about stopping bad actors; it’s about keeping commercial interests aligned with national strategy.
In some cases, that means tighter restrictions; in others, it might open up new permit applications for offshore wind or undersea mining. Having legal clarity makes all the difference when you’re preparing to invest.
Just a few years ago, we saw stepped-up patrols near contested boundaries in the Pacific. That visibility gave confidence to U.S. firms looking to expand offshore operations, knowing their investment had government backing.
The US economic zone isn’t just about domestic growth. It plays a pivotal role in global trade and international diplomacy.
As tensions rise in places like the South China Sea, the precedent set by the U.S. in managing and protecting its EEZ has ripple effects across the world. Other nations observe how we enforce boundaries, manage resources, and cooperate with allies.
This influence extends to energy markets, climate science, and even satellite and space debris tracking. The oceans are no longer just shipping lanes—they’re highways of data, fuel, and information.
At Tri-Link FTZ, we frequently monitor how international agreements and conflicts affect our clients’ operations, particularly those with maritime dependencies. In fact, more than once, we’ve re-routed entire logistics strategies based on political developments involving EEZ disputes.
That’s how integral this zone is to long-term planning. If your business touches global trade or marine-based supply chains, understanding the US economic zone isn’t optional—it’s strategic.
After decades in the logistics and FTZ industry, I can tell you firsthand that the US economic zone is one of the most important yet underappreciated elements of global trade. It fuels the backbone of our natural resource economy, from energy to fisheries to cutting-edge mineral recovery.
It provides not just opportunity, but leverage—for American businesses and international partners who understand how to operate within its legal and economic framework. At Tri-Link FTZ, we’re committed to helping companies navigate this complex landscape with clarity and strategy.
Whether you’re looking to expand into offshore markets, align with compliance policies, or leverage trade incentives, knowing where the boundaries lie—and what lies within them—is the first step. The US economic zone isn’t just about ocean territory. It’s about unlocking the future of trade, technology, and sustainability. And we’re here to help you do exactly that.
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