Territorial Disputes and Maritime Claims
The race for control over the seabed has reached a critical juncture, marked by both hardening diplomatic positions and intensified military activity. On August 1, 2026, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theatre Command conducted joint naval and air drills near Scarborough Shoal. Beijing described the exercises as a “necessary action” in response to what it termed the “illegal” territorial bids of other regional countries.
The military maneuver followed the Philippines’ formal submission to the United Nations, in which Manila sought to extend its seabed rights beyond its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. The Philippines argues that the area off the coast of Palawan constitutes a natural extension of its continental shelf. China, which claims sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, has vehemently rejected the move, with its UN mission urging the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf to dismiss the claim. The dispute is further complicated by Beijing’s recent establishment of specific regulations for a nature reserve around the shoal, which explicitly prohibit unauthorized mining and extraction activities.
The Shift to Subsea Infrastructure
While states maneuver for sovereignty, the technological landscape is simultaneously evolving to enable persistent presence on the ocean floor. Ocean Power Technologies (OPTT) recently announced the acquisition of intellectual property from Columbia Wave Power, a move CEO Philipp Stratmann described as a transition from surface-level operations to comprehensive seabed infrastructure. By integrating subsea wave power generation, the company aims to provide the “operational infrastructure layer” necessary to power autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), sensors, and junction boxes.
This capability is increasingly sought after by defense and security agencies. Ocean Power Technologies has already secured significant contracts with the U.S. Coast Guard and continues to engage with the Department of Homeland Security. The ability to deploy persistent, non-grid-connected power systems allows for continuous data streaming and monitoring in remote maritime zones, effectively bridging the gap between surface maritime domain awareness and deep-sea surveillance.
Strategic Implications
The convergence of contested sovereignty and advanced subsea technology creates a volatile environment for international maritime law. As states like the Philippines seek legal recognition for their continental shelves, the deployment of private-sector infrastructure—capable of monitoring and potentially exploiting seabed resources—adds a new layer of complexity. The existing UN frameworks, primarily the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), are currently under pressure to address these dual-use technologies that serve both environmental data collection and potential military surveillance or resource extraction.
For Beijing, the “first island chain” remains a strategic priority, and the push for control over maritime baselines is framed as a defense of national sovereignty. Conversely, for nations looking to the UN for mediation, the goal is to reinforce legal certainty. As companies like OPTT expand their footprint, the seabed is transforming from a remote frontier into a contested domain of high-stakes infrastructure and intelligence.