Article 100 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 100 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: الربان
The ship's operator appoints and dismisses the master, and a dismissed master is entitled to compensation where warranted under the general rules.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعين مجهز السفينة الربان ويعزله، وللربان في حالة عزله الحق في التعويض إن كان له مقتضى وفقاً للقواعد العامة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 100 explained in plain English
This article specifies who has the power to appoint and dismiss the ship's master: the ship's operator. The operator, under Article 1, is the person who operates the ship for his own account as owner, charterer or manager of a jointly owned ship, and the owner is deemed the operator unless proved otherwise.
This means the power to choose the master lies with the party that actually operates the ship and bears the consequences of operating it, which is logical because the operator runs the ship for his own account.
As for the master's right on dismissal, the article provides that he is entitled to compensation where warranted under the general rules. Compensation is therefore not automatic on every dismissal but depends on a justifying ground under the general rules, and the article does not state its amount or conditions.
Note that Article 1 treats the master as one of the seamen in respect of the employment contract concluded between him and the operator. Article 101 regulates the master's powers in commanding the ship. A person dismissed from a master's post who believes he is entitled to compensation should consult a lawyer who specializes in maritime law.
Practical example
A company operating a tanker dismissed its master before his contract ended, without a clear reason. The master may claim compensation where warranted under the general rules, which is decided according to the circumstances of the dismissal.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentLabour & Employment Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Labour & Employment Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 100 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Who appoints and dismisses the ship's master?
The ship's operator.
Is the master entitled to compensation if dismissed?
He is entitled to compensation where warranted under the general rules.
More articles on The Master: Authority and Duties
- Article 101
The master alone commands the ship and directs the voyage, the next officer replaces him on his death or absence, and he must observe technical standards, conventions and maritime custom and maintain the ship's seaworthiness and the sufficiency of supplies.
1- للربان وحده قيادة السفينة، وإدارة الرحلة البحرية، ويقوم الضابط الذي يليه مباشرة في الدرجة مقامه في حالة وفاته أو غيابه أو وجود مانع آخر. 2- يجب على الربان أن
- Article 102
The master may not give up command of the ship until it reaches port, and may not leave it or order it abandoned except in the face of certain danger after consulting its officers, saving money, papers and the most valuable cargo where possible.
1- لا يجوز للربان أن يتخلى عن قيادة السفينة حتى وصول السفينة إلى الميناء. 2- لا يجوز للربان أن يغادر السفينة، أو أن يأمر بتركها إلا بسبب خطرٍ محقق وبعد أخذ رأي
- Article 103
The master must personally command the ship when entering and leaving ports, passing through waterways and whenever special obstacles confront navigation, even if he is obliged to use a pilot.
على الربان أن يتولى بنفسه قيادة السفينة عند دخولها الموانئ، أو خروجها منها أو أثناء اجتياز الممرات البحرية، وكذلك في جميع الأحوال التي تعترض الملاحة عقبات خاصة،
- Article 104
The master has the authority to notarize on the ship, and over those on board the powers needed to preserve order and the security of the ship, passengers and cargo and the safety of the voyage, and to impose disciplinary penalties in accordance with the regulations.
تكون للربان سلطة التوثيق على السفينة، كما تكون له على الأشخاص الذين على السفينة السلطات التي يقتضيها حفظ النظام وأمن السفينة والركاب والبضائع المشحونة بها وسلام
- Article 105
The master records births and deaths in the official logbook and follows the civil status rules, inventories a deceased person's belongings with an officer and hands them over at the first Saudi port, and may put off a person with a contagious disease at the nearest port.
1- إذا حدثت ولادة أو وفاة أثناء السفر وجب على الربان إثبات هذه الوقائع في دفتر الوقائع الرسمي للسفينة، واتباع الإجراءات المنصوص عليها في الأنظمة الخاصة بالأحوال
- Article 106
If a crime is committed on the ship, the master gathers evidence and makes urgent inquiries until the authorities arrive, may detain the accused and preserve evidence, then hands over a report and seized items at the first Saudi port.
1- إذا وقعت جريمة على متن السفينة تولى الربان -إلى حين وصول السلطات المختصة- جمع الاستدلالات وإجراء التحريات التي لا تحتمل التأخير، وله عند الاقتضاء أن يأمر بال
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.