Article 108 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 108 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: الربان
The master must follow the shipowner's instructions in commercial functions and, according to custom, inform the owner of every matter concerning the ship and the cargo.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على الربان أن يتبع فيما يتعلق بوظائفه التجارية تعليمات المجهز، وعليه أن يبلغه وفقاً للعرف بكل أمر خاص بالسفينة والشحنة.
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 108 explained in plain English
This article defines the relationship between the master and the shipowner on the commercial side of the master's work, and imposes two duties:
- Following the shipowner's instructions in the master's commercial functions.
- Informing the shipowner, according to custom, of every matter concerning the ship and the cargo.
The limitation to "commercial functions" indicates that this subordination relates to the commercial side of the voyage; command and navigation are not addressed by this article.
As to reporting, the reference is to custom; the article does not specify the means or the timing.
This is consistent with Article 107, which makes the master the shipowner's agent and representative before the courts in the acts needed for the ship and the voyage: an agent follows the principal's instructions and keeps the principal informed on matters of the agency. Article 109 requires the master to keep on board the documents, certificates and records required by the Law and international conventions. The aim is that the shipowner stays continuously informed about what is happening to the ship and cargo while away from them. If the master and the shipowner disagree about instructions, consulting a lawyer specializing in maritime law is advised.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 108 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Must the master follow the shipowner's instructions?
Yes, in matters of the master's commercial functions.
What must the master tell the shipowner?
Every matter concerning the ship and the cargo, according to custom.
More articles on The Master: Authority and Duties
- Article 100
The ship's operator appoints and dismisses the master, and a dismissed master is entitled to compensation where warranted under the general rules.
يعين مجهز السفينة الربان ويعزله، وللربان في حالة عزله الحق في التعويض إن كان له مقتضى وفقاً للقواعد العامة.
- 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
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.