Article 11 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 11 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثالث: تسجيل السفينة
Article 11 requires every Saudi ship to have a name, written at its bow and stern in clear Arabic and Latin letters with its port of registration, and bars the same name for more than one ship in the Kingdom.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
أ- يجب على كل سفينة سعودية أن تتخذ لها اسماً، ويجب أن يكتب اسمها على مقدمتها من الجانبين وعلى مؤخرتها بحروف عربية ولاتينية ظاهرة وبلون مختلف عن لونها، ويجب كذلك كتابة ميناء تسجيل السفينة بالحروف نفسها على مؤخرتها، وكتابة جميع البيانات والعلامات المميزة التي تحددها اللوائح.
ب- لا يجوز تكرار الاسم الواحد لأكثر من سفينة في جميع مكاتب التسجيل في المملكة.
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 11 explained in plain English
This article regulates the name and markings of a Saudi ship:
(a) The name and how it is written:
- Every Saudi ship must adopt a name.
- The name is written on both sides of its bow and on its stern, in clear Arabic and Latin letters, in a color different from the ship's color.
- The port of registration is written in the same letters on the stern.
- All the particulars and distinguishing marks that the regulations specify are written; the article does not set out these particulars.
(b) No duplication: the same name may not be used for more than one ship in all registration offices in the Kingdom, meaning the name is unique across the Kingdom and not only within one office.
The practical meaning for the ship owner is that they must choose a name not used for another ship in any registration office in the Kingdom, and follow the described way of writing the name and port of registration. Anyone registering a new ship can consult a lawyer specializing in commercial cases to make sure the requirements are met.
Practical example
A fishing company in Jazan wants to name its new ship "Al-Nawras". If the name is registered for another ship in any registration office in the Kingdom, it may not be used. If accepted, it is written in Arabic and Latin on both sides of the bow and on the stern, together with the name of the port of registration.
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 11 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
In what language is a Saudi ship's name written?
In clear Arabic and Latin letters, in a color different from the ship's color.
May two ships bear the same name?
No. The same name may not be used for more than one ship in all registration offices in the Kingdom.
Where is the ship's name written?
On both sides of its bow and on its stern, and the port of registration is written on the stern.
More articles on Registration of Ships and Maritime Units
- Article 7
Article 7 bars a self-propelled ship from sailing under the Kingdom's flag without registration, refers the procedures to the regulations, and exempts specific vessels by length, tonnage and type.
1- لا يجوز لأي سفينة ذاتية الدفع أن تبحر رافعة علم المملكة إلاَّ إذا كانت مسجلة وفقاً لأحكام هذا النظام, وتحدد اللوائح إجراءات التسجيل وشروطه, وإصدار الشهادة. 2
- Article 8
Article 8 regulates ship registration offices approved by the Chairman, the ship register and its entries, the registration record and its publication and announcement at the owner's expense, and registration fees.
1- تسجل السفن في مكاتب التسجيل المعتمدة بقرار من الرئيس في أيٍّ من موانئ المملكة. 2- ينشأ في كل مكتب من مكاتب التسجيل سجل خاص يسمى (سجل السفن)، ترقم صفحاته، وتخ
- Article 9
Article 9 bars a ship from sailing under the flag of more than one state, registering a ship already registered in another state before its deletion, and changing flag while sailing or stopped except for a transfer of ownership or registration change.
1- لا يجوز للسفينة أن تبحر، وهي رافعة علم أكثر من دولة. 2- لا يجوز أن تسجل سفينة في سجل السفن إذا كانت مسجلة في سجل سفن دولة أخرى، ما لم تكن قد شطبت من ذلك السج
- Article 10
Article 10 requires, for a ship to be registered, that the Authority or a delegated approved classification society inspect, survey and measure it and assess its tonnage, after the ownership document is submitted.
يشترط لتسجيل السفينة فحصها ومعاينتها وقياسها وتقدير حمولتها من قبل الهيئة أو من تفوضه من إحدى هيئات التصنيف المحلية أو الدولية المعتمدة بعد تقديم وثيقة ملكيتها.
- Article 12
Article 12 empowers the registration office to issue a temporary registration certificate valid for one or more voyages, or for six months renewable for up to two years.
يصدر مكتب التسجيل شهادة تسجيل مؤقتة للسفينة، تكون صالحة لرحلة واحدة أو أكثر، أو لمدة ستة أشهر قابلة للتجديد لمدة أقصاها سنتان.
- Article 13
Article 13 allows a Saudi to whom ownership of a ship has passed outside the Kingdom to obtain a temporary registration certificate from a registration office or a Kingdom representative office, valid for six months at most.
إذا انتقلت ملكية السفينة لسعودي خارج المملكة، وانطبقت عليها شروط التسجيل، كان لمالكها الحصول على شهادة تسجيل مؤقتة من أحد مكاتب التسجيل في المملكة أو من ممثلية
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.