Article 121 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 121 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثالث: الوكيل الملاحي ومتعهد النقل
The shipping agent is liable to shippers or consignees for loss of or damage to goods when loaded or unloaded only for the agent's own fault or the fault of those working for the agent.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يسأل الوكيل الملاحي من قبل الشاحنين أو المرسل إليهم عن هلاك أو تلف البضائع التي يتسلمها لشحنها في السفينة أو التي يتولى تفريغها منها لتسليمها لأصحابها إلا عن خطئه الشخصي أو خطأ تابعيه.
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 121 explained in plain English
This article defines the scope of the shipping agent's liability toward the owners of goods, that is, shippers and consignees.
The shipping agent may receive goods to load them on the ship, or take charge of unloading them to deliver them to their owners. If the goods are lost or damaged in the process, the agent is liable only in two cases:
- The agent's own fault.
- The fault of those working for the agent, that is, those who work for him.
If no fault is established on the part of the agent or those working for the agent, no liability arises toward shippers or consignees under this article. Under Article 1, the shipping agent acts as agent of the shipowner in providing what the ship needs.
This differs from the agent's relationship with the shipowner, since Article 120 provides that the agent is liable to the shipowner as a paid agent. As for the cargo agent, who acts for the goods' owners, Article 122 requires the cargo agent to take the necessary measures to preserve their rights against the carrier. Anyone whose goods were damaged during loading or unloading is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law to identify the party responsible.
Practical example
A shipping agent in the port of Jeddah receives containers from a merchant for loading, and one falls because of the negligence of a worker employed by the agent. The merchant is entitled to claim against the shipping agent because the damage resulted from the fault of one of those working for the agent.
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 121 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is the shipping agent liable for damage to my goods?
The agent is liable to shippers or consignees only for the agent's own fault or the fault of those working for the agent.
When is the shipping agent liable for loss of goods?
If goods the agent receives for loading, or unloads, are lost or damaged because of the agent's own fault or the fault of those working for the agent.
More articles on Shipping Agent and Carriage Contractor
- Article 117
Contracts and acts carried out by the shipping agent and the transport contractor are governed by the laws of the country in which those contracts or acts are made.
تخضع العقود والأعمال التي يجريها الوكيل الملاحي ومتعهد النقل لأنظمة الدولة التي تُجرى فيها هذه العقود أو الأعمال.
- Article 118
A claim by the shipping agent or transport contractor against the principal or the employer is brought under the Law of Sharia Procedure, and may be brought before the court of the agent's or contractor's domicile.
تقام دعوى الوكيل الملاحي أو متعهد النقل على الموكل أو صاحب العمل وفق نظام المرافعات الشرعية، ويجوز أن تقام أمام المحكمة التي يقع في نطاق اختصاصها موطن الوكيل أو
- Article 119
A claim by the principal or employer against the shipping agent or transport contractor is not heard after two years from the date the debt falls due.
لا تسمع دعوى الموكل أو صاحب العمل على الوكيل الملاحي أو متعهد النقل بعد مضي سنتين من تاريخ استحقاق الدين.
- Article 120
The shipping agent remains liable to the shipowner as a paid agent.
يبقى الوكيل الملاحي مسؤولاً أمام المجهز بوصفه وكيلاً بأجر.
- Article 122
The cargo agent must preserve the rights of the goods' owners against the carrier; otherwise the agent is presumed to have received the goods in the condition and quantity stated in the bill of lading, unless the contrary is proved by an official record.
يجب على وكيل الشحنة اتخاذ الإجراءات والتدابير اللازمة للمحافظة على حقوق أصحاب الشأن في البضاعة قِبَل الناقل أو متعهد النقل، وإلا افترض أنّ الوكيل تسلم البضاعة ف
- Article 123
The transport contractor carries out loading or unloading for the account of the person who engaged him, is answerable only to that person, and is liable for his own fault or the fault of those working for him in this work.
1- يقوم متعهد النقل بالشحن أو التفريغ لحساب من كلفه بالقيام به، ولا يسأل في هذا الشأن إلا قِبَل هذا الشخص الذي يكون له وحده إقامة دعوى عليه. 2- يسأل متعهد النقل
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.