Article 134 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 134 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد العمل البحري
If a seafarer dies defending the ship, its cargo or its passengers, his heirs receive a reward equal to three months' wage, or the voyage wage if fixed by the voyage, in addition to the compensation provided by law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا توفي البحار بسبب الدفاع عن السفينة أو شحنتها أو عن ركابها, استحق ورثته مكافأة بمبلغ يعادل أجر ثلاثة أشهر, أو ما يعادل أجر الرحلة إذا كان معيناً بالرحلة, إضافة إلى التعويضات المقررة نظاماً.
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 134 explained in plain English
This article sets a special reward for the heirs of a seafarer who dies defending the ship, in recognition of his sacrifice.
Condition for entitlement: the death must be because of defending:
- the ship, or
- its cargo, or
- its passengers.
Amount of the reward:
- An amount equal to three months' wage, or
- the equivalent of the voyage wage if his wage was fixed by the voyage.
The reward does not replace other compensation but is in addition to the compensation provided by law. The heirs therefore receive it together with the compensation the Law provides.
The condition for the reward is specifically the cause of death: it is not due under this article unless the death was because of defending the ship, its cargo or its passengers. Article 135 prevents the master from requiring a dismissed seafarer to leave the ship in a foreign port without written permission from the Kingdom's representation. Heirs of a seafarer in this situation are advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime law to identify all their entitlements.
Practical example
A ship is attacked by armed men and one of the seafarers dies defending it; his monthly wage was SAR 8,000. His heirs are entitled to a reward of SAR 24,000, in addition to the compensation provided by law.
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 134 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
How much is the reward for the heirs of a seafarer who dies defending the ship?
An amount equal to three months' wage, or the equivalent of the voyage wage if his wage was fixed by the voyage.
Does the reward replace other compensation?
No. It is due in addition to the compensation provided by law.
More articles on Maritime Employment Contract and Seafarer Rights
- Article 56
The article provides that giving the master and crew an advance or a payment on account does not make their debts referred to in paragraph (2) of Article 46 payable before their due date.
لا يترتب على تسليم الربان والبحارة وغيرهم ممن يرتبطون بعقد عمل في السفينة مبلغاً مقدماً أو على الحساب اعتبار ديونهم المشار إليها في الفقرة (2) من المادة (السادس
- Article 91
If a ship is sold compulsorily as a result of its attachment, the person to whom the auction is awarded is not bound by the employment contracts of the master or the seamen working on it.
إذا بيعت السفينة جبراً نتيجة الحجز عليها فلا يلتزم من رسا عليه المزاد بعقود عمل ربان السفينة أو البحارة الذين يعملون عليها.
- Article 114
The master and seafarers may not load goods for their own account without the shipowner's permission; a violator pays double the freight, and the master may throw the goods overboard if they endanger safety or entail fines or expenses.
لا يجوز للربان أو لأحد البحارة شحن بضاعة في السفينة لحسابه الخاص إلا بإذن من المجهز، ويترتب على مخالفة هذا الحظر إلزام المخالف بأن يدفع للمجهز ضعف أجرة نقل البض
- Article 125
The maritime employment contract provisions apply to those working on ships on international voyages, and a Saudi may not work on ships sailing outside the Kingdom's maritime areas without a maritime service record from the Authority.
1- تسري أحكام عقد العمل البحري الواردة في النظام على الأشخاص الذين يعملون على السفن التي تقوم برحلات دولية. 2- لا يجوز لمن يحملون الجنسية السعودية أن يقوموا بأي
- Article 126
The employer must pay seafarers' wages at the time and place specified in the contract, or those required by maritime custom.
يلتزم صاحب العمل بأداء أجور البحارة في الزمان والمكان المحددين في العقد، أو اللذين يقضي بهما العرف البحري.
- Article 127
A seafarer's voyage wage is not reduced if the shipowner or master shortens the voyage, and increases in proportion to the extension if they lengthen or postpone it, with no increase for the master where it was his fault.
إذا كان الأجر معيناً بالرحلة فلا يجوز تخفيضه في حالة تقصير السفر بفعل المجهز أو الربان، أما إذا نشأ عن الفعل المذكور إطالة السفر أو تأجيله فيزداد الأجر بنسبة ام
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.