Article 139 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 139 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد العمل البحري
Ships carrying the Kingdom's nationality are not permitted to sail to areas dominated by the dangers of war, piracy or armed robbery until proof of insurance of their crew against these dangers is provided.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يصرح للسفن التي تحمل جنسية المملكة بالسفر إلى المناطق التي تغلب عليها أخطار الحرب, أو أعمال القرصنة أو السطو المسلح, إلا بعد تقديم مالكها أو مجهزها أو مستأجرها غير مجهزة ما يفيد التأمين على أفراد طاقمهما ضد هذه الأخطار.
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 139 explained in plain English
This article protects the crews of Saudi ships when sailing to dangerous areas.
Scope: ships that carry the Kingdom's nationality.
The areas concerned: areas dominated by:
- the dangers of war, or
- acts of piracy, or
- armed robbery.
The condition: the ship is not permitted to sail to these areas until its owner, its operator, or its bareboat charterer provides proof of insurance of the crew members against these dangers.
Insurance here is a precondition for permission to sail, not merely an option. The purpose is that seamen and their families have insurance cover if they are harmed in those areas.
The article does not specify the authority that grants the permission, how the dangerous areas are determined, or the minimum amount of insurance. Article 140 refers to the regulations the conditions and qualifications of the master, officers, marine engineers and seamen, and their number on the ship. Ship operators planning voyages to dangerous areas are advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and insurance law.
Practical example
A Saudi company plans to send a tanker through an area where piracy is frequent. The ship is not permitted to sail until the company provides proof of insurance of the crew members against piracy risks.
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 139 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is crew insurance required for sailing to piracy areas?
Yes, Saudi ships are not permitted to sail to those areas until proof of insurance of their crew against these dangers is provided.
Who provides proof of crew insurance?
The owner of the ship, its operator, or its bareboat charterer.
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- 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
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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
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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
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يلتزم صاحب العمل بأداء أجور البحارة في الزمان والمكان المحددين في العقد، أو اللذين يقضي بهما العرف البحري.
- Article 127
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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.