Article 150 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 150 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: إيجار السفينة غير المجهزة
The lessee of a bareboat ship must look after it and use it for the agreed purpose in accordance with its technical characteristics stated in its certificates.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يلتزم المستأجر بالمحافظة على السفينة واستعمالها في الغرض المتفق عليه وفقاً لخصائصها الفنية الثابتة في شهاداتها.
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 150 explained in plain English
This article sets out the basic obligations of the lessee of a bareboat ship, which are:
- to look after the ship.
- to use it for the agreed purpose.
- that the use be in accordance with its technical characteristics stated in its certificates.
The lessee may not, for example, load the ship beyond the capacity stated in its certificates, or use it for an activity different from the agreed purpose.
Article 1 defines a bareboat ship charter as the contract in which the lessor places a specific ship at the lessee's disposal for a fixed period without equipping it with provisions, seamen or fuel. Because the lessee here operates the ship himself, it is natural that he is obliged to look after it.
These obligations are matched by the lessor's obligation in Article 149 to deliver the ship seaworthy and to repair damage arising from force majeure, inherent defect or ordinary use. Article 151 adds that the lessee appoints the seamen, concludes their employment contracts and pays their wages, and bears the costs of operating the ship and of insuring it. In a dispute about misuse of the ship, consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
A company chartered a bareboat cargo ship to carry containers, and its certificates state a particular maximum load. The lessee must not exceed that load, and must look after the ship and use it to carry containers as agreed.
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 150 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
What are the obligations of the lessee of a bareboat ship?
To look after the ship and use it for the agreed purpose in accordance with its technical characteristics stated in its certificates.
Can the lessee use the ship for another purpose?
He is obliged to use it for the agreed purpose.
More articles on Ship Charter
- Article 20
The article permits registering a chartered foreign bareboat ship at the Kingdom's registration offices if the charterer meets the registration conditions, and creates a special temporary register for such ships.
1- تسجل السفينة الأجنبية غير المجهزة -لسفرة أو لرحلة واحدة أو لعدد من الرحلات والسفرات أو لمدة محددة- التي يستأجرها من تتوافر لديه شروط التسجيل بأي مكتب من مكات
- Article 21
The article subjects a chartered foreign bareboat ship registered in the Kingdom to the Kingdom's laws, with the charterer taking the owner's place in the law's obligations and penalties for the whole charter period.
تطبق على السفينة الأجنبية المستأجرة غير المجهزة المسجلة في المملكة، الأنظمة المعمول بها في المملكة، ويحل المستأجر طوال مدة الإيجار محل المالك فيما يتعلق بالالتز
- Article 22
The article requires the charterer of a ship that is not fitted out to apply to cancel its register and return the temporary registration certificate within fifteen days of the end of the charter contract.
يلتزم المستأجر بتقديم طلب شطب سجل السفينة المستأجرة غير المجهزة، وإعادة شهادة التسجيل المؤقتة الخاصة بها خلال خمسة عشر يوماً من تاريخ انتهاء عقد الإيجار.
- Article 23
The article requires the owner of a Saudi ship not fitted out, chartered to a foreigner, to notify the registration office fifteen days before the contract takes effect; registration is suspended or cancelled temporarily and the Kingdom's flag may not be flown during the charter.
في حالة تأجير سفينة سعودية غير مجهزة لأجنبي، فعلى مالكها إبلاغ مكتب التسجيل المسجلة فيه السفينة قبل سريان عقد الإيجار بخمسة عشر يوماً على الأقل، وعلى مكتب التسج
- Article 77
If the charterer manages the ship's navigation and alone is liable for the maritime debt, the ship or the charterer's other ships may be attached, but not the other ships of the lessor-owner.
1- إذا كان مستأجر السفينة يتولى إدارتها الملاحية، وكان وحده مسؤولاً عن أي دين بحري متعلق بها، جاز للدائن توقيع الحجز على هذه السفينة أو على أي سفينة أخرى مملوكة
- Article 142
A ship charter contract can be proven only in writing and must state the ship, the parties, loading and unloading, the rent and compensation and the type of charter, and a sale of the ship does not end the charter.
1- لا يثبت عقد إيجار السفينة إلا بالكتابة, ويجب أن يكون متضمناً اسم السفينة, ومقدار حمولتها, ودرجتها, والدولة التابعة لها، واسم المؤجر والمستأجر، والمكان والزما
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.