Article 152 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 152 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: إيجار السفينة غير المجهزة
The lessee of a bareboat ship returns the ship and its provisions in the condition received, allowing for ordinary wear, at the port of receipt, and for delay caused by him pays the rent for 15 days and then double the rent.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يلتزم المستأجر برد السفينة عند انتهاء عقد الإيجار, بالحالة التي كانت عليها عند تسلمها، مع مراعاة الاستهلاك الناشئ عن الاستعمال العادي، ويكون الرد في الميناء الذي تسَّلمها فيه, إلا إذا اتفق على غير ذلك.
2- يلتزم المستأجر برد ما كان على السفينة من مؤن في الحالة التي كانت عليها وقت تسليم السفينة إليه، وإذا كانت هذه الأشياء مما يهلك بالاستعمال التزم برد ما يماثلها.
3- إذا تأخر المستأجر في رد السفينة لسبب يرجع إليه التزم بدفع ما يعادل الأجرة عن الخمسة عشر يوماً الأولى، ويدفع ما يعادل مثلي الأجرة عن أيام التأخير التي تزيد على ذلك، ما لم يثبت المؤجر أن الضرر يتجاوز هذا المقدار.
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 152 explained in plain English
This article regulates the lessee's obligation to return the bareboat ship when the contract ends.
First: returning the ship.
- In the condition it was in when received, allowing for wear arising from ordinary use.
- At the port where he received it, unless otherwise agreed.
Second: returning the provisions. The lessee returns the provisions that were on the ship in the condition they were in at the time of delivery, and if they are of a kind that is used up through use he returns the like.
Third: delay in return. If the lessee is late in returning the ship for a reason attributable to him:
- he pays an amount equal to the rent for the first fifteen days.
- and pays an amount equal to double the rent for the days of delay beyond that.
- Unless the lessor proves that the damage exceeds this amount, in which case he is entitled to what he proves.
It follows Article 151, under which the lessee appoints the seamen and pays their wages, operating costs and insurance. It is followed by Article 153, under which the lessee guarantees third-party rights against the lessor arising from his operation of the ship. Parties to the contract are advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law in a dispute about the condition of the returned ship.
Practical example
A bareboat charter at a daily rent of SAR 10,000 ended, and the lessee was twenty days late in returning the ship for a reason attributable to him. He pays SAR 150,000 for the first fifteen days and SAR 100,000 for the next five days at double the rent, unless the lessor proves greater damage.
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 152 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
In what condition must a chartered ship be returned?
In the condition it was in when received, allowing for wear from ordinary use, at the port where it was received unless otherwise agreed.
What is the compensation for delay in returning a chartered ship?
The rent for the first fifteen days and double the rent for the days beyond that, if the delay is attributable to the lessee, unless the lessor proves greater damage.
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.