Article 156 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 156 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثالث: إيجار السفينة المجهزة
The lessee of a fully equipped ship is liable for damage to the ship or the goods loaded on it if it arose from his misuse of the ship or from a defect in the goods he placed on it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يسأل المستأجر عن الضرر الذي يصيب السفينة أو البضائع المشحونة فيها إذا كان ناشئاً عن سوء استغلاله للسفينة، أو عن عيبٍ في البضائع التي وضعها فيها.
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 156 explained in plain English
This article sets the lessee's liability in a fully equipped ship charter. The lessee is liable for damage to:
- the ship, or
- the goods loaded on it,
if the damage arose from one of two causes:
- his misuse of the ship.
- a defect in the goods he placed on it.
So if the lessee loaded defective goods that damaged the ship or other goods on it, or misused the ship in his commercial activity, he is liable for the resulting damage.
This article is matched by Article 155, which makes the lessor liable for damage to the lessee's goods unless he proves that he fully performed his obligations and that the damage did not arise from his fault or that of his subordinates. Liability is thus divided between the parties according to the source of the damage.
It is followed by Article 157, which sets the period for hearing claims arising from a fully equipped ship charter at two years and states when it starts. Parties to the contract are advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law in a dispute about the cause of damage.
Practical example
The lessee of a fully equipped ship loaded chemicals that were defectively packaged, and they leaked and damaged the floor of the hold. The lessee is liable for the damage to the ship because it arose from a defect in the goods he placed on it.
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 156 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
When is the lessee of a fully equipped ship liable for damage?
When damage to the ship or the goods loaded on it arose from his misuse of the ship or from a defect in the goods he placed on it.
Is the lessee liable for damage to other goods on the ship?
He is liable for damage to the loaded goods if it arose from his misuse of the ship or from a defect in his goods.
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.