Article 167 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 167 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثالث: إيجار السفينة المجهزة
Unused loading days are not added to the discharge period, and early discharge does not make up for extra loading days unless otherwise agreed; a bonus for speed may be agreed.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا تم الشحن قبل انتهاء المدة المعينة له فلا تضاف الأيام الباقية إلى مهلة التفريغ, وإذا تم التفريغ قبل انتهاء المدة المعينة له فلا يعوض عن الأيام الزائدة في الشحن ما لم يتفق على غير ذلك.
2- يجوز الاتفاق على منح المستأجر مكافأة على الإسراع في إنجاز الشحن والتفريغ.
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 167 explained in plain English
This article regulates the relationship between the loading period and the discharge period, and provides that each is independent of the other:
- If loading is completed before the period set for it ends, the remaining days are not added to the discharge period.
- If discharge is completed before the period set for it ends, this does not make up for the extra days spent on loading.
This applies unless otherwise agreed. The parties may agree to calculate the two periods together.
Speed bonus: it may be agreed to give the charterer a bonus for speed in completing loading and discharge. This is an optional incentive stated in the contract.
The practical result: a party who is late in loading cannot argue that it was faster in discharging, unless the contract says so. Delay is governed by Article 166, which provides for the additional periods and the daily compensation due to the lessor.
It is followed by Article 168, which allows the master, after the discharge periods have expired, to unload the goods at the charterer's expense and responsibility. Anyone negotiating a voyage charter is advised to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime and commercial law to draft the terms on periods and the bonus.
Practical example
The loading period was five days, and the charterer finished in three; the discharge period was four days, and it took six. The two remaining days of loading are not added to the discharge period, so the charterer is considered two days late in discharging, unless the contract provides otherwise.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCommercial & Corporate Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 167 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Are the remaining loading days added to the discharge period?
No, unless otherwise agreed.
May the charterer be given a bonus for speeding up loading and discharge?
Yes, this may be agreed.
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.