Article 184 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 184 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The shipper is liable to the carrier for compensating the harm arising from the inaccuracy of the particulars it gave about the goods, even if it has assigned the bill of lading to a third party.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يكون الشاحن مسؤولاً قِبَل الناقل عن تعويض الضرر الذي ينشأ عن عدم صحة البيانات التي قدمها عن البضاعة ولو تنازل عن سند الشحن إلى الغير.
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 184 explained in plain English
This article establishes the shipper's responsibility for the accuracy of the goods' particulars. If it provided inaccurate particulars about the goods and harm to the carrier resulted, the shipper:
- Is liable to the carrier for compensating this harm.
- This applies even if it has assigned the bill of lading to a third party.
The second point is important; a bill of lading may pass from hand to hand, but its transfer does not relieve the original shipper of responsibility for the particulars it provided itself. The carrier has recourse against it directly.
The aim is to protect the carrier, which relies on the shipper's particulars to arrange loading and to deal with the goods. An error in weight or nature may cause damage to the ship or unexpected expenses.
This provision is linked to Article 183, which requires the shipper to give the goods' particulars in writing on delivery, allows the carrier to enter reservations about them if in doubt, and requires dangerous goods to be reported. It is followed by Article 185, which requires the marks on the goods to be sufficient to identify them and to be durable and clear until the end of the voyage. A shipper who is claimed against for compensation because of the goods' particulars is advised to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
A shipper declared that its shipment weighed 10 tons when it was 15 tons, and the ship's lifting equipment was damaged. The shipper must compensate the carrier, even if it had endorsed the bill of lading to another buyer.
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 contentCivil Litigation & Compensation lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Civil Litigation & Compensation lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Abdullah Al-Saleh Law Office for Law and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 184 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is the shipper responsible for wrong particulars about the goods?
Yes, it is liable to the carrier for compensating the harm arising from the inaccuracy of the particulars it provided.
Does the shipper's responsibility end if it sells the bill of lading to someone else?
No, it remains liable even if it has assigned the bill of lading to a third party.
More articles on Carriage of Goods by Sea and the Bill of Lading
- Article 115
If the master must repair the ship during the voyage, the shipper may wait or take out the goods while paying full freight, with no increase in freight; if repair is not possible, the master hires a substitute ship at his own expense.
1- إذا اضطر الربان إلى إصلاح السفينة أثناء السفر، كان للمستأجر أو الشاحن الخيار بين الانتظار حتى إتمام إصلاح السفينة أو إخراج بضائعه منها، وفي هذه الحالة الأخير
- Article 121
The shipping agent is liable to shippers or consignees for loss of or damage to goods when loaded or unloaded only for the agent's own fault or the fault of those working for the agent.
لا يسأل الوكيل الملاحي من قبل الشاحنين أو المرسل إليهم عن هلاك أو تلف البضائع التي يتسلمها لشحنها في السفينة أو التي يتولى تفريغها منها لتسليمها لأصحابها إلا عن
- Article 122
The cargo agent must preserve the rights of the goods' owners against the carrier; otherwise the agent is presumed to have received the goods in the condition and quantity stated in the bill of lading, unless the contrary is proved by an official record.
يجب على وكيل الشحنة اتخاذ الإجراءات والتدابير اللازمة للمحافظة على حقوق أصحاب الشأن في البضاعة قِبَل الناقل أو متعهد النقل، وإلا افترض أنّ الوكيل تسلم البضاعة ف
- Article 124
The provisions limiting the carrier's liability set out in the Law apply to the transport contractor.
تسري على متعهد النقل أحكام تحديد المسؤولية المتعلقة بالناقل المنصوص عليها في النظام.
- Article 155
The lessor of a fully equipped ship is liable for damage to the goods the lessee places on the ship, unless he proves he fully performed his obligations and the damage did not arise from his fault or that of his subordinates.
يسأل مؤجر السفينة المجهزة عن الضرر الذي يصيب البضائع التي يضعها المستأجر في السفينة, إلا إذا أثبت أنه قام بتنفيذ التزاماته كاملة, وأن الضرر لم ينشأ عن تقصيره أو
- Article 179
A contract of carriage by sea can be proved only in writing.
لا يثبت عقد النقل البحري إلا بالكتابة.
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.