Article 185 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 185 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The marks placed on the goods must be sufficient to identify them, and placed in a fixed and clear spot, remaining legible until the end of the voyage.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب أن تكون العلامات الموضوعة على البضائع كافية لتعيينها, وأن توضع في مكان ثابت وواضح بحيث تبقى قراءتها ممكنة حتى نهاية الرحلة.
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 185 explained in plain English
This article sets out the requirements for the marks placed on goods shipped by sea:
- Sufficiency: they must be sufficient to identify the goods, that is, to distinguish them from others.
- Durability and clarity: they must be placed in a fixed and clear spot.
- Continuity: they must remain legible until the end of the voyage.
The purpose is practical: a ship carries many goods belonging to different owners, and the marks are the means of recognizing each shipment on discharge and delivery. If a mark is erased or is insufficient, goods may be mixed up or delivered to someone other than their owner.
The article does not state expressly who is obliged to place the marks, nor the penalty for breaching these requirements.
It is preceded by Article 184, which makes the shipper liable to the carrier for compensating the harm arising from the inaccuracy of the particulars it provided about the goods. It is followed by Article 186, which regulates the drawing up of the bill of lading in two originals and its signature. Owners of goods are advised to take care that marks are clear and durable, and to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime and commercial law if goods are mixed up or lost.
Practical example
A merchant in Jeddah ships 200 boxes of electrical appliances. He places on each box a distinctive mark, fixed in a clear spot and not erased by humidity, so that his boxes can be recognized on discharge at the end of the voyage.
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 185 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
What conditions apply to the marks on goods shipped by sea?
They must be sufficient to identify the goods, placed in a fixed and clear spot, and remain legible until the end of the voyage.
Why must the marks remain clear until the end of the voyage?
Because the article requires that they remain legible until the end of the voyage.
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.