Article 186 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 186 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
A bill of lading is drawn up in two originals for the shipper and the carrier; the carrier signs the shipper's copy, which entitles its lawful holder to take delivery; several copies may be drawn up, and delivery against one cancels the others.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يحرر سند الشحن من نسختين أصليتين، تسلم إحداهما إلى الشاحن، وتبقى الأخرى لدى الناقل، ويذكر فيها أنها غير قابلة للتداول من قبل الغير.
2- يوقع الناقل -أو من ينوب عنه- النسخة المسلمة للشاحن، وتعطي هذه النسخة حاملها الشرعي الحق في تسلم البضائع والتصرف فيها.
3- يجوز النسخ من سند الشحن -بناء على طلب الشاحن- عدة نسخ, وتوقع كل نسخة, ويذكر فيها عدد النسخ، وتقوم كل نسخة مقام الأخرى، ويترتب على تسليم البضائع بمقتضى إحداها عَدُّ النسخ الأخرى ملغاة بالنسبة إلى الناقل.
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 186 explained in plain English
This article regulates the copies of the bill of lading and their effect.
First: the two originals. The bill is drawn up in two originals:
- One is given to the shipper.
- The other remains with the carrier, and states that it is not negotiable by third parties.
Second: the shipper's copy. It is signed by the carrier or its representative, and gives its lawful holder the right to take delivery of the goods and dispose of them. It is the copy that represents the goods.
Third: multiple copies. Several copies may be drawn up at the shipper's request:
- Each copy is signed and states the number of copies.
- Each copy takes the place of the others.
- Delivery of the goods against one of them cancels the other copies as far as the carrier is concerned.
The result is that the carrier is discharged by delivering the goods to the holder of any copy, so a person who holds several copies should take care of all of them.
It is preceded by Article 185 on the marks on goods. It is followed by Article 187, which allows the bill to be drawn up in the name of a specific person, to order or to bearer, and regulates its negotiation. For safe dealing in bills of lading, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
An exporter asked the carrier to issue three copies of the bill of lading, and sent one to its bank and kept two. A person holding one of the copies presented it to the carrier and took delivery of the goods, so the other two copies became cancelled as far as the carrier is concerned.
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 186 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
How many original copies does a bill of lading have?
Two originals: one for the shipper and the other remains with the carrier, and several copies may be drawn up at the shipper's request.
Who is entitled to take delivery of the goods against the bill of lading?
The lawful holder of the copy that the carrier signs and gives to the shipper.
What happens to the other copies after the goods are delivered against one?
They are considered cancelled as far as the carrier is concerned.
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.