Article 188 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 188 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The lawful holder of a bill of lading is the person named in it, or its bearer if it is to bearer or endorsed in blank, or the last endorsee if it is to order and names him.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يكون حاملاً شرعياً لسند الشحن من يكون اسمه مبيناً فيه, أو المحال إليه إن كان السند لحامله أو مظهراً على بياض, والمظهر إليه الأخير إن كان السند للأمر وذكر فيه اسم المظهر إليه.
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 188 explained in plain English
This article specifies who counts as the lawful holder of a bill of lading, meaning the person who has the right to take delivery of the goods. This differs according to the form of the bill:
- The nominative bill: the lawful holder is the person whose name is stated in it.
- The bill to bearer or endorsed in blank: the lawful holder is the transferee.
- The bill to order in which the name of the endorsee is stated: the lawful holder is the last endorsee.
Endorsement in blank means that the holder signs on the back of the bill without writing the name of the person to whom it is endorsed, so the bill is treated as a bill to bearer.
Identifying the lawful holder therefore depends on the form of the bill and how it was transferred, and the three rules above show who has standing in each case.
It is preceded by Article 187, which allows the bill to be drawn up in the name of a specific person, to order or to bearer, and provides that a bill to order is negotiated by endorsement and a bill to bearer by hand delivery. It is followed by Article 189, which prevents a letter of guarantee from being invoked against a good-faith third party. In a dispute over ownership of a bill, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
A bill of lading was issued to the order of Company A, which endorsed it to Company B by naming it, and then B endorsed it to Company C by naming it. The lawful holder is Company C as the last endorsee.
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 188 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Who is the lawful holder of a nominative bill of lading?
The person whose name is stated in it.
Who is the lawful holder if the bill is endorsed in blank?
The transferee.
Who is the lawful holder of a bill to order that has been endorsed to several persons?
The last endorsee, if his name is stated in the bill.
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.