Article 195 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 195 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The Commercial Maritime Law allows the bill of lading particulars in Article 182 to be recorded in an electronic transport record with the consent of the carrier and shipper, and the record has the same effect as a bill of lading in possession and transfer.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يجوز تسجيل بيانات سند الشحن المنصوص عليها في المادة (الثانية والثمانين بعد المائة) في سجل نقل إلكتروني, بشرط أن يكون إصدار هذا السجل واستخدامه لاحقاً بموافقة الناقل والشاحن.
2- يكون لسجل النقل الإلكتروني، مفعول سند الشحن نفسه في حيازته و إحالته.
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 195 explained in plain English
This article opens the door to the electronic bill of lading.
First: permission. The bill of lading particulars set out in Article 182 may be recorded in an electronic transport record. These particulars include the names and addresses of the carrier, shipper and consignee, the description of the goods, the name of the ship and the master, the ports of loading and discharge, the freight, the place and date of issue and the number of copies, and a statement of deck loading.
Second: the condition. The issue of the record and its later use must be with the consent of the carrier and the shipper. An electronic record cannot be imposed on either of them.
Third: the effect. The electronic transport record has the same effect as the bill of lading in its possession and transfer. That is, possessing and transferring the electronic record is equivalent to possessing and transferring the paper document.
The practical benefit is faster transactions, since the right to the goods can be transferred electronically instead of sending paper documents.
The article does not specify the technical requirements for the electronic record or who operates it. It follows Article 194 on delivery orders and is followed by Article 196, which requires the carrier to prepare and equip the ship so that it is fit to sail and to carry the goods. Companies that wish to adopt an electronic record are advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
An exporting company in Jeddah agreed with a sea carrier to use an electronic transport record instead of a paper bill of lading. The shipment particulars are recorded in it, and possessing it and transferring it to the buyer has the same effect as possessing and transferring the paper document.
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 195 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is there an electronic bill of lading under Saudi law?
Yes. The bill of lading particulars may be recorded in an electronic transport record with the consent of the carrier and the shipper.
Does the electronic record have the same force as a paper bill of lading?
Yes. It has the same effect as a bill of lading in its possession and transfer.
Articles this article refers to
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.