Article 198 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 198 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
Except in coastal navigation between the Kingdom's ports, goods may be loaded on deck only with the shipper's written permission, a legal requirement, the nature of the cargo or custom, and this must be stated in the bill of lading.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
عدا الملاحة الساحلية بين موانئ المملكة, لا يجوز للناقل شحن بضائع على سطح السفينة إلا إذا أذن له الشاحن في ذلك كتابة، أو إذا كان الناقل ملزماً بالشحن بهذه الكيفية بمقتضى النظام المعمول به في ميناء الشحن أو إذا اقتضت طبيعة الشحنة أو جرى العرف في هذا الميناء على الشحن بهذه الكيفية. وفي جميع الأحوال يجب أن يذكر في سند الشحن أن البضاعة مشحونة على سطح السفينة.
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 198 explained in plain English
This article regulates loading goods on the deck of the ship, because goods on deck are more exposed to waves and weather.
The rule: the carrier may not load goods on deck except in one of the following cases:
- if the shipper permits it in writing;
- if the carrier is required to load in this manner under the regulations in force at the port of loading;
- if the nature of the cargo requires it;
- if custom at the port of loading is to load in this manner.
The exception: these restrictions do not apply to coastal navigation between the Kingdom's ports.
A constant duty: in all cases the bill of lading must state that the goods are loaded on the deck of the ship. Even where deck loading is permitted, it must be stated in the bill.
The article does not state the consequence of breaching these rules. It follows Article 197, which requires the carrier to load, stow and preserve the goods. It is followed by Article 199, which requires the carrier, if the ship stops, to exercise care to prepare another ship. Anyone whose goods were loaded on deck without permission and damaged is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
An exporter ships heavy machinery from Yanbu to a foreign port, and the holds cannot accommodate it. The carrier may load it on deck because the nature of the cargo requires it, or with the exporter's written permission, and the bill of lading must state that it is loaded on deck.
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 contentCommercial & Corporate Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 198 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is it permitted to load goods on the deck of the ship?
Not except with the shipper's written permission, a requirement under the regulations of the port of loading, or where the nature of the cargo or the port's custom calls for it. Coastal navigation between the Kingdom's ports is excepted.
Must deck loading be stated in the bill of lading?
Yes, in all cases.
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.