Article 200 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 200 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The shipper must deliver the goods to the carrier at the agreed place and time, and compensation due for delay in doing so may not exceed the amount of the freight.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على الشاحن تسليم البضائع للناقل في المكان والزمان المتفق عليهما، ولا يجوز أن تزيد قيمة التعويض الذي يستحق عند التأخير في تنفيذ هذا الالتزام على مقدار الأجرة.
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 200 explained in plain English
This article sets out the shipper's duty to deliver the goods to the carrier and the consequence of delay:
First: the duty. The shipper must deliver the goods to the carrier at the agreed place and time.
Second: the cap on compensation for delay. If the shipper is late, the carrier is entitled to compensation, but its amount may not exceed the amount of the freight.
The article recognizes the carrier's right to compensation for delay but sets an upper limit, so the shipper does not bear more than the freight however great the carrier's loss. This strikes a balance and lets the shipper know the most it may have to bear.
Note that the article sets only the ceiling and does not make the freight automatic compensation; compensation is in proportion to the loss, provided it does not exceed the freight.
It follows Article 199, which regulates the ship's stopping and the carrier's duty to prepare a substitute ship. It is followed by Article 201, which requires the shipper to pay the freight and also binds the person entitled to receive the goods if it is due on arrival and before receipt. A shipper who was late in delivery is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
An exporter in Jeddah agreed to deliver the goods to the carrier at the port on Sunday, with freight of SAR 50,000, but was a week late. The carrier is entitled to compensation for its loss from the delay, not exceeding SAR 50,000.
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 200 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
When and where must the shipper deliver the goods to the carrier?
At the agreed place and time.
What is the maximum compensation to the carrier for the shipper's delay?
The compensation may not exceed the amount of the freight.
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.