Article 203 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 203 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
Freight is not due if the goods are lost through force majeure or through the carrier's negligence in performing the obligations the Law or the contract imposes on him.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تستحق أجرة النقل إذا هلكت البضائع بسبب قوة قاهرة, أو إهمال الناقل في تنفيذ ما يفرضه عليه النظام أو العقد من التزامات.
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 203 explained in plain English
This article sets out two cases in which freight is not due when the goods are lost:
- Loss through force majeure.
- Loss through the carrier's negligence in performing the obligations the Law or the contract imposes on him.
In these two cases the shipper is not bound to pay freight for the lost goods.
The logic in the second case is clear: a carrier who was negligent until the goods were lost is not entitled to payment for a carriage that did not happen because of him. In the case of force majeure, the article has the carrier bear the loss of freight even though he had no hand in the loss.
Note the difference between this article and Article 202: that one makes freight payable for goods that the master decides to sacrifice to save the ship or the cargo, subject to the general average provisions. Here the loss is through force majeure or negligence, so freight is not due.
Note also that the article speaks of loss. It is followed by Article 204, which makes the shipper liable for damage to the ship or the goods if it arises from his act or the act of those working for him or from a defect in his goods. Anyone whose goods were lost is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
A ship sank because of the carrier's negligence in maintaining it, and a merchant's shipment from Jeddah was lost with it. Freight is not due for this shipment.
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 203 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Do I pay freight if my goods are lost through the carrier's negligence?
No. Freight is not due if the goods are lost through the carrier's negligence in performing the obligations the Law or the contract imposes on him.
Is freight due if the goods are lost through force majeure?
No. Freight is not due in this case.
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.