Article 204 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 204 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The shipper is liable for damage to the ship or the goods loaded on it if the damage arises from his act, the act of those working for him, or a defect in his goods.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يضمن الشاحن الضرر الذي يصيب السفينة أو البضائع المشحونة فيها إذا كان الضرر ناشئاً عن فعله, أو فعل تابعيه, أو عن عيب في بضائعه.
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 204 explained in plain English
This article establishes the shipper's liability for damage he causes. The shipper is liable for damage to:
- the ship, or
- the goods loaded on it, whether they are his or another's,
if the damage arises from one of three causes:
- the shipper's own act;
- the act of those working for him, that is, those who work on his behalf;
- a defect in his goods.
So if a person ships goods that are badly packed and they leak and damage other people's goods, or his workers are negligent during loading and damage the ship, the shipper is liable for compensation.
The article balances the carrier's obligations: just as the carrier answers for protecting the goods, the shipper answers for the damage caused by himself or his goods.
It follows Article 203, which provides that freight is not due if the goods are lost through force majeure or the carrier's negligence. It is followed by Article 205, which requires the master to deliver the goods on arrival to the lawful holder of the bill of lading or his representative. A shipper facing a claim for compensation for damage to the ship or to others' goods is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
A merchant shipped oil barrels that were poorly sealed, and they leaked during the voyage and damaged another merchant's shipment of fabrics. The owner of the barrels is liable for the damage to the fabrics because it arose from a defect in his goods.
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 204 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is the shipper responsible for damage his goods cause to the ship?
Yes. He is liable if the damage arises from his act, the act of those working for him, or a defect in his goods.
Is the shipper liable for damage to other shippers' goods?
Yes. He is liable for damage to the goods loaded on the ship if it arises from his act, the act of those working for him, or a defect in his goods.
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.