Article 209 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 209 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The carrier's responsibility for the goods begins when he receives them at the port of loading from the shipper or the person or body designated, and ends on delivery to the consignee, placing them at his disposal, or delivery to the body designated at the port of discharge.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تبدأ مسؤولية الناقل عن البضائع وتعد في عهدته من الوقت الذي يتلقى فيه هذه البضائع من الشاحن أو من شخص ينوب عنه أو سلطة أو طرف ثالث آخر توجب اللوائح السارية في ميناء الشحن تسليم البضائع له لغرض الشحن, وتنتهي عند تسليمها إلى المرسل إليه، أو وضعها تحت تصرفه وفقًا للعقد أو النظام أو العرف المتبع في ميناء التفريغ، أو تسليمها إلى سلطة أو طرف ثالث توجب اللوائح السارية في ميناء التفريغ تسليمها إليه.
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 209 explained in plain English
This article sets the time scope of the carrier's responsibility, that is, when the goods are in his custody.
First: the start. The carrier's responsibility begins from the time he receives the goods from:
- the shipper, or
- a person acting for him, or
- an authority or third party to whom the regulations in force at the port of loading require the goods to be handed over for loading.
Second: the end. The responsibility ends on:
- delivery of the goods to the consignee, or
- placing them at his disposal in accordance with the contract, the Law or the custom followed at the port of discharge, or
- delivery to an authority or third party to whom the regulations in force at the port of discharge require them to be delivered.
The practical importance is that damage occurring in this period falls within the carrier's responsibility, while what occurs before or after is not covered by this custody.
Note that responsibility may begin before the goods are placed on the ship and may end after they are unloaded, depending on the moment of receipt and delivery.
It follows Article 208 on unclaimed goods and is followed by Article 210, which sets out the carrier's responsibility for loss, damage and delay if the incident occurs while the goods are in his custody. Anyone whose goods were damaged is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law to determine whether the damage occurred during the custody period.
Practical example
An exporter delivered his goods to the container terminal at Dammam port, to which the port's regulations require delivery, and they were damaged before being loaded on the ship. The goods have been in the carrier's custody since they were received through this body, so the damage occurred during the period of his responsibility.
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 209 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
When does a sea carrier's responsibility for the goods begin?
From the time he receives them from the shipper or a person acting for him, or from an authority or third party to whom the regulations of the port of loading require them to be handed over for loading.
When does the carrier's responsibility end?
On delivery of the goods to the consignee, placing them at his disposal under the contract, the Law or the custom of the port of discharge, or delivering them to an authority or third party to whom the regulations of the port of discharge require delivery.
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.