Article 211 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 211 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The carrier is exempt from the liability in paragraph 1 of Article 210 if he proves that the loss of or damage to the goods is due to an external cause in which neither he nor his representative, servants or agents had a hand.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعفى الناقل من المسؤولية المنصوص عليها في الفقرة (1) من المادة (العاشرة بعد المائتين) إذا أثبت أن هلاك البضاعة أو تلفها يرجع إلى سبب خارجي لا يد له أو لنائبه أو لأحد من تابعيه أو وكلائه فيه.
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 211 explained in plain English
This article provides a ground for exempting the carrier from the liability in paragraph 1 of Article 210, the paragraph that makes the carrier liable for loss of, damage to or delay in delivery of the goods if the incident occurred while they were in his custody, unless he proves that he, his servants or his agents took the required measures to avoid the incident and its consequences.
Condition of the exemption: the carrier must prove that the loss of or damage to the goods is due to an external cause in which none of the following had a hand:
- the carrier himself, or
- his representative, or
- any of his servants or agents.
The burden of proof is on the carrier, and the cause must be external to his sphere and that of those who work with him.
Note that the article mentions loss and damage and does not expressly mention delay, although paragraph 1 of Article 210 also covers delay.
Article 210 contains other provisions on fire, carriage of live animals, rescue measures and concurrent causes. This article is followed by Article 212, which exempts the carrier if the shipper deliberately states incorrect particulars about the nature or value of the goods. A carrier or an owner of goods in a dispute over the cause of loss is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
Another ship, unconnected with the carrier, collided with a moored ship and a merchant's shipment was damaged. If the carrier proves that the damage is due to this external cause in which neither he nor his representative, servants or agents had a hand, he is exempt from liability.
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 211 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
When is a sea carrier exempt from liability for damage to goods?
If he proves that the loss of or damage to the goods is due to an external cause in which neither he nor his representative, servants or agents had a hand.
Who bears the burden of proving the external cause?
The carrier.
Articles this article refers to
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.