Article 216 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 216 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The carrier may waive all or some of the rights and exemptions granted to him and may increase his liability and obligations, provided this is stated in the bill of lading.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للناقل أن يتنازل عن كل الحقوق والإعفاءات المقررة له أو بعضها، كما يجوز له أن يزيد مسؤوليته والتزاماته بشرط أن يذكر ذلك في سند الشحن.
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 216 explained in plain English
This article permits the carrier to bear more than the Law imposes on him. He may:
- waive all or some of the rights and exemptions granted to him;
- increase his liability and obligations.
The condition: that this be stated in the bill of lading.
This article complements Article 215 from the opposite direction: that article voids agreements made before the incident that exempt the carrier, alter the burden of proof or transfer insurance rights to him, that is, those that reduce his liability. This article permits what increases his liability in the shipper's favor.
Requiring a statement in the bill of lading has a practical benefit, since everyone who later deals in the bill will know of it.
It is followed by Article 217, which allows agreement contrary to Article 215 in exceptional circumstances on specified conditions. Anyone negotiating better terms with the carrier is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law to draft them into the bill.
Practical example
A pharmaceuticals exporter agreed with a carrier that the carrier would be liable for any damage even if it arose from risks from which he is normally exempt. This is permitted provided this additional obligation is stated in the bill of lading.
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 216 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
May the carrier bear greater liability than the Law provides?
Yes. He may increase his liability and obligations and waive all or some of his rights and exemptions.
What is the condition for increasing the carrier's liability?
That it be stated in the bill of lading.
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.