Article 219 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 219 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The carrier may not rely on limitation of liability if the damage arose from an act or omission by him, his representative or his servants, done with intent to cause damage or recklessly with knowledge that damage could occur; intent is presumed in two cases.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- لا يجوز للناقل التمسك بتحديد مسؤوليته عن هلاك البضاعة أو تلفها أو تأخير تسليمها, إذا ثبت أن الضرر نشأ عن فعل أو امتناع صدر منه أو من نائبه أو من أحد تابعيه, بقصد إحداث الضرر, أو بعدم اكتراث مصحوب بإدراك أن ضرراً يمكن أن يحدث.
2- يفترض توجه قصد الناقل أو نائبه إلى إحداث الضرر في الحالتين الآتيتين:
أ- إذا أصدر الناقل سند الشحن خالياً من التحفظات مع وجود ما يقتضي ذكره في السند، وذلك بقصد الإضرار بالغير حسن النية.
ب- إذا شحن الناقل البضائع على سطح السفينة بالمخالفة لما يوجب شحنها في عنابر السفينة.
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 219 explained in plain English
This article deprives the carrier of the protection of limited liability in cases of gross fault.
First: the rule. The carrier may not rely on limitation of his liability for loss of, damage to or delay in delivery of the goods if it is proved that the damage arose from an act or omission by him, his representative or one of his servants:
- with intent to cause the damage, or
- recklessly and with knowledge that damage could occur.
Second: presumption of intent. The intent of the carrier or his representative to cause damage is presumed in two cases:
- if he issued the bill of lading clean of reservations although there was something that required to be stated in it, with intent to harm a good-faith third party;
- if he loaded the goods on the deck of the ship in violation of what requires them to be loaded in the ship's holds.
In these two cases the injured party need not prove intent, because it is presumed.
The idea is that limitation of liability protects a good-faith carrier, so one who deliberately caused damage or was reckless about it does not benefit from it.
It follows Article 218 on notice of loss or damage. It is followed by Article 220, which allows the carrier to entrust performance of the carriage or part of it to another carrier while he remains liable. Anyone who believes the carrier deliberately caused damage or was reckless is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
A carrier loaded sensitive electronic goods on the deck of the ship in violation of what requires them to be loaded in the holds, and rain damaged them. His intent to cause the damage is presumed, so he cannot rely on limitation of his 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 219 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
When can't the carrier rely on limitation of liability?
If it is proved that the damage arose from an act or omission by him, his representative or his servants, with intent to cause damage or recklessly with knowledge that damage could occur.
When is the carrier's intent to cause harm presumed?
If he issued a bill of lading clean of reservations although there was something that required them, with intent to harm a good-faith third party, or loaded the goods on deck in violation of what requires them to be loaded in the holds.
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.