Article 220 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 220 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The carrier may entrust the carriage or part of it to another carrier unless otherwise agreed; the contracting carrier remains liable to the shipper for all damage, and the actual carrier is liable jointly with him for damage during the part he performs.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز أن يعهد الناقل بتنفيذ عملية النقل أو بتنفيذ جزء منها إلى ناقل آخر ما لم يتفق على غير ذلك، ويبقى الناقل الذي أبرم عقد النقل مع الشاحن مسؤولاً قبله عن جميع الأضرار التي تحدث أثناء تنفيذ عقد النقل، ولا يسأل الناقل الفعلي قِبل الشاحن إلا عن الأضرار التي تحدث أثناء الجزء الذي ينفذه من النقل، ويكون مسؤولاً عن هذه الأضرار قبل الشاحن بالتضامن مع الناقل المتعاقد.
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 220 explained in plain English
This article regulates subcontracting the carriage to another carrier and allocates liability between the carriers.
First: permission. The carrier may entrust the whole or part of the carriage to another carrier, unless otherwise agreed.
Second: the contracting carrier's liability. The carrier who made the contract with the shipper remains liable to him for all damage occurring during performance of the contract of carriage, and does not escape it by subcontracting the carriage.
Third: the actual carrier's liability.
- He is liable to the shipper only for damage occurring during the part he performs.
- He is liable for this damage jointly with the contracting carrier.
Joint liability means that the shipper can claim the full compensation from either of them for damage that occurred in the part performed by the actual carrier.
The practical result for the shipper:
- for any damage: he claims against the contracting carrier;
- for damage in the actual carrier's part: he claims against either or both.
It follows Article 219, which deprives the carrier of limited liability in cases of intent or recklessness. It is followed by Article 221, which sets the limitation period for claims under a contract of carriage of goods by sea at two years. Anyone whose goods were damaged in a carriage involving several carriers is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
A merchant in Riyadh contracted with a transport company to ship his goods from Dammam to a European port. The company entrusted the second stage to another carrier, and the goods were damaged during it. The merchant can claim against the company he contracted with or against the actual carrier, because they are jointly liable for damage in that stage.
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 220 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
May the carrier assign another carrier to carry my goods?
Yes. He may entrust the whole or part of the carriage to him, unless otherwise agreed.
Whom do I claim against if the goods are damaged with the actual carrier?
You may claim against the contracting carrier or the actual carrier; they are jointly liable for damage occurring during the part the actual carrier performed.
Does the contracting carrier escape liability by subcontracting?
No. He remains liable to the shipper for all damage occurring during performance of the contract of carriage.
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.