Article 221 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 221 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
Claims arising from a contract of carriage of goods by sea are not heard after two years from receipt or the date receipt should have occurred; the period is interrupted by a registered letter, delivery of documents or appointment of an expert, and recourse must be brought within 90 days.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- لا تسمع دعوى المنازعات الناشئة عن عقد نقل البضائع بحراً بعد مضي سنتين من تاريخ تسلم البضائع، أو من التاريخ الذي كان يجب أن يتم فيه التسلم.
2- ينقطع سريان المدة المذكورة في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة بالمطالبة بخطاب مصحوب بعلم الوصول، أو بتسليم المستندات المتعلقة بالمطالبة، أو بندب خبير لتقدير الأضرار، وذلك بالإضافة إلى الأسباب المقررة نظاماً.
3- ينقضي حق من وجهت إليه المطالبة في الرجوع على غيره من الملتزمين بعد مضي تسعين يوماً من تاريخ إقامة الدعوى عليه، أو من تاريخ وفائه, ولو انقضت المدة المشار إليها في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة.
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 221 explained in plain English
This article sets the time limits for claims arising from a contract of carriage of goods by sea.
First: the basic period. A claim is not heard after two years from:
- the date the goods were received, or
- the date on which receipt should have taken place if they were not delivered.
Second: interruption of the period. It is interrupted by any of:
- a demand by a letter with acknowledgment of receipt;
- delivery of the documents relating to the claim;
- appointment of an expert to assess the damage;
- in addition to the grounds provided by law, which the article does not list.
Third: recourse claims. A person against whom a claim was made who wishes to have recourse against other obligors loses his right after ninety days from the date the claim was brought against him or from the date of his payment, even if the two-year period has expired. This is a special period that allows recourse even after the original period has run.
The last provision is linked to Article 220, which makes the contracting carrier and the actual carrier jointly liable for damage in the part the actual carrier performed; whichever of them pays may have recourse against the other. It is followed by Article 222, which specifies the courts before which a claim may be brought. Anyone with a claim is advised to send a letter with acknowledgment of receipt to interrupt the period and to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
A merchant in Jeddah received damaged goods on March 1, 2025. He sent the carrier a demand letter with acknowledgment of receipt in September 2025, which interrupted the two-year period.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCommercial & Corporate Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 221 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
What is the time limit for bringing a claim under a contract of carriage of goods by sea?
Two years from the date the goods were received or the date on which receipt should have taken place.
How do I interrupt the limitation period?
By a demand by a letter with acknowledgment of receipt, delivery of the documents relating to the claim, or appointment of an expert to assess the damage, in addition to the grounds provided by law.
What is the period for a defendant's recourse against other obligors?
Ninety days from the date the claim was brought against him or from the date of his payment, even if the two-year period has expired.
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.