Article 224 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 224 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
Where a claim arising from a contract of carriage of goods by sea is referred to arbitration by agreement, the arbitrators must decide the dispute under the arbitration rules agreed between the parties.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
في حالة الاتفاق على إحالة الدعوى الناشئة عن عقد نقل البضائع بحراً إلى التحكيم يلتزم المحكمون بالفصل في النزاع طبقاً لنظام التحكيم المتفق عليه بين الأطراف.
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 224 explained in plain English
This article specifies the rules under which the arbitrators decide sea carriage disputes.
If the parties agree to refer a claim arising from a contract of carriage of goods by sea to arbitration, the arbitrators must decide the dispute under the arbitration rules agreed between the parties.
This means that the parties are the ones who agree on the arbitration rules, and the arbitrators are bound to decide the dispute under them. The article does not specify a particular set of rules but leaves that to the parties' agreement.
The practical result is that anyone who includes an arbitration clause in a contract of carriage by sea should clearly specify the agreed arbitration rules, so that no later dispute arises over them.
Note that this article concerns the rules under which the arbitrators decide, whereas Article 223 concerns the place of arbitration; that article makes the place the claimant's choice among specified places and voids any pre-dispute agreement that deprives him of this choice or restricts it.
It is followed by Article 225, which moves on to the contract of carriage of persons by sea and provides that it is proved by the passage ticket and its particulars. To draft an arbitration clause precisely, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime law and commercial arbitration.
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 224 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
What rules do arbitrators apply in sea shipping disputes?
They must decide the dispute under the arbitration rules agreed between the parties.
Does the article specify particular arbitration rules?
No. It leaves that to the parties' agreement.
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.