Article 228 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 228 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
A passenger must appear at the time and place stated in the travel ticket; if the passenger fails to appear or is late, the passenger remains liable to pay the fare.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب على الراكب الحضور في الميعاد والمكان المبينين في تذكرة السفر, فإن تخلف عن الحضور, أو تأخر عن الميعاد المحدد, ظل ملزماً بدفع الأجرة.
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 228 explained in plain English
This article sets out the passenger's obligation to appear and the effect of failing to do so:
- The obligation: the passenger must appear at the time and place stated in the travel ticket.
- The consequence: if the passenger fails to appear or is late, the passenger remains liable to pay the fare.
A passenger who misses the ship because of being late cannot recover the fare or be released from it, because the carrier reserved a place and was ready to carry the passenger.
The practical result: a sea traveler should make sure to appear at the specified time and place, because being late means losing the fare.
But this article concerns failure to appear or lateness on the passenger's part. If the passenger dies or an impediment prevents the passenger from traveling, Article 229 applies; it allows the contract to be terminated and the full fare to be recovered provided the carrier is notified in good time before the date, as determined by the regulations, failing which the carrier is entitled to a quarter of the fare.
It is preceded by Article 227, which obliges the carrier to make the ship ready and provide meals and comfort facilities. A person who believes the delay was for an acceptable excuse is advised to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime law.
Practical example
Sarah booked a ticket on a ferry leaving the port of Jeddah at 8 a.m., but arrived at 9 a.m. after the ferry had left. She remains liable to pay the fare.
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 228 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Do I get a refund if I miss the ship?
No. If you fail to appear or are late for the specified time, you remain liable to pay the fare.
What is the passenger's obligation before the voyage?
To appear at the time and place stated in the travel ticket.
More articles on Passenger Carriage and Maritime Tourist Cruises
- Article 105
The master records births and deaths in the official logbook and follows the civil status rules, inventories a deceased person's belongings with an officer and hands them over at the first Saudi port, and may put off a person with a contagious disease at the nearest port.
1- إذا حدثت ولادة أو وفاة أثناء السفر وجب على الربان إثبات هذه الوقائع في دفتر الوقائع الرسمي للسفينة، واتباع الإجراءات المنصوص عليها في الأنظمة الخاصة بالأحوال
- Article 225
A contract for carrying persons by sea is proved by a document called a travel ticket, which states the carrier, passenger, ship, ports, fare and class of accommodation; the ticket cannot be assigned to another person without the carrier's consent.
1- يثبت عقد نقل الأشخاص بحراً بمحرر يسمى تذكرة السفر، يذكر فيها على وجه خاص: أ- اسم الناقل, واسم الراكب, وجنسيته. ب- تاريخ إصدار تذكرة السفر. ج- اسم السفينة, وج
- Article 226
A travel ticket may be replaced by a document stating the carrier's name and services if the ship's tonnage is no more than twenty tons or it operates within the port or in areas set by the maritime authorities.
يجوز أن تستبدل بتذكرة السفر وثيقة أخرى يبين فيها اسم الناقل والخدمات التي يلتزم بتأديتها، وذلك إذا كانت حمولة السفينة الكلية لا تزيد على عشرين طناً، أو كانت الس
- Article 227
A passenger carrier must make the ship seaworthy and fit for the agreed voyage and keep it so throughout the trip, and must provide the necessary meals, comfort facilities and toilets appropriate to the voyage.
يلتزم الناقل بإعداد السفينة وتجهيزها بما يلزم لتكون صالحة للملاحة ولتنفيذ السفر المتفق عليه. ويلتزم كذلك بإبقاء السفينة على هذه الحال طوال مدة السفر, وأن يوفر ا
- Article 229
If the passenger dies or is prevented from traveling, the contract is terminated and the full fare is refunded provided the carrier is notified in good time; otherwise the carrier is entitled to a quarter of the fare. This also applies to the passenger's family and dependents.
إذا توفي الراكب أو قام مانع يحول دون سفره فسخ العقد واسترجعت الأجرة كاملة, بشرط أن يبلغ الراكب أو ورثته الناقل بذلك قبل الميعاد المعين للسفر بوقت مناسب وفق ما ت
- Article 230
Once the voyage has begun, circumstances relating to the passenger personally have no effect on the obligations arising from the contract of carriage.
إذا بدأ السفر فلا يكون للظروف المتعلقة بشخص الراكب أثر فيما يرتبه العقد من التزامات.
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.