Article 229 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 229 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 تحدده اللوائح، فإذا لم يتم الإبلاغ استحق الناقل ربع الأجرة, وتسري هذه الأحكام على أفراد عائلة الراكب وتابعيه الذين كان مقرراً أن يسافروا معه إذا طلبوا ذلك.
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 229 explained in plain English
This article deals with the case of the passenger's death or an impediment preventing the passenger from traveling.
First: the effect. The contract is terminated and the full fare is recovered.
Second: the condition for full recovery. The passenger or the heirs must notify the carrier before the date set for the voyage, in good time, as determined by the regulations. The article does not specify this time but refers it to the regulations.
Third: failure to notify. If notice is not given, the carrier is entitled to a quarter of the fare, and the remainder is returned.
Fourth: family and dependents. These provisions apply to the passenger's family members and dependents who were due to travel with the passenger, if they so request. If the head of a family dies, the family members traveling with him may also request termination of their contracts.
This differs from Article 228, which makes the passenger liable for the fare if the passenger fails to appear or is late; there the failure is the passenger's own without an impediment, whereas here it is death or an impediment.
It is followed by Article 230, which provides that once the voyage has begun, circumstances relating to the passenger personally have no effect on the obligations arising from the contract. A person in this situation is advised to notify the carrier promptly and to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime law in case of a dispute.
Practical example
Ahmed booked two tickets for himself and his wife on a ferry, then fell ill and could not travel. If he notifies the carrier in good time before the date, the contract is terminated and he recovers the full fare, and his wife may also request termination of her contract. If he does not notify, the carrier is entitled to a quarter of 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 229 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Do I get a refund if something prevents me from traveling?
Yes. The contract is terminated and the full fare is refunded provided the carrier is notified in good time before the date, as determined by the regulations.
What if I do not notify the carrier?
The carrier is entitled to a quarter of the fare.
Do accompanying family members get their fare back?
These provisions apply to the passenger's family members and dependents who were due to travel with the passenger, if they so request.
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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 228
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.
يجب على الراكب الحضور في الميعاد والمكان المبينين في تذكرة السفر, فإن تخلف عن الحضور, أو تأخر عن الميعاد المحدد, ظل ملزماً بدفع الأجرة.
- 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.