Article 233 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 233 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The carrier is liable for the death or injury of a passenger if the accident occurs during performance of the contract, including the voyage, boarding, disembarking and the period of its custody; it pays full compensation where at fault and is exempt by proving an external cause.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يسأل الناقل عما يحدث من ضرر يتسبب في وفاة الراكب, أو ما يلحقه من إصابات بدنية, إذا وقع الحادث الذي نشأ عنه الضرر خلال تنفيذ عقد النقل.
2- يعد الحادث واقعاً خلال تنفيذ عقد النقل إذا وقع أثناء السفر أو أثناء صعود الراكب إلى السفينة في ميناء المغادرة, أو نزوله منها في ميناء الوصول أو في ميناء وسيط، أو أثناء المدة التي يكون فيها الراكب في حراسة الناقل قبل صعوده إلى السفينة أو نزوله منها.
3- إذا ثبت أن الحادث راجع إلى خطأ أو إهمال من جانب الناقل أو تابعيه فإنه يكون مسؤولاً عن تعويض الضرر كاملاً، ويعفى من المسؤولية إذا أثبت أن وفاة الراكب أو إصابته ترجع إلى سبب خارجي لا يد له فيه.
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 233 explained in plain English
This article establishes the carrier's liability for passenger safety.
First: liability. The carrier is liable for harm causing the death or bodily injury of the passenger, if the accident occurs during performance of the contract of carriage.
Second: what counts as during performance of the contract. An accident is treated as occurring during performance if it occurs:
- During the voyage.
- While the passenger is boarding the ship at the port of departure.
- While the passenger is disembarking at the port of arrival or at an intermediate port.
- During the period when the passenger is in the carrier's custody before boarding or after disembarking.
Third: amount of compensation and exemption.
- If it is proved that the accident is attributable to fault or negligence of the carrier or its agents, the carrier is liable for full compensation for the harm.
- The carrier is exempt from liability if it proves that the death or injury is attributable to an external cause beyond its control.
Article 234 supplements this provision, limiting the carrier's liability to 400,000 accounting units where the death or injury is not due to its fault or negligence, without prejudice to the passenger's rights under Islamic Sharia and the regulations. It is preceded by Article 232 on material change to the voyage. A person injured on a ship, or who has lost a relative, is advised to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime law and compensation.
Practical example
A passenger slipped on a ferry's gangway while boarding at the port of Jeddah because the crew had not secured it. The carrier is liable for the injury because it occurred during boarding, and must pay full compensation for the harm because the accident is attributable to the negligence of its agents.
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 233 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is the carrier liable for my injury while boarding the ship?
Yes. An accident is treated as occurring during performance of the contract of carriage if it occurs while the passenger is boarding the ship at the port of departure.
When does the carrier pay full compensation?
If it is proved that the accident is attributable to fault or negligence on its part or on the part of its agents.
When is the carrier exempt from liability for a passenger's injury?
If it proves that the death or injury is attributable to an external cause beyond its control.
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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
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.