Article 234 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 234 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The carrier's liability for the death or injury of a passenger does not exceed 400,000 accounting units per accident where it is not due to the carrier's fault or negligence, without prejudice to the passenger's rights under Islamic Sharia and the regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يجب ألاَّ تتجاوز مسؤولية الناقل عن الوفاة أو الإصابة البدنية للراكب (400.000) وحدة حسابية إذا لم تكن الوفاة أو الإصابة البدنية للراكب بسبب خطأ أو إهمال من الناقل. ويشمل ذلك مجموع طلبات التعويض التي يقدمها الراكب أو ورثته أو من يعولهم، وذلك عن كل حادث على حدة.
2- لا تمس الأحكام المذكورة في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة حقوق الراكب في حالة الوفاة أو الإصابة البدنية المنصوص عليها في الشريعة الإسلامية أو الأنظمة المعمول بها في المملكة.
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 234 explained in plain English
This article sets the ceiling on the carrier's liability for the death or bodily injury of a passenger.
First: the maximum. The carrier's liability does not exceed 400,000 accounting units, provided that the death or injury is not due to fault or negligence of the carrier.
- This limit covers the total of the compensation claims brought by the passenger, the heirs or those the passenger supported.
- It is calculated per accident.
Under Article 1, the accounting unit is the Special Drawing Right as defined by the International Monetary Fund, valued in riyals or their equivalent as determined by the Ministry of Finance at the time the claim is paid.
Second: protection of Sharia rights. The provisions of this limit do not prejudice the passenger's rights in case of death or bodily injury provided for in Islamic Sharia or the regulations in force in the Kingdom. The article does not detail these rights.
The condition "where it is not due to fault or negligence" means that this limit does not apply if the death or injury is due to the carrier's fault or negligence; Article 233 provides that the carrier is liable for full compensation for the harm if it is proved that the accident is attributable to its fault or the negligence of its agents. It is followed by Article 235, which prevents the carrier from relying on the limitation of liability in cases of intent, or negligence with awareness of the likelihood of harm. Families of deceased and injured persons are advised to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime law and compensation.
Practical example
A passenger on a ship was injured by a sudden wave, with no fault or negligence on the carrier's part. The carrier's liability does not exceed 400,000 accounting units, valued in riyals at the time of payment, without prejudice to the passenger's rights under Sharia and the regulations.
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 234 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
What is the maximum compensation for a passenger's death or injury at sea?
400,000 accounting units per accident, where the death or injury is not due to fault or negligence of the carrier.
Does this limit prevent a claim for blood money (diya)?
These provisions do not prejudice the passenger's rights in case of death or bodily injury provided for in Islamic Sharia or the regulations in force in the Kingdom.
What is the accounting unit?
The Special Drawing Right as defined by the International Monetary Fund, valued in riyals as determined by the Ministry of Finance at the time the claim is paid.
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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.