Article 243 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 243 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The sea carrier's obligation includes carrying the passenger's baggage within the limits set by the contract, in accordance with procedures set by the regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يشمل التزام الناقل نقل أمتعة الراكب في الحدود التي يعينها العقد، وفق الإجراءات التي تحددها اللوائح.
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 243 explained in plain English
This article makes clear that a contract of carriage of a passenger is not limited to carrying the person, but includes the carrier's obligation to carry the passenger's baggage as well. A passenger who contracts to travel does not, in principle, need a separate contract to carry the baggage.
But this obligation is not absolute; it is subject to two things:
- The limits set by the contract: it is the contract that determines what baggage is covered and how much.
- The procedures set by the regulations: that is, the Implementing Regulations of the Law as defined in Article 1. The article does not state the details of these procedures, so reference is made to the regulations.
It is therefore useful for the passenger to read the terms of the contract or ticket to learn the permitted baggage limits. Article 244 supplements this provision by obliging the carrier to give the passenger a receipt for baggage it takes over for carriage and to record it in a special register or notice, while Article 242 deals with the carrier's liability for the baggage of a passenger carried free of charge in specified cases.
Practical example
Mohammed booked a sea voyage from Duba, and the ticket terms set a specific baggage limit. The carrier must carry Mohammed's baggage within the limits stated in the contract and in accordance with the procedures set by 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 243 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is the sea carrier obliged to carry the passenger's baggage?
Yes, the carrier's obligation includes carrying the passenger's baggage within the limits set by the contract.
Who determines the permitted amount of baggage?
The contract sets the limits, while the procedures are set by the Implementing Regulations of the Law.
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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 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
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.

