Article 245 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 245 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The article caps the passenger's compensation at 22,500 accounting units for loss of or damage to registered baggage and 12,700 units for other baggage, and subjects unregistered baggage to the rules on carriage of goods.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- لا يجوز أن تزيد قيمة التعويض الذي يُحكَم به على الناقل للراكب في حالة هلاك الأمتعة المسجلة أو تلفها داخل القمرة (غرفة القيادة بالسفينة) على (22.500) وحدة حسابية، ولا تزيد على (12.700) وحدة حسابية في حالة الضرر الذي يلحق بالأمتعة الأخرى.
2- تسري على نقل الأمتعة غير المسجلة أحكام عقد نقل البضائع بحراً المنصوص عليها في النظام.
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 245 explained in plain English
This article sets a maximum on the compensation the carrier can be ordered to pay the passenger for baggage:
- 22,500 accounting units as the maximum in case of loss of or damage to registered baggage inside the cabin, as stated in the text (which explained the cabin as the ship's wheelhouse).
- 12,700 accounting units as the maximum in case of damage to other baggage.
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. Its value in riyals therefore changes and is known precisely only at the time of payment.
Paragraph 2 provides that the carriage of unregistered baggage is governed by the provisions of the contract for carriage of goods by sea set out in the Law. Article 244 helps in knowing what counts as registered baggage, since it includes cars and vehicles that the passenger delivers to the carrier. Article 246 also excludes from these limits things the passenger deposits with the master or the person responsible for keeping deposits, once the passenger has informed them of their importance. Assessing compensation in a particular case requires consulting a lawyer specialized in maritime law and compensation.
Practical example
A suitcase that Sarah delivered to the carrier, and for which she received a receipt, was damaged during a sea voyage from Jeddah. If she claims compensation, the amount awarded against the carrier may not exceed the limit set in this article for registered baggage, calculated in riyals at the Ministry of Finance's valuation at the time of payment.
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 245 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
What is the maximum compensation for registered baggage in sea carriage?
No more than 22,500 accounting units for loss of or damage to registered baggage inside the cabin, and no more than 12,700 accounting units for damage to other baggage.
What is the accounting unit worth in riyals?
It is the Special Drawing Right of the International Monetary Fund, valued in riyals as determined by the Ministry of Finance at the time the claim is paid.
What is the rule for unregistered baggage?
Its carriage is governed by the provisions of the contract for carriage of goods by sea set out in 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
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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
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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
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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
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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.