Article 271 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 271 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثالث: الخسارة البحرية
The Article provides that marine loss is governed first by the parties' agreement, then by this chapter's provisions, then by maritime custom where there is neither agreement nor provision.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تسري على الخسارة البحرية التي لم يرد في شأنها اتفاق خاص بين ذوي الشأن؛ الأحكام المنصوص عليها في هذا الفصل, فإن لم يكن هناك اتفاق أو نص في هذا الفصل فتطبق القواعد المقررة في العرف البحري.
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 271 explained in plain English
This Article sets the order of the rules applied to marine loss, which are:
- The special agreement between the parties concerned: if those with interests in the voyage (such as the ship's owner and the owners of cargo) agree on a particular rule for the loss, it takes precedence.
- The provisions of this chapter: they apply to a marine loss on which there is no special agreement.
- Maritime custom: if there is neither an agreement nor a provision in this chapter, the rules established in maritime custom are applied.
Marine loss, according to Article 1, is of two kinds: joint loss, which is any sacrifice or extraordinary expense decided on by the master and made deliberately and in a reasonable manner for the common safety to avoid an imminent danger threatening the ship or the cargo; and particular loss, which is any loss to which the provisions on joint losses do not apply. Article 272 elaborates on this division and presumes that a loss is particular until the contrary is proven.
The practical benefit is that carriage and insurance contracts often contain terms on the adjustment of loss, so one starts with them. To review these terms, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial matters.
Practical example
A bill of lading for goods heading to the port of Jeddah contained a clause setting how a joint loss is adjusted. When a loss occurs, this clause is applied first, then the provisions of the marine loss chapter on what it does not cover, then maritime custom on what neither an agreement nor a provision addresses.
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 271 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
What rules govern marine loss?
First the special agreement between the parties concerned, then the provisions of the marine loss chapter in the Law, then the rules established in maritime custom if there is neither an agreement nor a provision.
Can parties agree on different rules for marine loss?
Yes. The chapter's provisions apply to a marine loss on which there is no special agreement between the parties concerned.
More articles on General Average
- Article 202
Freight is payable for goods that the master decides to throw into the sea or sacrifice to save the ship or the cargo, subject to the general average provisions.
تستحق أجرة النقل عن البضائع التي يقرر الربان إلقاءها في البحر أو التضحية بها بأي صورة أخرى لإنقاذ السفينة أو الشحنة، مع مراعاة أحكام الخسائر البحرية المشتركة ال
- Article 272
The Article divides marine loss into joint and particular, presumes a loss is particular unless the person claiming it is joint proves otherwise, and places particular loss on the owner of the damaged thing or whoever bore the expenses, with a right of recourse.
1- تكون الخسارة البحرية إما مشتركة وإما خاصة. 2- يفترض أن الخسارة خاصة, وعلى من يدعي أن الخسارة مشتركة إثبات ذلك. 3- يتحمل الخسارة البحرية الخاصة مالك الشيء الذ
- Article 273
The Article limits what is accepted in joint loss to physical damage to the ship or cargo and sums spent on them arising directly from the master's sacrifice or expenses, excluding damage from delay and indirect damage.
لا تقبل في الخسارة المشتركة إلاَّ الأضرار المادية التي تصيب السفينة أو البضائع الموجودة عليها, والمبالغ التي تنفق من أجلها، بشرط أن تكون الأضرار أو المبالغ ناشئ
- Article 274
The Article provides that a loss remains joint even if the incident that caused it occurred through the fault of one of the parties concerned in the voyage, with the others' right of recourse against the party at fault preserved.
تعد الخسارة مشتركة حتى لو وقع الحادث الذي نتجت عنه بخطأ أحد ذوي الشأن في الرحلة، وذلك دون إخلال بحق ذوي الشأن الآخرين في الرجوع على من صدر منه الخطأ.
- Article 275
The Article treats as joint loss expenses incurred in place of other expenses that would have been accepted in the loss had they been incurred, provided they do not exceed the expenses not incurred.
تعد خسارة مشتركة المصروفات التي أنفقت بدلاً من مصروفات أخرى كانت تقبل في الخسارة لو أنها أنفقت, بشرط ألاَّ تجاوز المصروفات التي لم تنفق.
- Article 276
The Article includes the value of goods loaded on deck in joint loss if saved, and allows their owner to claim jettisoned or damaged goods as joint loss only in specified cases, except in coastal navigation.
فيما عدا الملاحة الساحلية بين موانئ المملكة, تدخل قيمة البضائع التي تشحن على سطح السفينة في الخسارة المشتركة إذا أنقذت، أما إذا ألقيت في البحر, أو أتلفت فلا يجو
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.