Article 272 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 272 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثالث: الخسارة البحرية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 الذي لحقه الضرر, أو من تحمل المصروفات, مع مراعاة حقه في الرجوع على من أحدث الضرر, أو من استفاد من المصروفات التي أنفقت.
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 272 explained in plain English
This Article sets three basic rules:
- The division: marine loss is either joint or particular. Joint loss, according to Article 1, is the sacrifice or extraordinary expenses decided on by the master, made deliberately and in a reasonable manner for the common safety to avoid an imminent danger, and particular loss is any loss to which the provisions on joint loss do not apply.
- The presumption and burden of proof: a loss is presumed to be particular, and whoever claims that it is joint must prove it.
- Who bears particular loss: it is borne by the owner of the thing that suffered the damage, or whoever bore the expenses, with his right of recourse against whoever caused the damage, or against whoever benefited from the expenses incurred.
The practical difference is great: joint loss is distributed among those with interests in the voyage, while particular loss is, in principle, borne by its owner alone. Therefore whoever wants others to share his loss must prove that it has the character of joint loss.
Article 271 provides that these rules apply unless there is a special agreement between the parties concerned, while Article 273 specifies the damages accepted in joint loss.
Practical example
A merchant's containers in Riyadh were damaged by water leaking into the ship's hold without the master having decided on any sacrifice. The loss is presumed particular and the merchant bears it, with his right of recourse against whoever caused the damage. If he wants it treated as joint loss, he must prove that.
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 272 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
What is the difference between joint and particular marine loss?
Joint loss is a sacrifice or extraordinary expenses decided on by the master, made deliberately to avoid an imminent danger threatening the ship or the cargo, and particular loss is any loss to which the provisions on joint loss do not apply.
Who bears particular marine loss?
The owner of the thing that suffered the damage or whoever bore the expenses, with his right of recourse against whoever caused the damage or benefited from the expenses.
Who must prove that a loss is joint?
A loss is presumed to be particular, and whoever claims that it is joint must prove it.
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 271
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.
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 القواع
- 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.