Article 274 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 274 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثالث: الخسارة البحرية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 274 explained in plain English
Those with interests may ask: if the danger that led the master to make the sacrifice arose from the fault of one of the parties concerned in the voyage, does the loss lose its joint character?
This Article answers that the loss is considered joint even if the incident occurred through the fault of one of the parties concerned. So the loss is distributed among those with interests under the provisions on joint loss.
But this does not mean excusing the party at fault: the Article preserves the right of the other parties concerned to have recourse against the person who committed the fault. Someone who contributed to the joint loss because of another's fault can afterwards claim from the party at fault what he bore.
The reason is that the sacrifice the master decided on was for the common safety, so it is treated as a joint loss whatever the cause of the danger, and then the matter of the fault is settled at a later stage between the parties concerned and the party at fault.
Article 273 specifies the damages accepted in joint loss, and Article 275 treats as joint loss expenses incurred in place of other expenses that would have been accepted in it. To assess the right of recourse in a particular incident, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime matters.
Practical example
One of the shippers made a mistake in packing flammable materials and a fire broke out on the ship, so the master ordered some goods thrown overboard to save it. The loss remains joint and those with interests contribute to it, and they may afterwards have recourse against the shipper at fault.
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 274 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Does the loss remain joint if the incident was due to the fault of one party?
Yes. The loss is considered joint even if the incident that caused it occurred through the fault of one of the parties concerned in the voyage.
Can recourse be had against whoever caused the incident?
Yes, without prejudice to the right of the other parties concerned to have recourse against the person who committed the fault.
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 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 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.