Article 275 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 275 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثالث: الخسارة البحرية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تعد خسارة مشتركة المصروفات التي أنفقت بدلاً من مصروفات أخرى كانت تقبل في الخسارة لو أنها أنفقت, بشرط ألاَّ تجاوز المصروفات التي لم تنفق.
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 275 explained in plain English
This Article deals with what are called substitute expenses. The master may have two ways to meet a danger: a way whose expenses already enter the joint loss, and another, substitute way. If he chooses the substitute way, do its expenses enter the joint loss?
The Article provides that expenses incurred in place of other expenses that would have been accepted in the loss had they been incurred are considered joint loss.
But with an important limit: they must not exceed the expenses that were not incurred. What enters the joint loss is the substitute expenses up to the value of the original expenses that were saved. Anything above that is not accepted in it under this Article.
The idea is that those with interests should not bear more than they would have borne had the original way been followed.
Article 274 provides that the loss remains joint even if the incident occurred through the fault of one of the parties concerned, while Article 276 regulates the rule for goods loaded on the ship's deck. To calculate substitute expenses in a particular incident, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime matters.
Practical example
A ship was damaged in a foreign port, and repairing it there would have cost an amount that enters the joint loss, so the master decided to tow it to the port of Jeddah to repair it at a lower cost. The towing expenses enter the joint loss provided they do not exceed the expenses that would have been incurred in the original way and were not incurred.
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 275 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Do substitute expenses enter the joint loss?
Yes. Expenses incurred in place of other expenses that would have been accepted in the loss had they been incurred are considered joint loss.
Is there a limit on substitute expenses?
Yes, provided they do not exceed the expenses that were not incurred.
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 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 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.