Article 276 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 276 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثالث: الخسارة البحرية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 يجوز لصاحبها طلب اعتبارها من الخسارة المشتركة إلاَّ إذا أثبت أنه لم يوافق على شحنها على سطح السفينة, أو إذا كان النظام أو اللوائح المعمول بها في ميناء الشحن أو طبيعة الشحنة توجب شحنها بهذه الكيفية أو جرى العرف في هذا الميناء على ذلك.
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 276 explained in plain English
This Article sets a special rule for goods loaded on the ship's deck, except for coastal navigation between the Kingdom's ports, which this rule does not cover.
If these goods are saved: their value enters the joint loss, that is, they contribute with others to bearing it.
If they are thrown into the sea or damaged: their owner may not ask that they be considered part of the joint loss, unless one of the following cases applies:
- he proves that he did not agree to their being loaded on deck.
- the law or regulations in force at the port of loading require loading them this way.
- the nature of the cargo requires it.
- it is the custom at the port of loading to do so.
So someone who agreed to have his goods loaded on deck without anything requiring it bears the risk of their being thrown overboard alone. Article 275 treats substitute expenses as joint loss within certain limits, while Article 277 excludes from joint loss the loss of goods for which no bill of lading or receipt was issued. To assess the position of a particular shipment, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime matters.
Practical example
A merchant loaded equipment on the deck of a ship heading from a foreign port to Jeddah with his agreement, without any law, the nature of the cargo, or the port's custom requiring it. In a storm the master threw it into the sea to lighten the ship. The merchant may not ask that it be considered part of the joint loss.
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 276 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Do goods on the ship's deck enter the joint loss?
If saved, their value enters it. If thrown into the sea or damaged, their owner may not ask that they be considered part of it unless he proves he did not agree to deck loading, or the law or regulations at the port of loading, the nature of the cargo, or custom requires it.
Does this rule apply to coastal carriage inside the Kingdom?
No. The Article excepts coastal navigation between the Kingdom's ports.
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 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.
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.