Article 29 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 29 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل السادس: المنصات البحرية
The article empowers the Authority to license offshore platforms to work in the Kingdom's maritime areas, requires the licensee to meet safety, security and environmental assessment requirements, and subjects the platform to periodic inspection every five years.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تصدر الهيئة الترخيص للمنصات البحرية للعمل في المناطق البحرية للمملكة، وفقاً للاشتراطات والتعليمات التي تحددها اللوائح.
2- توفر الجهة المنتفعة بالترخيص متطلبات الأمن والسلامة وإجراءات التقويم البيئي لحماية البيئة البحرية طبقاً للنظام العام للبيئة والاتفاقيات الدولية الصادرة عن المنظمة البحرية الدولية.
3- تخضع المنصة البحرية لفحص دوري كل خمس سنوات، وفقاً للإجراءات التي تحددها اللوائح.
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 29 explained in plain English
This article regulates offshore platforms, which under Article 1 are maritime installations used to extract oil, gas or other resources and are treated as ships.
1. Licensing: the Authority, which is the Transport General Authority, issues the licence for platforms to work in the Kingdom's maritime areas, according to the requirements and instructions set by the regulations.
2. The licensee's obligations: the party benefiting from the licence provides:
- Security and safety requirements.
- Environmental assessment procedures to protect the marine environment.
This is in accordance with the General Environment Law and the international conventions issued by the International Maritime Organization.
3. Periodic inspection: the platform is subject to periodic inspection every five years, according to the procedures set by the regulations.
In practical terms, operating an offshore platform in Saudi waters requires a licence from the Authority, and responsibility for security, safety and environmental assessment lies with the party benefiting from the licence, with a mandatory inspection every five years. The article does not specify the details of the requirements or the results of inspection. Companies working in this field can consult a lawyer specializing in commercial cases.
Practical example
A company operates an offshore platform to extract gas in the Arabian Gulf. It needs a licence from the Authority, provides security, safety and environmental assessment requirements, and the platform is subject to periodic inspection every five years.
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 29 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Who licenses offshore platforms in the Kingdom?
The Authority, according to the requirements and instructions set by the regulations.
How often is an offshore platform inspected?
It is subject to periodic inspection every five years, according to the procedures set by the regulations.
What are the obligations of the licensed party?
To provide security and safety requirements and environmental assessment procedures, in accordance with the General Environment Law and the International Maritime Organization's international conventions.
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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.