Article 309 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 309 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الأول: الأحكام العامة
The article excludes from maritime insurance war, piracy, unrest, sabotage, terrorism and nuclear risks unless otherwise agreed, and damage the insured things cause to others, except as stated in Article 331.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- لا يشمل التأمين أخطار الحرب الأهلية أو الخارجية وأعمال القرصنة والاستيلاء والاضطرابات والثورات والإضراب والإغلاق وأعمال التخريب والإرهاب والأضرار الناشئة بطريقة مباشرة أو غير مباشرة عن تفجيرات أو إشعاعات نووية أيًّا كان سببها, ما لم يتفق على خلاف ذلك.
2- عدا ما نصت عليه المادة (الحادية والثلاثون بعد الثلاثمائة), لا يشمل التأمين الأضرار التي تحدثها الأشياء المؤمن عليها للأموال الأخرى أو الأشخاص.
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 309 explained in plain English
This article sets out what maritime insurance does not cover as a rule:
Paragraph 1: risks excluded unless otherwise agreed:
- Civil or foreign war.
- Acts of piracy and seizure.
- Unrest, revolutions, strikes and lockouts.
- Acts of sabotage and terrorism.
- Damage arising directly or indirectly from nuclear explosions or radiation, whatever the cause.
The policy does not cover these risks unless it is agreed that they are included. Article 310 sets out what war risk insurance covers if agreed.
Paragraph 2: damage to third parties: the insurance does not cover damage that the things insured cause to other property or to persons, except as provided in Article 331. Article 331 requires the insurer, except for damage to persons, to pay the compensation owed by the insured to third parties where the insured ship collides with another ship or strikes a fixed, moving or floating object.
Article 308 keeps the insurer liable where there is a necessity to change the route. Anyone who needs cover for these risks should consult a lawyer specialized in insurance and maritime cases before contracting.
Practical example
A company in Jeddah insured its ship under an ordinary policy that contained no agreement on piracy risks, and the ship was then attacked by pirates. The insurance does not cover this risk because it was not agreed that it would be included.
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 309 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Does maritime insurance cover war and piracy risks?
The insurance does not include them unless otherwise agreed.
Does the insurance cover damage my ship causes to others?
The insurance does not cover damage that the things insured cause to other property or to persons, except for the compensation for collision and striking owed to third parties, other than damage to persons, as stated in Article 331.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Marine Insurance
- Article 139
Ships carrying the Kingdom's nationality are not permitted to sail to areas dominated by the dangers of war, piracy or armed robbery until proof of insurance of their crew against these dangers is provided.
لا يصرح للسفن التي تحمل جنسية المملكة بالسفر إلى المناطق التي تغلب عليها أخطار الحرب, أو أعمال القرصنة أو السطو المسلح, إلا بعد تقديم مالكها أو مجهزها أو مستأجر
- Article 215
Any agreement made before the incident that exempts the carrier from liability for loss of or damage to the goods, alters the burden of proof placed on him, or assigns to him the rights arising from cargo insurance is void.
يقع باطلاً كل اتفاق يتم قبل وقوع الحادث الذي نشأ عنه الضرر, ويكون موضوعه أحد الأمور الآتية: 1- إعفاء الناقل من المسؤولية عن هلاك البضائع أو تلفها. 2- تعديل عبء
- Article 236
The carrier must hold insurance or a guarantee from a recognized body covering its liability for death and bodily injury, and the injured party may claim directly against the insurer or guarantor.
يجب أن يكون لدى الناقل تأمين أو ضمان من جهة معترف بها، لتغطية مسؤوليته عن الوفاة والإصابات البدنية. وفي هذه الحالة يجوز للمتضرر الرجوع المباشر على المؤمن أو الض
- Article 293
The article provides that the maritime insurance provisions apply to an insurance contract covering maritime risks, without prejudice to the Law on Supervision of Cooperative Insurance Companies.
دون إخلال بالأحكام الواردة في نظام مراقبة شركات التأمين التعاوني, تسري أحكام هذا الباب على عقد التأمين الذي يكون موضوعه تغطية الأخطار البحرية.
- Article 294
The article requires a maritime insurance contract and any change to it to be proved in writing, sets the particulars of the insurance policy, and makes a provisional policy binding on both parties until the final policy is issued.
1- لا يثبت عقد التأمين وكل ما يطرأ عليه إلاَّ بالكتابة. 2- يصدر بموجب عقد التأمين وثيقة تأمين تتضمن البيانات الآتية: أ- تاريخ عقد التأمين ومكانه. ب- اسم المؤمِّ
- Article 295
The article allows a maritime insurance policy to be issued in the name of the insured, to his order or to bearer, and gives its lawful holder the right to claim compensation, subject to the insurer's defenses against the insured.
1- تكون وثيقة التأمين باسم المؤمن له أو لأمره، أو لحاملها. 2- يكون لحامل الوثيقة الشرعي الحق في المطالبة بالتعويض, وللمؤمِّن أن يحتج في مواجهته بالدفوع التي 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.