Article 319 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 319 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الأول: الأحكام العامة
The article requires the insurer to pay the insured things' share in general average and salvage expenses, in proportion to their value after deducting the particular loss borne by the insured, if any.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على المؤمِّن أن يدفع حصة الأشياء المؤمن عليها في الخسارة المشتركة ومصروفات الإنقاذ, وذلك بنسبة قيمة الأشياء المؤمن عليها بعد خصم الخسارة الخاصة التي يتحملها المؤمن له إن وجدت.
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 319 explained in plain English
When general average or salvage operations occur, the owners of the ship and of the goods are asked to contribute shares. This article provides that the insurer pays the insured things' share in:
- General average, and
- Salvage expenses.
Method of calculation: in proportion to the value of the insured things, after deducting the particular loss borne by the insured, if any.
Under Article 1, general average is any sacrifice or extraordinary expense decided on by the master for the common safety to avoid an imminent danger, and particular loss is any loss to which the rules of general average do not apply. If the insured bears a particular loss, it is deducted before the insurer's share is calculated.
The practical benefit is that the owner of insured goods does not bear his share in general average or salvage alone; the insurer bears it within the limits stated. Article 318 provides that the insurer is not obliged to repair or replace the things, and Article 320 regulates the rules of abandonment and its effects.
Practical example
A ship's master jettisons part of the cargo to save the ship, and a company in Jeddah is asked to contribute its share for its undamaged goods in general average. The company's insurer pays this share in proportion to the value of the insured goods, after deducting any particular loss the company bears.
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 319 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Does the insurance company pay my share in general average?
Yes. The insurer must pay the insured things' share in general average and salvage expenses.
How is the insurer's share calculated?
In proportion to the value of the insured things, after deducting the particular loss borne by the insured, if any.
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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
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- 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
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دون إخلال بالأحكام الواردة في نظام مراقبة شركات التأمين التعاوني, تسري أحكام هذا الباب على عقد التأمين الذي يكون موضوعه تغطية الأخطار البحرية.
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- Article 295
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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.