Article 322 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 322 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الأول: الأحكام العامة
The article requires the insured, when notifying his wish to abandon, to declare all insurance contracts he made or knows to exist.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب على المؤمن له عند تبليغ رغبته في الترك أن يصرح بجميع عقود التأمين التي أجراها, أو التي يعلم بوجودها.
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 322 explained in plain English
This article adds a duty on the insured when notifying his wish to abandon: he must declare all insurance contracts:
- That he made himself, and
- That he knows to exist.
The reason is that abandonment makes the insurer liable to pay the full insured sum, so the insurer needs to know whether the same thing is insured with others, so that the insured does not obtain more than his due.
Note that the duty covers contracts he knows to exist even if he did not make them himself. The article does not provide a consequence for failing to make the declaration.
Article 321 sets the method and time limit for notifying the wish to abandon: by judicial notice, registered letter or any means that establishes knowledge, within three months of learning of the accident that allows abandonment. Article 323 allows a ruling that the insured loses his right to the insurance in whole or in part if, in bad faith, he gave a declaration about the accident that does not conform to the truth and the insurer suffered damage as a result.
Practical example
The owner of a ship that sank notifies his insurer of his wish to abandon it, having insured the same ship with another company. When giving notice he must declare the other insurance contract and any contract he knows to exist.
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 322 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Must I mention other insurance contracts when abandoning?
Yes. When notifying his wish to abandon, the insured must declare all insurance contracts he made or knows to exist.
Does this include contracts I did not make myself?
Yes. It includes contracts the insured knows to exist.
More articles on Marine Insurance
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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.