Article 329 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 329 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: التأمين على السفينة
The article provides that insurance for a fixed period covers risks from the first day to the end of the last day, with the day counted as twenty-four hours starting from the hour the contract is concluded, by the time at the place of conclusion.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا كان التأمين لمدة محددة شمل ضمان المؤمِّن الأخطار التي تقع منذ اليوم الأول حتى نهاية اليوم الأخير منها، ويحسب اليوم على أساس أربع وعشرين ساعة تبدأ من ساعة إبرام العقد وفقًا للتوقيت الزمني في المكان الذي أبرم فيه عقد التأمين.
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 329 explained in plain English
This article regulates ship insurance for a fixed period:
- Scope of cover: it includes risks that occur from the first day to the end of the last day of the period.
- Counting the day: the day is counted on the basis of twenty-four hours.
- Start of counting: from the hour the contract is concluded, not from midnight.
- The time used: the time at the place where the insurance contract was concluded.
These rules matter because ships move between different time zones, and an accident may occur at an hour that is characterized differently depending on the time used. The text settled the question by using the time at the place where the contract was concluded and by counting days from the hour of conclusion.
Article 328 states where cover ends in insurance for several successive voyages, while Article 330 provides that the insurer is not liable for natural wear of the ship's hull or inherent defect in it unless the defect is hidden, nor for the master's intentional faults.
Practical example
A company in Jeddah concludes a one-year insurance contract on its ship at 10 a.m. Jeddah time. The first day is counted from 10 a.m. Jeddah time, and each day is twenty-four hours, even if the ship is in another time zone at the time of the accident.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCommercial & Corporate Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 329 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
When does marine insurance for a fixed period start?
The day is counted on the basis of twenty-four hours starting from the hour the contract is concluded, according to the time at the place where it was concluded.
What risks does insurance for a period cover?
The risks that occur from the first day to the end of the last day of the period.
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.