Article 330 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 330 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: التأمين على السفينة
The article excludes from the insurer's liability damage from natural wear of the ship's hull or its inherent defect unless hidden, and damage from the master's intentional faults.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- لا يسأل المؤمِّن عن الأضرار الناشئة عن التآكل الطبيعي في هيكل السفينة أو العيب الذاتي فيها إلاَّ إذا كان العيب خفيًّا.
2- لا يسأل المؤمِّن عن الأضرار الناشئة عما يصدر من الربان من أخطاء متعمدة.
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 330 explained in plain English
This article sets two exceptions specific to ship insurance:
1. Wear and inherent defect (paragraph 1): the insurer is not liable for damage arising from:
- Natural wear of the ship's hull, or
- An inherent defect in it,
unless the defect is hidden. The exception does not cover a hidden defect, for which the insurer is liable.
2. The master's intentional faults (paragraph 2): the insurer is not liable for damage arising from intentional faults by the master. The restriction here is intent, and the text does not address unintentional faults.
This is consistent with the definition in Article 1 of maritime risks as unforeseen accidents that may occur in connection with a sea voyage.
Article 329 regulates insurance for a fixed period, while Article 331 requires the insurer, apart from damage to persons, to pay the compensation the insured owes to third parties where the insured ship collides, or strikes a fixed, moving or floating object.
Practical example
Water leaks into an insured ship because of old rust in its hull from long use. The insurer is not liable for this damage because it results from natural wear. If the leak were due to a hidden defect in the hull welding that was not apparent, however, he would be liable.
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 330 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Does ship insurance cover damage resulting from wear?
The insurer is not liable for damage arising from natural wear of the ship's hull or an inherent defect in it, unless the defect is hidden.
Does the insurance cover the master's intentional faults?
The insurer is not liable for damage arising from intentional faults by the master.
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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.