Article 339 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 339 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: التأمين على السفينة
The article applies the provisions of the chapter on ship insurance to an insurance contract limited to the period the ship is in a port, anchorage, dry dock or any other place.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تسري أحكام هذا الفصل على عقد التأمين الذي يقتصر على مدة وجود السفينة في ميناء أو مرسى أو حوض جافٍ أو أي مكان آخر.
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 339 explained in plain English
This article extends the scope of the provisions of the chapter on ship insurance to include a special form of insurance, namely insurance limited to the period the ship is in:
- A port, or
- An anchorage, or
- A dry dock, or
- Any other place.
Ship insurance is not limited to periods of sailing. An owner may need to cover his ship while it lies at anchor for a long time, or during its maintenance in a dry dock. The article provides that this kind of insurance is subject to the same provisions that govern ship insurance in this chapter.
The phrase any other place means the rule is not limited to the places mentioned.
Among the related provisions in the neighboring articles is Article 338, which provides that insurance continues for the benefit of the new owner or the charterer if ownership of the ship is transferred or it is let without being equipped, on condition that the insurer is notified within fifteen days. Article 340 moves on to insurance on the ship's freight, limiting it to 60% of it if its being due in all cases is not stipulated, unless otherwise agreed.
Practical example
A company in Jeddah puts its ship in a dry dock for maintenance lasting three months, and concludes insurance that covers only this period. This insurance is subject to the provisions of the chapter on ship insurance in the Commercial Maritime Law.
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 339 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Can a ship be insured only while it is in port?
Yes. The provisions of the chapter on ship insurance apply to an insurance contract limited to the period the ship is in a port, anchorage, dry dock or any other place.
Does this include the ship during maintenance?
The article mentions the dry dock expressly and extends to any other place in which the insurance is limited to the ship's presence.
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.