Article 361 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 361 من النظام البحري التجاري · الباب الثامن: منع التلوث البحري ومكافحته
The article requires ships flying the Kingdom's flag to carry an emergency plan for pollution incidents by oil and toxic and hazardous substances, and to notify the competent body of such incidents, as the regulations specify.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يتعين على السفن التي ترفع علم المملكة أن تحمل على متنها خطة طوارئ لحوادث التلوث بالزيت والمواد السامة والخطرة، ويتعين عليها كذلك إبلاغ الجهة المختصة بهذه الحوادث عند وقوعها, وفقاً لما تحدده اللوائح.
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 361 explained in plain English
This article places two obligations on ships flying the Kingdom's flag:
- Emergency plan: to carry on board an emergency plan for pollution incidents by:
- oil,
- toxic substances,
- and hazardous substances.
- Notification: to notify the competent body of these incidents when they occur.
Both obligations are as the regulations specify, so the article does not state the content of the plan or the method and time limit for notification; these are found in the Implementing Regulations of the Law.
Note that the text defines those addressed as ships flying the Kingdom's flag. Its subject also extends to toxic and hazardous substances alongside oil. Under Article 1, oil includes crude petroleum, fuel oil, heavy diesel oil, lubricating oil and other petroleum derivatives.
Article 360 requires barges and fuel-carrying ships in the Kingdom's ports and territorial waters to keep a special record of their operations, while Article 362 provides for notifying the International Maritime Organization of any violation committed by ships in the Kingdom's ports and maritime areas. Operators of Saudi ships may consult a lawyer specialized in maritime cases to learn the regulations' requirements.
Practical example
A company in Jeddah operates a chemical tanker flying the Kingdom's flag. The tanker must carry an emergency plan for pollution incidents by oil and toxic and hazardous substances, and if a pollution incident occurs it must notify the competent body as the regulations specify.
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 361 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Must Saudi ships carry a pollution emergency plan?
Yes, ships flying the Kingdom's flag must carry on board an emergency plan for pollution incidents by oil and toxic and hazardous substances.
Must pollution incidents be reported?
Yes, they must notify the competent body of these incidents when they occur, as the regulations specify.
More articles on Marine Pollution, Towage and Pilotage
- Article 103
The master must personally command the ship when entering and leaving ports, passing through waterways and whenever special obstacles confront navigation, even if he is obliged to use a pilot.
على الربان أن يتولى بنفسه قيادة السفينة عند دخولها الموانئ، أو خروجها منها أو أثناء اجتياز الممرات البحرية، وكذلك في جميع الأحوال التي تعترض الملاحة عقبات خاصة،
- Article 255
The Article provides that the liability set out in the collision chapter also arises if the collision occurs through the pilot's fault, even if pilotage is compulsory, without prejudice to the general rules of liability.
تترتب المسؤولية المنصوص عليها في هذا الفصل, إذا وقع التصادم بخطأ المرشد، ولو كان الإرشاد إجباريًّا، وذلك مع عدم الإخلال بالقواعد العامة في المسؤولية.
- Article 261
The Article provides for a salvage reward when there is a useful result, not exceeding the value of what was saved, reasonable expenses when there is none, and special compensation for saving a ship threatening the marine environment.
1- كل عمل من أعمال الإنقاذ البحري يعطي الحق في مكافأة بشرط أن يؤدي إلى نتيجة مفيدة، ولا يجوز أن تتجاوز المكافأة قيمة ما أُنقذ. 2- إذا لم تؤدِّ أعمال الإنقاذ إلى
- Article 264
The Article sets three cases where no salvage reward or related expenses are due: express reasonable refusal by the ship, salvage of mail, and a tug's assistance to the ship in tow except for exceptional services.
لا تستحق أي مكافأة للإنقاذ البحري أو النفقات التابعة له في الحالات الآتية: 1- إذا كانت السفينة التي قدمت لها أعمال الإنقاذ البحري قد رفضت تدخل السفينة المقدمة ل
- Article 291
The article requires the competent authority, on a written request from any state, to investigate any violation of the international pollution prevention rules allegedly committed by a Saudi ship in that state's maritime zones, and to notify it of the result.
تجري الجهة المختصة تحقيقاً بناء على طلب مكتوب من أي دولة, في أي مخالفة للقواعد الدولية المطبقة من أجل منع تلوث البيئة البحرية يدَّعى أن سفينة سعودية ارتكبتها في
- Article 346
The article requires ships carrying oil from or to the Kingdom to carry a civil liability insurance certificate covering liability for any damage arising from the carriage.
تلتزم السفن التي تنقل الزيت من المملكة أو إليها بحمل شهادة تأمين المسؤولية المدنية؛ لتغطية ما قد ينشأ من مسؤولية عن أي ضرر ناشئ عن عملية النقل.
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.