Article 364 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 364 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الأول: القطر البحري
The article gives management of towage outside ports to the tug's master, whose operator answers for damages unless he proves the fault of the towed ship; by written agreement it may go to the towed ship's master, whose operator then answers.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تكون إدارة عملية القطر خارج حدود الموانئ لربان السفينة القاطرة، ويسأل مجهز السفينة القاطرة عن جميع الأضرار التي قد تحدث أثناء عملية القطر، إلاَّ إذا أثبت أن الضرر نشأ عن خطأ السفينة المقطورة.
2- يجوز باتفاق كتابي ترك عملية القطر خارج حدود الموانئ لربان السفينة المقطورة، وفي هذه الحالة يسأل مجهز السفينة المقطورة عن الأضرار التي تحدث أثناء عملية القطر.
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 364 explained in plain English
This article regulates the towage operation outside port limits, and it reverses the rule established inside them:
The rule (paragraph 1):
- Management of the towage is for the master of the towing ship.
- The operator of the towing ship answers for all damages that may occur during the towage, unless he proves that the damage arose from the fault of the towed ship.
The exception by written agreement (paragraph 2):
- It is permitted, by written agreement, to leave the towage operation to the master of the towed ship.
- In that case the operator of the towed ship answers for the damages that occur during the towage.
The comparison between inside and outside ports:
- Inside ports (Article 363): management by default is for the towed ship.
- Outside ports (this article): management by default is for the tug.
In both cases the default may be changed by written agreement, and responsibility follows the party that manages the operation. Note that the exemption in paragraph 1 requires proving the fault of the towed ship. Article 365 provides that towage services are performed under a contract between the master or operator of the towing ship and the master or operator of the towed ship.
Practical example
A ship's engine fails in the middle of the Red Sea, and a tug is sent to tow it to the port of Yanbu. Management is for the tug's master, and its operator answers for towage damages, unless he proves that the damage arose from the fault of the towed ship.
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 364 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Who manages the towage operation outside the port?
The master of the towing ship, unless it is agreed in writing to leave the operation to the master of the towed ship.
Who answers for towage damages at sea?
The operator of the towing ship for all damages, unless he proves that the damage arose from the fault of the towed ship. If management passes by written agreement to the towed ship, its operator answers.
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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
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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.