Article 367 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 367 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الأول: القطر البحري
The article provides that a claim arising from the towage operation is not heard after two years from the date the operation ended.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تسمع الدعوى الناشئة عن عملية القطر بعد مضي سنتين من تاريخ انتهاء العملية.
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 367 explained in plain English
This article sets the period for hearing claims arising from the towage operation:
- The period: two years.
- Start of counting: from the date the operation ended, not from its beginning or from the date the damage occurred.
- The effect: the claim is not heard after this period has passed.
The phrase claim arising from the towage operation is general, so on its face it covers claims concerning liability for damages occurring during towage, such as a claim by the towed ship against the tug under Article 366, and other claims arising from the operation.
The article does not address grounds for suspending or interrupting the period.
Article 366 provides that the towing ship is responsible for damage to the towed ship except in cases of force majeure, an unforeseen event, a cause attributable to the towed ship, or the fault of its operator, master or crew. Article 368 moves on to pilotage, making it compulsory in the Kingdom's ports for all ships with specified exceptions. To calculate the period in a particular case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime cases.
Practical example
The operation of towing a ship to the port of Dammam ended on 10 Sha'ban, and its owner later discovered damage that occurred to it during the towage. He must file his claim within two years of 10 Sha'ban, otherwise it will not be heard.
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 367 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
How long do I have to file a claim arising from maritime towage?
A claim arising from the towage operation is not heard after two years from the date the operation ended.
When does the period start?
From the date the towage operation ended.
More articles on Marine Pollution, Towage and Pilotage
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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
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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
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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
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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.