Article 391 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 391 من النظام البحري التجاري · الباب العاشر: العقوبات
The article provides that the Law takes effect one hundred and eighty days after its publication in the Official Gazette, and repeals Part Two of the Commercial Court Law, the Ports, Harbors and Lighthouses Law, and anything inconsistent with it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
عمل بالنظام بعد مائة وثمانين يوماً من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية, ويلغي الباب الثاني من نظام المحكمة التجارية, الصادر بالمرسوم الملكي رقم (32) وتاريخ 15 / 1 / 1350هـ, ونظام الموانئ والمرافئ والمنائر البحرية, الصادر بالمرسوم الملكي رقم (م / 27) وتاريخ 24 / 6 / 1394هـ, ويلغي كذلك كل ما يتعارض معه من أحكام.
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 391 explained in plain English
This article deals with two matters: when the Law takes effect and what it repeals.
1. Start of effect: the Commercial Maritime Law takes effect one hundred and eighty days after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. It does not apply directly from the date of its issue or publication, but after this period has passed.
2. Repeal: the Law repeals:
- Part Two of the Commercial Court Law, issued by Royal Decree No. (32) dated 15/1/1350 AH.
- The Ports, Harbors and Maritime Lighthouses Law, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/27) dated 24/6/1394 AH.
- Any provisions inconsistent with it.
These provisions are no longer in force to the extent the Law repealed them, and they are not referred to on matters the Commercial Maritime Law governs. The article does not set out the content of the repealed provisions.
The last repeal is general, so it covers any provision in another law that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Commercial Maritime Law, though the article does not name those provisions.
Article 390 provides that the President issues the Law's necessary regulations, in coordination with the relevant bodies, within one hundred and eighty days of its publication, which is the same period after which the Law takes effect. To know which law applies to an incident that occurred near the date of effect, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in maritime cases.
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 391 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
When does the Commercial Maritime Law take effect?
One hundred and eighty days after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Which laws did the Commercial Maritime Law repeal?
Part Two of the Commercial Court Law issued by Royal Decree No. (32) dated 15/1/1350 AH, the Ports, Harbors and Maritime Lighthouses Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/27) dated 24/6/1394 AH, and any provisions inconsistent with it.
More articles on Scope of the Maritime Law and Ship Nationality
- Article 1
Article 1 defines 39 terms on which the Commercial Maritime Law is built, such as the ship, operator, carrier, shipper, bill of lading, master, seaman, marine insurance, wreck and unit of account.
لأغراض هذا النظام, يقصد بالمصطلحات الآتية المعنى المبين أمام كل منها, ما لم يقتضِ السياق خلاف ذلك: 1- النظام: النظام البحري التجاري. 2- الوزير: وزير النقل، رئيس
- Article 2
Article 2 sets the scope of the Commercial Maritime Law: Saudi ships and foreign ships anchored in the Kingdom's ports or maritime zones, excluding warships and public service ships except for collision, salvage and general average.
تطبق أحكام هذا النظام على السفن السعودية, والسفن الأجنبية التي ترسو في موانئ المملكة أو مناطقها البحرية, وتستثنى من ذلك السفن الحربية, وسفن الخدمة العامة المخصص
- Article 3
Article 3 applies the rules on movable property to ships, subject to the provisions of the law, except the rule on acquiring movables by possession and anything covered by a special provision.
مع مراعاة الأحكام المنصوص عليها في النظام, تسري على السفينة أحكام المال المنقول عدا حكم تملكه بالحيازة, وما ورد في شأنه نص خاص.
- Article 4
Article 4 requires, for a ship to acquire Saudi nationality, registration in a Kingdom port and full ownership by a Saudi, or a Saudi majority of shares in co-ownership, and allows the Chairman to adjust the ownership percentage.
تكتسب السفينة الجنسية السعودية إذا كانت مسجلة في أحد موانئ المملكة، وكانت مملوكة بكاملها لشخص يتمتع بهذه الجنسية. وإذا كانت السفينة مملوكة على الشيوع اشترط أن ت
- Article 5
Article 5 requires every Saudi ship to fly the Kingdom's flag and permits flying another flag only where maritime custom allows, or to avoid certain danger or capture.
على كل سفينة سعودية أن ترفع علم المملكة, ولا يجوز لها أن ترفع علماً غيره إلاَّ في الحالات التي يجري فيها العرف البحري، أو إذا كان الغرض هو تجنب الوقوع في خطر مح
- Article 6
Article 6 limits towing, pilotage, supply services in the Kingdom's maritime zones and coastal transport between its ports to Saudi ships, and lets the Chairman exempt other ships by a license for a set period.
لا يجوز لغير السفن السعودية ممارسة نشاط القَطْر أو الإرشاد أو القيام بخدمات التموين في مناطق المملكة البحرية، ولا يجوز لها مزاولة أعمال النقل الساحلي بين موانئ
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.