In brief
Governs ships, their registration, ownership and rights over them, maritime employment, charter, carriage of goods and passengers by sea, maritime incidents and marine insurance, in 391 articles.
Summary of the law
Key deadlines
- Objection to a ship's registration within 90 days of publication of the registration record (Article 14).
- Claims for hidden defects in a ship are not heard a year after the defect became known (Article 34); carriage and insurance have their own periods.
A plain-language summary prepared by Al-Bayan Al-Wadih Law Firm, focused on the violations and problems that come up most in daily life. It is not a substitute for the official text or for legal advice.
What it covers
- Ship registration and ownership
- Charter and carriage by sea
- Maritime incidents
- Marine insurance
Timeline
- Issued: Royal Decree M/33 · 5/4/1440H
Full record of amendments and regulations at the official source
Official text at the Bureau of Experts
The authoritative text is in Arabic; the Bureau of Experts publishes English translations for some laws.
Full official text
The full official text is in Arabic and is reproduced on the Arabic version of this page, as published by the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers. Read the full Arabic text
Library content is simplified general information for awareness only. It is not legal advice and does not replace the official text. Laws change: always check the official source and consult a lawyer before acting. Library data last reviewed: .