This Regulation aims to establish the regulatory frameworks for issuing maritime navigation licenses for vessels flying the Saudi flag and foreign vessels operating in the maritime areas of the Kingdom, as well as for foreign recreational vessels present in the maritime areas of the Kingdom, and work licenses for marine units. It also specifies the safety requirements for recreational vessels intended for private use and for recreational and fishing boats to obtain the maritime license/work license.

1- Without prejudice to the laws, regulations, and agreements in force in the Kingdom, the provisions of this Regulation shall apply to the following ships and units:

• A- Saudi ships.

• B- Marine units.

• C- Foreign ships operating in the maritime areas of the Kingdom.

• D- Foreign recreational boats.

2- The following ships and units are exempt from the provisions of this Regulation:

• A- Visiting ships.

• B- Warships.

• C- Sailing ships that are less than 6 meters in length and do not exceed a sailing area of 5 nautical miles from the shore.

• D- Non-motorized rowing units.

• E- Jet skis that do not exceed a usage area of 2 nautical miles from the shore.

1- The navigation license is issued in accordance with the provisions of this regulation as follows:

• A- A navigation license for the Saudi ship according to the desired sailing area upon submitting the claim, which can be either coastal or international.

• B- A navigation license for the foreign ship operating in the maritime areas of the Kingdom according to the desired working area upon submitting the claim for the navigation license, which is specified either in the Red Sea or the Arabian Gulf.

2- A navigation license for the foreign recreational vessel used for non-commercial purposes to allow it to sail in the maritime areas of the Kingdom according to the desired sailing area upon submitting the claim.

3- A work license is issued in accordance with the provisions of this regulation for marine units.

1- The following conditions must be met for a Saudi ship to obtain a navigation license:

• A- The ship must possess all certificates and reports related to safety, security, and marine environmental protection, as well as the qualification of sailors, according to a guide issued by a decision of the President, which specifies the required certificates based on the type of ship, nature of its cargo, and its sailing area.

• B- The ship must be seaworthy from a technical perspective and the crew must be qualified according to an inspection report issued by the maritime authority or its delegate.

• C- The following documents must be attached to the claim according to the prepared form:

  • 1- All mandatory certificates, documents, and reports based on the type of this ship and the nature of its cargo, valid according to the guide issued by a decision of the President.

  • 2- A comprehensive insurance document from Protection and Indemnity Clubs (P&I Clubs) or an accredited insurance company in the Kingdom covering the full civil liability of the insured arising from death, bodily injury, or property damage that may result from the ship.

  • 3- The ship's radio license (Ship station license).

  • 4- A recent photograph not older than thirty days from the date of application clearly showing the ship's name and registration number.

  • 5- A valid certificate of the ship's passing the technical inspection issued by the maritime authority or its delegate, with a validity period not exceeding (15) fifteen days from the date of application.

2- The following conditions must be met for a foreign ship to obtain a navigation license:

• A- The ship must be seaworthy from a technical perspective and the crew must be qualified.

• B- All certificates related to safety, security, and marine environmental protection, as well as the qualification of sailors, must be on board the ship, imposed in accordance with the agreements and international codes applicable in the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council regulations for ships not subject to the international agreement.

• C- The age of the ship must not exceed (20) years if engaged in activities related to the transport of oil or goods or drilling, and must not exceed (15) years if engaged in passenger transport activities.

• D- The ship must be linked to operating contracts with licensed companies or one of the government entities in the Kingdom.

• E- If the safety or environmental protection certificates for the ship are issued by a country that is not a party to the Gulf Cooperation Council or if the classification authority is not accredited by one of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, it will be subject to the supervision, evaluation, and requirements of the maritime authority.

• F- The ship must have an accredited shipping agent in the Kingdom.

• G- Approval from the relevant authorities in the Kingdom (if necessary).

• H- The following documents must be attached to the claim according to the prepared form:

  • 1- The foreign ship's registration certificate issued by the flag state that holds the ship's nationality.

  • 2- A sequence of contracts concluded for this ship starting from the owner mentioned in the registration certificate to the contract concluded with the entity or party contracted with in the Kingdom.

  • 3- The customs declaration.

  • 4- All mandatory certificates and documents based on the type of this ship and the nature of its cargo, valid according to the guide issued by a decision of the President.

  • 5- A valid certificate of the foreign ship's passing the technical inspection and a recent report on the condition of the ship issued by the maritime authority or classification bodies accredited by it, with a validity period not exceeding (15) fifteen days from the date of application.

  • 6- A comprehensive insurance document from Protection and Indemnity Clubs (P&I Clubs) or an accredited insurance company in the Kingdom covering the full civil liability of the insured arising from death, bodily injury, or property damage that may result from the foreign ship.

  • 7- A radio license (Ship station license) valid and issued by the flag state of the ship.

  • 8- An entry permit for one of the Saudi ports.

  • 9- A list of the ship's crew according to the approved form in Appendix No. (1).

  • 10- A recent photograph not older than one month clearly showing the ship's name and its number with the organization.

  • 11- A contract with an accredited shipping agent within the Kingdom.

3- To obtain a navigation license for foreign recreational ships in the maritime areas of the Kingdom, the following documents must be attached to the claim according to the prepared form:

• A- Owner/lessee data including (name, nationality, contact numbers, email, and address), in case the navigation license application is submitted through a shipping agent.

• B- The ship's registration certificate.

• C- Disclosure of the scope of the trip (sailing areas for the trip – duration of stay).

• D- A list of crew members and passengers.

• E- Classification certificate or general inspection report.

• F- The ship's radio license (Ship station license).

• G- A comprehensive insurance document covering the full civil liability of the insured and the insurance company arising from death, bodily injury, or property damage that may result from the ship.

• H- A contract with an accredited shipping agent within the Kingdom.

Attach the following documents with the claim according to the prepared form:

• 1- All mandatory certificates and documents based on the type of this marine unit and the nature of its cargo, and they must be valid according to a guide issued by a decision from the President, which clarifies the certificates and documents required based on the type of ship and the nature of its cargo.

• 2- An insurance document covering the full civil liability of the insured arising from death, bodily injury, or material damages that may result from the marine unit.

• 3- A ship station license for the marine unit.

• 4- A recent photograph not older than thirty days from the date of submission clearly showing the name of the unit and its number with the organization - if available -.

• 5- A valid certificate of the marine unit's passing of the technical inspection issued by the maritime authority or its delegate, with the issuance period not exceeding (15) fifteen days from the date of submitting the claim.

The maritime license / work permit for ships or marine units is issued by the maritime authority, taking into account the conditions stated in this regulation, after a claim is submitted by the ship or marine unit operator, and following the procedures below:

• 1- Submit a claim for the maritime license or work permit through the channels approved by the authority.

• 2- Fill in the data electronically via the platform approved on the authority's website, and attach all required certificates and documents in accordance with this regulation.

• 3- Pay any outstanding financial penalties and fees, if applicable.

1- The navigation license for the Saudi ship or the foreign ship shall be issued for a maximum period of one year from the date of issuance, provided that the validity period of the license does not exceed the expiration date of any of the required certificates or documents.

2- The navigation license for foreign recreational vessels shall be issued for a maximum period of six months from the date of issuance, provided that the validity period of the license does not exceed the expiration date of any of the required certificates or documents.

3- The work license for the marine unit shall be issued for a maximum period of one year from the date of issuance, provided that the validity period of the work license does not exceed the expiration date of any of the required certificates or documents.

Subject to the conditions of the maritime License set forth in this Regulation, the maritime License for the vessel shall be renewed upon the request of the operator after the payment of any financial dues - if any - for a similar duration, in accordance with the following controls:

• 1- Submission of the renewal request and fulfillment of all its conditions during the period preceding the expiration date of the License by (60) days, otherwise the request shall be considered canceled.

• 2- The age of the foreign vessel transporting oil or goods or engaged in drilling operations must not exceed (20) years from the date of manufacture, and (15) years for passenger transport vessels.

• 3- The vessel is not permitted to operate or sail after the expiration date of the maritime License.