Dubai free zone profile
Dubai Maritime City
A purpose-built peninsula for the maritime industry. Located in Between Port Rashid and Dubai Drydocks.
From
AED 15,000
Setup
1 to 2 weeks
Ownership
100% foreign
Visas
Scales with premises
About Maritime City
Dubai Maritime City occupies a man-made peninsula between Port Rashid and the Drydocks, and it is the only UAE free zone built specifically for the maritime economy. Ship managers, marine surveyors, yacht brokers, chandlers and naval architects make up the tenant list.
The industrial precinct offers workshops and yards with direct water access, while the commercial cluster houses offices for the professional side of the industry. Dubai's position on the East-West shipping lane, plus the superyacht traffic that winters in the Gulf, keeps the addressable market deep.
If your work touches vessels, from crewing to coatings, this zone puts you next to the docks, the port authority and your clients.
Licence types at Maritime City
- Maritime service licence. Ship management, surveying, crewing and consultancy.
- Trading licence. Marine equipment, spares and chandlery.
- Industrial licence. Boat building, repair and marine manufacturing.
Offices and facilities
- Offices in the commercial precinct
- Workshops
- Waterfront industrial plots
What Maritime City costs
Indicative first-year cost for a service licence. Industrial facilities quoted separately. Budget from AED 15,000 for the first year, then add visa allocations, medicals and Emirates ID per person, and workspace if you upgrade beyond the entry package. Renewals typically come in below year-one totals. Our costs page breaks down every line item, and your written quote fixes the numbers before you pay.
Questions
Maritime City questions, answered
Do I need a maritime background to licence here?
The activity should relate to the maritime sector, but the definition is broad: logistics, trading in marine goods, consulting to shipping lines and yacht-adjacent services all qualify.
Can I berth or work on vessels in the zone?
The industrial precinct offers water access and yard space for repair and building work. Berthing arrangements run through the adjacent port facilities, and we can scope requirements with the authority.
Is Dubai Maritime City good for yacht brokerage?
Yes. The Gulf superyacht market has grown quickly, Port Rashid's marina hosts significant vessels, and a DMC licence signals sector credibility to buyers and owners.
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