Dubai Maritime City: the 249-hectare maritime cluster built around a ship-lift facility
Dubai Maritime City (DMC) is the UAE's only purpose-built maritime free zone. Sitting on the Mina Rashid peninsula between Port Rashid and Drydocks World, it spans 249 hectares of dedicated marine real estate, hosts one of the region's largest ship-lift facilities (3,000 t and 6,000 t lifts handling up to 1,000 vessels a year), and is regulated by the Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA) under PCFC. Maritime licenses start from AED 25,000, with 100% foreign ownership and a setup window of 10 to 15 working days.
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Why DMC is the only address for serious maritime operators in Dubai
Dubai Maritime City was conceived in the early 2000s as a single-vertical free zone for the marine industry. Built on a reclaimed peninsula off Mina Rashid, it consolidates ship repair, yacht services, naval engineering, maritime education and marine equipment trading inside one master-planned 249-hectare cluster. The zone is regulated by the Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA), the maritime regulator of the Emirate, operating under the umbrella of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC).
Originally developed by PCFC, the asset was acquired by DP World in 2017 for USD 405 million (including Drydocks World), placing the entire Mina Rashid maritime corridor under a single operator. The result is a free zone where the regulator, the port authority and the operator are aligned. Vessels can move from a DP World quay to a DMC dry berth to a Drydocks World graving dock without leaving the perimeter, which is something no other Dubai free zone can offer to marine businesses.
What you can operate under a Dubai Maritime City license
DMC is sector-specific. Every license must tie back to a maritime activity. Five clusters cover the vast majority of operators on site.
Ship repair & maintenance
Dry-docking, hull cleaning, engine overhaul, propeller and shaft works. Access to the 3,000 t and 6,000 t ship lifts, 42 dry berths and a 1,270 m wet berthing quay.
Yacht & superyacht services
Yacht refit, painting, interior fit-out, brokerage and crew management. The marina-side precinct hosts dedicated yacht workshops.
Maritime equipment trading
Marine engines, navigation electronics, safety equipment, paints and coatings, spare parts. Industrial and Trading licenses.
Naval architecture & engineering
Vessel design, classification consultancy, marine surveying, project management for newbuilds and conversions. Maritime Service license.
Maritime education & training
Crew training, simulator centres, classification society offices and marine research. DMC hosts the Australian College of Kuwait Maritime Academy and several IMO-recognised training providers.
What you actually get inside Dubai Maritime City
A DMC license is not just paperwork: it comes with direct access to deep-water berths and the ship-lift complex. The list of entitlements reflects that.
Direct access to the ship-lift facility (3,000 t and 6,000 t capacity, vessels up to 130 m).
1,270 m wet berthing quay and 42 dry berths for in-water and out-of-water works.
Dedicated industrial plot leases of 1,500 m² and upward for shipyards and workshops.
100% foreign ownership across all entity types, no UAE national partner required.
100% repatriation of capital and profits.
Co-location with Drydocks World, Mina Rashid and the wider PCFC maritime ecosystem.
Visa quota scaled to the office or plot footprint, from 2 visas on a smart-desk upwards.
PCFC-managed gate-pass system for staff, contractors and vessel crew.
Customs-bonded perimeter, suitable for storage of imported marine parts and equipment.
Single regulator (DMA) for licensing, vessel registration and operational permits.
Pick the DMC license that matches your maritime model
DMA issues three core license families, each tied to a defined list of maritime activities. The Maritime license covers most ship and yacht operators.
Most picked
Maritime
The core DMC license for ship repair, yacht services and marine operations.
- Ship repair, refit and maintenance activities
- Yacht and superyacht services
- Marine craft licence (newbuild and operation of vessels)
- Maritime operation services (waste, bunkering, supply)
- Access to ship-lift, berths and dry plots
Industrial
For marine manufacturing, assembly and fabrication.
- Shipbuilding and marine fabrication
- Engine and propeller assembly
- Marine paints and coatings production
- Plot lease from 1,500 m² with crane access
- Bonded warehousing on site
Service
For naval architects, surveyors, classification societies and consultancies.
- Naval architecture and marine engineering
- Marine surveying and classification
- Crew management and maritime training
- Smart-desk or fitted office address
- Lower visa quota, lower capex
Notable operators established at Dubai Maritime City
DMC hosts the heavyweights of the regional maritime sector. Engine OEMs, classification yards, safety specialists and turbo-machinery shops all share the Mina Rashid perimeter.
Marine engines
Wärtsilä
Finnish OEM for marine engines, propulsion systems and lifecycle services. Regional service hub at DMC.
Diesel
Goltens
Global diesel engine repair, in-situ machining and turbocharger specialist with a long-standing DMC workshop.
Shipyard
Drydocks World
DP World's flagship shipyard, immediate neighbour to DMC, handling new builds, conversions and major overhauls.
Repair
Albwardy Damen
Joint-venture ship repair yard between Albwardy Investment and the Dutch Damen group, operating from the DMC ship-lift precinct.
Construction
Grandweld Shipyards
Newbuild specialist for workboats, crew boats and aluminium fast-craft, with a dedicated DMC fabrication facility.
Safety
Viking Life-Saving
Danish marine safety leader: liferafts, immersion suits and servicing. Regional centre based at DMC.
Construction
Dubai Ship Building
Local shipbuilder specialising in patrol, pilot and commercial workboats for regional fleet operators.
Turbo
Gulf Turbo Repair
Turbocharger overhaul and balancing workshop serving merchant fleets transiting the Arabian Gulf.
On the Mina Rashid peninsula, next to the Dubai Cruise Terminal
DMC occupies a reclaimed peninsula off Mina Rashid in the historic heart of Dubai, between Port Rashid (cruise and ferry) and Drydocks World. The address gives you deep water on three sides.
- 10 min to Downtown Dubai and DIFC
- 15 min to DXB International Airport
- Adjacent to the Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal at Mina Rashid
- Direct quay-side connection to Drydocks World and DP World Mina Rashid
Ship-lift facility
3,000 t and 6,000 t lifts, vessels to 130 m
Dry & wet berths
42 dry berths, 1,270 m wet quay
Marina district
Yacht workshops & superyacht refit bays
Maritime Centre
DMA offices, training academies, on-site clinics
How we incorporate your Dubai Maritime City company in 10–15 working days
Six steps from first call to issued license. Plot and ship-lift access negotiations add 1–2 weeks on industrial files.
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Scope the maritime activity
We map your business to the DMA activity list (Maritime, Industrial or Service) and confirm the right entity form.
Pick the legal form
FZCO, FZE or branch of a foreign maritime group. We recommend based on shareholder count and the operational footprint required (desk, office or plot).
Reserve trade name & secure space
We submit name approval to DMA and negotiate the office or plot lease: smart-desk, fitted office, or industrial plot with crane access.
KYC, security clearance & docs
You send passports, address proofs and corporate documents. DMC adds a PCFC security clearance step for personnel accessing the gated perimeter.
Sign the MoA & lease
The Memorandum of Association is signed (electronically or in person) and the lease is countersigned with DMA leasing.
Pay & receive license
Final invoice settled, DMA issues the trade license, establishment card and PCFC gate passes within 10–15 working days.
Four realities first-time maritime founders miss
Setup timeline
Service-license files clear in 10–15 working days. Industrial files involving plot leases or ship-lift slots can take 4–6 weeks because DMA leasing and Drydocks World coordination add a layer.
Office & plot requirements
A smart-desk address is accepted for Service licenses (2 visa quota). Maritime and Industrial operators typically need a fitted office or an industrial plot. Plot leases start at 1,500 m² and ship-lift access is allocated by slot, so substance is not optional here.
Corporate tax 9% trigger
UAE corporate tax applies at 9% on net profit above AED 375,000. Qualifying free-zone income (international ship management, marine services to non-resident principals) can stay at 0% if economic substance is demonstrated inside DMC.
Sector permits beyond DMA
Some activities trigger second-line permits: vessel classification (DNV, LR, ABS), Federal Transport Authority (FTA) for flagging UAE vessels, and waste handling permits from Dubai Municipality. We sequence those alongside the trade license.
What's inside our Dubai Maritime City all-in-one package
One transparent fee covers company formation, residence visa and UAE banking, tuned to the maritime sector. From AED 38,000: 1 year Service license, 1 visa, smart-desk address at the DMC Maritime Centre. Industrial files quoted on plot footprint and ship-lift access.
Company formation
- Trade name reservation with DMA
- License issuance (Maritime, Industrial or Service)
- Memorandum of Association drafting + signature
- Smart-desk or fitted-office lease at DMC Maritime Centre
- Establishment card & PCFC gate-pass enrolment
- Corporate Tax registration & initial compliance filing
- Up to 3 maritime activities included
Residence visa
- Entry permit issuance
- Medical fitness test coordination
- Emirates ID application & biometrics
- Visa stamping inside passport
- Status change inside the UAE
- Valid 2 years, renewable
Banking
- Business and personal account introductions
- Document pack prepared to bank-ready standard
- Follow-up support until account is opened
- Backup option with a UAE digital bank
DIY vs working with us
On your own
Compare 45+ providers
Rules, prices and procedures all over the place
Check trade-name availability
Submit the request and wait for approval
Fill admin forms & files
Errors = delays or fines
Gather supporting documents
Missing or incorrect = rejection or fines
Chase extra approvals
Miss one and you trigger penalties or delays
Shop prices and locations
Hidden costs likely
Handle the payments
Procedural errors = fines or delays
Run the visa process
Strict steps and timelines, fine risk
Shop UAE banks cold
High rejection risk
Track compliance yourself
VAT & renewals → penalties if missed
Time sink
Stress, errors, financial risk
Recommended
With us
An optimal structure
Tailored to your goals
Trade name reserved
Fast and approved
Dedicated personal support
By your side at every step
Compliant, validated file
Optimised to pass first time
Easier networking
Targeted introductions
Optimised investment
No unnecessary costs
End-to-end support
Fast and stress-free
Single point of contact
Clear, personalised follow-up
Bank account opening
Fast and simplified
Zero stress, total peace of mind
We look after everything
100% business focus
We handle the rest
Teams we've set up at Dubai Maritime City
"The process isn't finished yet, but so far, everything is going well! Thanks to Akhil for his help during the various appointments; he was always there and welcoming."
"When I decided to start my business in Dubai, my primary concern was finding trustworthy people capable of handling all the necessary steps professionally. Thanks to Ga Nui and Malik's support, I was able to move forward with confidence and dedicate all my energy to developing my business, without worrying about the administrative aspects. I wholeheartedly recommend Ga Nui and Malik for their professionalism, availability, and the quality of their support."
"Highly recommend this company for setting up your business in Dubai. The entire process was smooth and professional. Special thanks to Akhil who made sure the medical examination and fingerprinting went perfectly, and to Laura for her outstanding support throughout the entire procedure. Great team!"
Dubai Maritime City: frequently asked questions
DMA-issued packages typically sit in a AED 25,000 to 80,000 band, driven by license family and physical footprint.
- Service license, smart-desk, 2 visas: from AED 25,000
- Maritime license, fitted office, 4–6 visas: AED 40,000–55,000
- Industrial license, plot lease 1,500 m²+: AED 60,000–80,000 (plus annual plot rent)
Ship-lift slot allocation and bonded-warehousing fees are quoted separately based on tonnage and dwell time.
The names are similar but the zones are unrelated. Dubai Maritime City (DMC) is a sector-specific maritime free zone on Mina Rashid, regulated by the DMA under PCFC, built for ship repair, yachts and marine services. Dubai Media City is a TECOM media free zone in Al Sufouh, built for broadcasters, agencies and content creators.
If you are setting up a shipyard, a yacht service company or a marine surveyor, you want DMC. If you are setting up a production house or a PR agency, you want Dubai Media City.
Yes, but access is allocated by slot. The two lifts (3,000 t and 6,000 t, accommodating vessels up to 130 m) and the 42 dry berths handle up to 1,000 vessels a year following the 2024 upgrade. We coordinate the slot booking with DMA leasing as part of the setup, especially for newbuild and refit yards.
The quota is tied to the office footprint:
- Smart-desk: 2 visas
- Fitted office (15 m²+): 1 visa per 9 m² of office, typically 4–8 visas
- Industrial plot (1,500 m²+): scaled to the operational headcount declared in the lease
Crew working aboard repaired vessels are usually sponsored under the vessel owner, not the DMC entity.
Service license incorporation can be largely remote (e-signed MoA, courier of original passport copies). Industrial files almost always require an on-site visit: the plot inspection, PCFC security clearance and DMA leasing meeting are easier in person. Plan a 5 to 7 day trip if a plot or ship-lift slot is in scope.
All three sit on the same Mina Rashid peninsula under DP World since the 2017 acquisition. DMC issues the trade license and hosts the workshops; Drydocks World operates the graving docks for capital ship work; Mina Rashid handles cruise, ferry and general port operations. A DMC-licensed operator can subcontract to Drydocks World without crossing a free-zone boundary.
Other free zones worth considering
Each free zone serves a different model. If Dubai Maritime City isn't quite the right fit, these are the closest alternatives.
Book your free 30-minute consultation
We'll tell you within 30 minutes whether Dubai Maritime City is the right free zone for your maritime model, and if it isn't, which one is.
