Issuing marine Anchorage permits in Dubai waters.

The Authority shall issue anchorage permits for vessels applying for anchorage permits in the waters of the Emirate before or upon the arrival of the vessel, specifying the anchorage period and its purpose.

Shipping agents, ship owners , ship captains

24 hours through DMCA operation email (operations@dmca.ae) or through DMCA e-services portal (https://eservices.dmca.ae) or Smart DMCA mobile app.

Please refer to this online anchorage application submission guide for more details on creating your application.

From Anchorage approval date to actual departure date .

PERMIT ISSUANCE STAGES:

The vessel`s shipping agent or the captain shall apply at DMCA for vessel anchorage permit in the emirate's waters before or on arrival of the vessel, stating anchorage duration and purpose.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Anchorage application form MO-FRM-012

After receiving and reviewing, all documents, and if meeting DMCA requirements, vessel anchorage e-permit shall be issued allocating the suitable anchorage area.

DMCA, upon its discretion, shall have the right to:

Reject the anchorage application or cancel previous approvals related to such application or any other operations.

Change anchorage area to ensure safety of navigation, and environment protection.

DMCA inspectors shall have the right to visit the site in order to ensure its compliance with safety standards and marine rules.

The shipping agent shall notify DMCA of vessel time of departure from anchorage area, and pay all required fees.

ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS

1. Anchorage in the emirate's waters without obtaining the required approvals from DMCA and the maritime competent authorities in the emirate shall be prohibited.

2. Any marine operation in the emirate's waters without obtaining approval form DMCA shall be prohibited.

3. Vessel drifting without anchoring in the emirate's waters is not permitted unless under emergency, provided that DMCA shall be notified of the reasons.

4. Single-hull tankers shall not anchor in the emirate's waters regardless of their size.

5. Without prejudice to the requirements provided in this resolution, the captain of the vessel shall have full authority to take suitable decisions regarding anchorage in the emirate's waters upon existence of any threat to safety, environmental or maritime traffic, provided that DMCA shall be reported to on the reasons of such decisions.

None of the below marine operations shall be carried out during vessel anchorage in the emirate's waters unless prior approval has been obtained from DMCA. These operations include, without limitation, the following:

1. Underwater diving and underwater maintenance.

2. Hull Painting.

3. Oil, Gas and chemical tankers` cargo tanks venting, Inerting.

4. Washing tanks of oil tankers.

5. Mixing oil products.

6. Life Boat & rescue boats drills

7. Changing ship details.

8. Discharging of untreated sewage water.

9. Washing vessel with sea or fresh water.

10. Maintaining vessels main engines.

11. Hot work.

12. Bunkering, lightering, Ship to Ship.

13. Ballasting/ De ballasting

14. Changing anchorage area.

ANCHORING RULES

The captain/shipping agent of the vessel shall comply, during anchorage period, with the following rules:

1. Turn on the Automatic Identification System ("AIS") of the vessel at all times.

2. Length of anchor chain underwater shall not be less than seven (7) shackles.

3. Provide DMCA with daily noon report on the condition of the anchored vessel.

4. Notify DMCA via email upon the vessel departure from the anchorage area.

5. Pay all financial entitlements due to DMCA within one month from issuance of invoice

HSE OBLIGATIONS:

The captain of the vessel shall comply with the following HSE requirements during anchorage period:

1. Local and federal legislations, IMO and ILO international conventions related to health and safety, DMCA instructions issued in this regard.

2. Implementing best practices and standards of maritime safety on the vessel during anchorage period, applying safety management regulations in the investigation of accidents and informing DMCA and port authorities immediately, on occurrence of any accidents on the vessel.

3. Notify DMCA on any damage or spoilage to the vessel's body, operation equipment or safety tools or anything that may affect the technical condition of the vessel and its seaworthiness.

4. Inform DMCA directly about any marine pollution accident of whatever degree, whether resulting from the vessel itself, other vessels or any other source.

5. Document all operations related to safety and environment on the vessel by following the procedures referred to in safety management regulations adopted by the operating company.

Obtain prior approval from DMCA before carrying out any marine operations.

The vessel captain shall be fully responsible for indemnity against all claims related to marine pollution resulting from:

1. Any action from him or any member of the crew allowing pumping oil or causing its discharge into the sea.

2. Any negligence by him or any member of the crew or the contracted companies while operating on the vessel that may have caused marine pollution.

3. Poor technical condition of the vessel, failure to conduct the required maintenance and unseaworthiness.

Please refer to this online anchorage application submission guide for more details on creating your application.

NA.

Payment can be made either in cash or through the banking network for foreign establishments/ companies at DMCA Customer Service Centers or through online payment

24 hours through DMCA operation email (operations@dmca.ae)

24 hours through DMCA e-services portal (https://eservices.dmca.ae) or Smart DMCA mobile app.

Processing time varies depending on the procedure and type of submitted application.

All our customers’ inquiries shall be handled at the same time, or within a period that does not exceed (48) hours in case the request is needed to be addressed to another division.