Licensing maritime companies and establishments within the geographical boundaries of DMCA and Issuance of permits for practicing maritime activities in Dubai; including free zones and private development zones.

Through licensing maritime activities in the emirate of Dubai, DMCA aims at rationing and regulating the practice of such activities in all areas of Dubai to ensure that individuals and company owners meet all requirements related to maritime activities, regulations and laws applicable in Dubai.

• Individuals practicing marine sports or driving marine crafts.
• Company owners operating maritime activities in Dubai.

• Customer Happiness Centre – Dubai Maritime City Authority building “B”.
• Customer Happiness Centre – Al Shindagha area – Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) building

No data available

Marine Craft Inspection Facility Licensing

Through licensing marine crafts inspection facilities, DMCA aims to inspect small cargo marine crafts of no classification by international classification institutions, to measure their cargo and dimensions in accordance with the internationally adopted measurement systems, and assess its hull and motors, define safety and firefighting equipment, as well as navigational, communication and anti-pollution equipment, then issue permits to practice one or more of the following activities:

1. Follow up on the marine craft registration and licensing procedures with DMCA.
2. Follow up on the marine craft crew licenses with DMCA.
3. Conduct technical inspection of marine crafts as determined by DMCA.
4. Prepare comprehensive report on the marine craft condition for registration and licensing.
5. Provide marine crafts with tools and equipment necessary for operating or safe sailing them.
6. Prepare the balance manual for marine crafts as determined by DMCA.

Maritime Inspection Report

The inspection report is for registration and licensing purposes and shall include, without limitation, the marine craft condition in terms of:

1. Details of marine craft and crew.
2. Soundness of marine craft hull and motors.
3. Soundness of navigational and communication equipment.
4. Soundness of safety and rescue equipment
5. Soundness of fire detection and firefighting equipment.
6. Any other equipment requested by DMCA.

Stages of Permit Issuance:

Upon meeting all requirements, the permit for the marine craft inspection facility shall be issued in two stages:

1. Submittal of all required documents for initial approval.
2. Booking an appointment for site visit and paying the set fees for license issuance.

First Stage: initial approval

Upon reviewing the application, the initial approval for the activity will be issued, and facility owner shall be allowed to complete licensing procedures once he presents an undertaking to refrain from actual practice of the activity until all requirements have been met.

Required Documents:

1. Copy of Emirates ID card and passport for UAE nationals, and copy of Emirates ID card, passport and valid residence visa for expatriates providing that the applicant is not less than (22) years old.
2. Copy of initial approval from Department of Economic Development or Free Zone Authorities to practice the activity in the emirate.
3. acility location, specifications and equipment along with statement of activities the facility wishes to practice.
4. A statement that includes names, qualifications and experience of the facility employees as well as scientific, professional and maritime certificates.
5. Copy of the organisational structure of the facility and its branches, (if any).

Upon reviewing all submitted documents, DMCA shall issue the initial approval for practicing the activity if all conditions have been satisfied, and allow facility owner to complete commercial licensing procedures with the competent authorities in the emirate.

Second Stage: final approval

The owner shall notify DMCA upon completion of procedures required to practice the activity in no more than one year from initial approval issuance date, in order for DMCA employees to conduct a site visit for inspection, so that they can make sure the facility is ready and competent for operation. In case all license requirements have been fully met, DMCA shall issues the final approval allowing the facility to practice the activity, as well as the license in coordination with the competent authorities.

Maritime Inspection Report Requirements:

1. Provide not less than two maritime inspectors; one with a maritime engineering degree awhile the other holds a certificate in maritime navigation.
2. Provide not less than two administrators, depending on the volume of work conducted by the facility.
3. The facility shall have international quality certificate or undertake to obtain one within one year from date of licensing by DMCA.
4. List of rendered services including costs to be approved by DMCA.
5. Copy of technical reports to be used for marine craft inspection.

In case the applicant fails to satisfy all requirements for practicing the activity, or has not completed the shortfalls required within the deadline stated in this Article, the initial approval shall be cancelled, and DMCA shall notify the commercial licensing authorities to cancel the commercial license issued for inspecting the facility.

Obligations of Marine Craft Inspection Facilities

Licensed facilities shall adhere to the following:

1. Provide all equipment and devices required for maritime inspection operation.
2. Maritime crafts shall be provided only with certified safety equipment in accordance with international specifications.
3. Shall not hire any maritime inspector unless he holds the required maritime qualifications, has sufficient experience in this field and registered with DMCA.
4. Approve or use DMCA checklists for marine craft inspection.
5. Marine craft inspection copies along with the technical inspection report shall be documented on the same day of the inspection report.
6. Provide records that include all details pertaining to maritime inspection and keep them for not less than three (3) years. DMCA shall have the right to access or request copies of such records.

Maritime Inspectors Certification Requirements

Maritime inspectors shall be certified under the following:

1. To be fully competent and shall not be less than (22) twenty-two years old.
2. To hold certificate in maritime navigation or engineering.
3. To be familiar with laws and regulations valid in the emirate, as well as registration and licensing procedures along with the technical inspection requirements applicable by DMCA.
4. To have good conduct and with no previous conviction in a crime or felony involving moral turpitude or dishonesty.
5. To be medically fit.
6. To successfully pass all tests, training programs and interviews determined by DMCA.
7. To hold one of the following qualifications:

• Senior maritime captain or senior marine engineer certificate.
• First marine officer or second marine engineer certificate with no less than two years’ experience.
• Second marine officer or third marine engineer certificate with no less than three years’ experience.
• Bachelor degree in marine engineering with experience in ship repairing and no less than two years’ experience.
• Bachelor degree in mechanical engineering with experience in ship repairing and no less than two years’ experience.
• A credited certificate in marine surveying or marine safety with experience in in ship repairing or marine surveying of no less than two years.

• Department of Economic Development
• Free Zone Authorities and Private Development Zones

Payment can be made in cash to the Customer Service Centers of Dubai Maritime City Authority or through portal electronic payment gateway.

From Sunday to Thursday 08:00 am till 01:00 pm

The service is not available during official holidays determined by the country.

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.