Dubai business activities · 5012003
Sea Freight & Passengers Charters licence in Dubai (5012003): how to set up
Carrying cargo or passengers in chartered ships from Dubai falls under activity 5012003 (JAFZA 611007); confirm its exact scope with DET, and plan for federal rules on charter parties and on foreign ships trading between UAE ports.
Which licence covers sea freight and passenger charters in Dubai?
On Dubai’s mainland the activity is “Sea Freight & Passengers Charters”, code 5012003 — a professional activity on a business licence regulated, per Invest in Dubai, by PCFC. Its English description covers chartered ships on semi-regular trips while the Arabic one describes scheduled lines, so confirm the scope with DET.[1]
In Jebel Ali Free Zone the matching activity is “Sea Freight & Passengers Charters”, code 611007. Other free zones keep their own activity lists and codes — check that the zone you pick names the activity before you sign a lease.[2]
Which approvals does a sea freight charter business need?
Law No. (3) of 2023 renamed the Dubai Maritime City Authority the Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA) and empowers it to issue the approvals and permits required for companies working in the maritime sector and for maritime activities in Dubai. Ask DMA whether your activity needs its approval, and whether before or after the trade licence.[3]
Foreign-flagged ships may not carry out maritime carriage between UAE ports, or provide towing, piloting, supply and fuelling or other maritime services in UAE waters, without the Ministry’s approval (Maritime Law, Art. 15).[4]
A charter party must be in writing and state, among other things, the owner and charterer, the ship’s name, nationality, tonnage and IMO number, the freight and how it is calculated, and the loading and discharge places and times (Maritime Law, Art. 131).[4]
What are the steps and documents?
- Choose the route — Dubai mainland through the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), or a free zone that lists the activity — and the legal form.[5]
- Register the trade name and apply for initial approval.[5]
- Sign the memorandum of association and, where it applies, an attested local service agent agreement; lease premises — in Dubai the lease is registered on Ejari.[5]
- Submit the documents with any external approvals, pay the fees and collect the licence.[5]
- After the licence, register with Dubai Customs if goods will cross customs.[6]
How long does it take and what does it cost?
The licence fee depends on the authority and the package — mainland or free zone, premises and number of activities — so get a written quote from DET or the free zone. On the mainland the fee must be paid within 30 days of the payment voucher, or the application is cancelled.[5]
In JAFZA a licence can be renewed within three months before expiry, late renewal is fined AED 1,000, and the renewal guide asks for a no-objection letter from Dubai Maritime City for sea shipment, cargo and transportation activities.[7]
The activity, for reference
- Activity name (English)
- Sea Freight & Passengers Charters
- Activity name (Arabic)
- النقل البحري بعقود خاصة للركاب والبضائع
- Activity code
- 5012003
- Activity type
- Professional
- Group
- Transport, Storage and Communication; Transport, Shipping and Storage
- Regulating entity (as listed)
- Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation
- Licence types (as listed)
- Business License
What it covers, in our words
In English: carrying passengers and cargo by sea in chartered ships under special contracts, on semi-regular trips. The Arabic text on the same page describes scheduled lines instead.
Source: Invest in Dubai business-activity search — search the code 5012003 (read 10 October 2026)
Check before you apply
- — Legal forms for this activity are not shown here; confirm with DET which forms are open to it.
- — Names, codes and listed details were read from the Invest in Dubai business-activity search on 10 October 2026. The list is revised; check the live entry before you apply.
- — Rules, fees and timelines change. Confirm each approval with the authority named before you commit to premises or staff.
- — GeoMarineHub does not issue licences, help obtain them or act as a business-setup agent. Nothing here is legal or tax advice.
- — Activity codes are Dubai mainland codes. Free zones and the other emirates keep their own activity lists and codes.
Sources
- Invest in Dubai (Department of Economy and Tourism) — business activity “Sea Freight & Passengers Charters”, code 5012003 (read 2026-10-10)
- Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) — Activity list (read 2026-10-15)
- Dubai Legislation Portal — Law No. (3) of 2023 Concerning the Dubai Maritime Authority (read 2026-10-15)
- UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. (43) of 2023 Concerning the Maritime Law (in force 29 March 2024) (read 2026-10-15)
- UAE Government portal (u.ae) — Steps to start a business on the mainland (read 2026-10-15)
- Dubai Customs — Request business registration (read 2026-10-15)
- Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) — Renew licence guide (read 2026-10-15)
Where GeoMarineHub fits
Browse tonnage listed without names or post the cargo — commodity, quantity, ranges, laycan — and owners with suitable vessels answer blind. Offers move three per side with deadlines, and identities open only at conclusion.