Dubai business activities · 5229017

Sea Shipping Lines Agents licence in Dubai (5229017): how to set up

A Dubai ship agency needs a licence naming “Sea Shipping Lines Agents” (5229017, or JAFZA 630403) and, under the federal Maritime Law, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure’s approval plus a licence from the emirate.

اقرأ هذه الصفحة بالعربية

Which licence covers ship agency in Dubai?

On Dubai’s mainland the activity is “Sea Shipping Lines Agents”, code 5229017 — a commercial activity on a business licence for acting for owners and lines in port: cargo and passengers, pilots and tugs, customs and port papers. Invest in Dubai lists PCFC as its regulating entity.^[1]

In Jebel Ali Free Zone the matching activity is “Shipping Line Agents”, code 630403. 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]

Confirm with DET which legal forms are open to this activity before you choose one.^[3]

Which approvals does a ship agent need?

Under the federal Maritime Law, no ship agent may work in the UAE without the approval of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and a licence from the competent authority — the government of the emirate or an entity affiliated with it — on conditions set by the Executive Regulations (Art. 116).^[4]

The same applies to a shipping agent acting for cargo receivers in UAE ports (Art. 120). A ship agent must, among other things, coordinate with the master on the ship’s control requirements and give the authorities correct crew data (Art. 118).^[4]

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.^[5]

Goods moving through customs need a Dubai Customs business registration. It is requested with a copy of the trade licence and the authorised person’s passport and Emirates ID.^[6]

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.^[7]
Register the trade name and apply for initial approval.^[7]
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.^[7]
Submit the documents with any external approvals, pay the fees and collect the licence.^[7]
Apply for the Ministry approval and the emirate’s agency licence, then register with Dubai Customs.^[4,6]

How long does it take and what does it cost?

Dubai Customs business registration costs AED 100 plus a AED 20 knowledge and innovation fee and is completed within one working day.^[6]

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.^[7]

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.^[8]

The activity, for reference

Activity name (English): Sea Shipping Lines Agents
Activity name (Arabic): وكيل خطوط ملاحية بحرية
Activity code: 5229017
Activity type: Commercial
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

Acting for ship owners and lines in port: handling cargo and passengers, arranging pilots and tugs, preparing customs and port papers, and coordinating supplies and the parties shipping and receiving goods.

Source: Invest in Dubai business-activity search — search the code 5229017 (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 Shipping Lines Agents”, code 5229017 (read 2026-10-10)
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) — Activity list (read 2026-10-15)
Invest in Dubai (Department of Economy and Tourism) — business activity search (read 2026-10-10)
UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. (43) of 2023 Concerning the Maritime Law (in force 29 March 2024) (read 2026-10-15)
Dubai Legislation Portal — Law No. (3) of 2023 Concerning the Dubai Maritime Authority (read 2026-10-15)
Dubai Customs — Request business registration (read 2026-10-15)
UAE Government portal (u.ae) — Steps to start a business on the mainland (read 2026-10-15)
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) — Renew licence guide (read 2026-10-15)

Where GeoMarineHub fits

Here the appointment is a structured requirement — vessel, call window, husbandry scope — and every activated agent quotes the same scope sealed, so offers are comparable and an independent can win on the offer.