GeoMarineHub

Dubai business activities · 5222005

Ship Management & Operation licence in Dubai (5222005): how to set up

A Dubai ship manager needs a licence naming “Ship Management & Operation” (mainland 5222005 or JAFZA 630310), DMA’s view on maritime approvals, and — for every ship it runs — an ISM Document of Compliance from the flag.

اقرأ هذه الصفحة بالعربية

Which licence covers ship management in Dubai?

On Dubai’s mainland the activity is “Ship Management & Operation”, code 5222005 — a professional activity on a business licence for managing and running ships and yachts for their owners, crew changes included. Invest in Dubai lists PCFC as its regulating entity.[1]

In Jebel Ali Free Zone the matching activity is “Ship Management & Operation”, code 630310. 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 management company 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.[4]

The safety approval follows the ship, not the trade licence: under the ISM Code a ship should be operated by a company holding a Document of Compliance relevant to that ship, issued by the flag Administration or an organisation it recognises. An interim Document of Compliance exists for initial implementation.[5]

To fly the UAE flag, a ship must be majority-owned by UAE or GCC nationals or by persons with a domicile, headquarters or ship management office in the UAE, and be no more than 20 years old (10 for passenger ships) (Maritime Law, Art. 13).[6]

What are the steps and documents?

  1. 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]
  2. Register the trade name and apply for initial approval.[7]
  3. 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]
  4. Submit the documents with any external approvals, pay the fees and collect the licence.[7]
  5. For each flag you will manage under, apply to that Administration or its recognised organisation for the Document of Compliance.[5]

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.[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]

A Document of Compliance is valid for up to five years and is verified every year, within three months either side of its anniversary date.[5]

The activity, for reference

Activity name (English)
Ship Management & Operation
Activity name (Arabic)
إدارة السفن وتشغيلها
Activity code
5222005
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

Managing and running ships, yachts and other vessels for their owners, including the work around carrying passengers and cargo, such as crew changes.

Source: Invest in Dubai business-activity search — search the code 5222005 (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

  1. Invest in Dubai (Department of Economy and Tourism) — business activity “Ship Management & Operation”, code 5222005 (read 2026-10-10)
  2. Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) — Activity list (read 2026-10-15)
  3. Invest in Dubai (Department of Economy and Tourism) — business activity search (read 2026-10-10)
  4. Dubai Legislation Portal — Law No. (3) of 2023 Concerning the Dubai Maritime Authority (read 2026-10-15)
  5. IMO — Resolution MSC.104(73), amendments to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code (PDF) (read 2026-10-15)
  6. UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. (43) of 2023 Concerning the Maritime Law (in force 29 March 2024) (read 2026-10-15)
  7. UAE Government portal (u.ae) — Steps to start a business on the mainland (read 2026-10-15)
  8. Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) — Renew licence guide (read 2026-10-15)

Where GeoMarineHub fits

One company account carries the whole team, each requirement names its vessel and port, and awards, orders and signed delivery notes file on one trail across the fleet. Your contracted rates can be tested against sealed local bids port by port.

Post a requirement — freeOr e-mail your requisition

Related pages

UAE port guides