Dubai business activities · 5229007
Ship Rental Intermediator licence in Dubai (5229007): how to set up
A chartering broker in Dubai is licensed under “Ship Rental Intermediator” (5229007, PCFC regulated) or JAFZA’s “Ship Rental Intermediate” (630312); the licence covers the mediation, for a fee on the mediation only.
Which licence covers ship chartering brokerage in Dubai?
On Dubai’s mainland the activity is “Ship Rental Intermediator”, code 5229007 — a professional activity on a business licence for mediating between those who let ships and those who hire them, for a fee on the mediation only. Invest in Dubai lists PCFC as its regulating entity.[1]
In Jebel Ali Free Zone the matching activity is “Ship Rental Intermediate”, code 630312. 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 chartering broker 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]
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).[5]
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.[6]
- Register the trade name and apply for initial approval.[6]
- 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.[6]
- Submit the documents with any external approvals, pay the fees and collect the licence.[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.[6]
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)
- Ship Rental Intermediator
- Activity name (Arabic)
- وسيط تأجير السفن
- Activity code
- 5229007
- 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
Acting as the go-between in ship chartering — connecting those who let ships with those who hire them — and earning a fee for the mediation only.
Source: Invest in Dubai business-activity search — search the code 5229007 (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 “Ship Rental Intermediator”, code 5229007 (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)
- 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)
- Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) — Renew licence guide (read 2026-10-15)
Where GeoMarineHub fits
The desk keeps both principals sealed until conclusion, which is the problem intermediaries also manage. There is no intermediary role on it today; if your firm charters on its own account it can register as a charterer.