GeoMarineHub

Dubai business activities · 5011001

Shipping Lines Of Freight & Passengers Transportation licence in Dubai (5011001): how to set up

A shipping line in Dubai is licensed under activity 5011001 (PCFC regulated), while its ships answer to federal rules — a navigation licence for UAE-flag ships and Ministry approval for foreign ships trading between UAE ports.

اقرأ هذه الصفحة بالعربية

Which licence covers a shipping line in Dubai?

On Dubai’s mainland the activity is “Shipping Lines Of Freight & Passengers Transportation”, code 5011001 — a professional activity on a business licence for carrying passengers and cargo by sea in owned or chartered vessels. Invest in Dubai lists PCFC as its regulating entity.[1]

In Jebel Ali Free Zone the matching activity is “Shipping Lines of Freight & Passengers Transportation”, code 611001. 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 shipping line 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 ship registered with the Ministry may not carry on any maritime activity without a navigation licence issued by the Ministry (Maritime Law, Art. 22).[5]

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).[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).[5]

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.[6]
  2. Register the trade name and apply for initial approval.[6]
  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.[6]
  4. Submit the documents with any external approvals, pay the fees and collect the licence.[6]
  5. After the licence, register with Dubai Customs if goods will cross customs.[7]

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.[8]

The activity, for reference

Activity name (English)
Shipping Lines Of Freight & Passengers Transportation
Activity name (Arabic)
خطوط ملاحية للنقل البحري للركاب والبضائع
Activity code
5011001
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

Shipping companies that carry passengers and cargo by sea or along the coast in vessels they own or charter.

Source: Invest in Dubai business-activity search — search the code 5011001 (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 “Shipping Lines Of Freight & Passengers Transportation”, code 5011001 (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. UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. (43) of 2023 Concerning the Maritime Law (in force 29 March 2024) (read 2026-10-15)
  6. UAE Government portal (u.ae) — Steps to start a business on the mainland (read 2026-10-15)
  7. Dubai Customs — Request business registration (read 2026-10-15)
  8. Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) — Renew licence guide (read 2026-10-15)

Where GeoMarineHub fits

Post the requirement per vessel at the port of call; suppliers see vessel type, ETA, terms and lines but not your name until you award. A line that also charters tonnage in or out can use the chartering desk from the same account.

Post a requirement — freeOr e-mail your requisition

Related pages

UAE port guides