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The leases, which cover industrial and commercial spaces, highlight robust demand in the ship repair and marine manufacturing sectors, according to the announcement by Dubai Maritime City. The operator, a flagship development of DP World, offers tenants the choice between annual renewable leases and 25-year usufruct agreements for developing workshops and construction facilities. Tenants in equipped units have begun operations while those on land plots have entered the construction phase, the statement said.
Seventy-two percent of the contracts were signed after February, reflecting heightened investor confidence in Dubai’s maritime ecosystem. Ahmed Al Hammadi, chief operating officer at Dubai Maritime City, said the long-term commitments demonstrate trust in the emirate’s planning and infrastructure strength. “This provides ship owners and operators with greater repair capabilities, shorter turnaround times and integrated services in one location,” he stated.
The performance comes as Dubai solidifies its position among the world’s top five shipping centres and the leading one in the Arab world, according to the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Index. A separate report on leading maritime cities ranks the emirate first in the Arab region and 11th globally. These rankings support the growing interest in facilities like those at Dubai Maritime City.
Earlier in 2026, Dubai Maritime City inaugurated its second Maritime Business Centre following a 160 million dirham investment, with 78 percent of the space leased before opening, a company statement indicated. The 125-unit tower provides premium offices ranging from 40 to 980 square metres, complete with waterfront views and wellness facilities. The development includes DP World-related entities and expands capacity for maritime businesses.
The leasing surge forms part of broader growth at DP World, whose ports and economic zones have seen increased activity amid global trade dynamics. In the first half of 2026, the group reported revenues of 46.6 billion dirhams, up 13.1 percent year on year, according to its financial statements. Such figures underscore the resilience and expansion in maritime-related infrastructure across the UAE.
Dubai Maritime City continues to record operational milestones, including a one-day high of 52 vessels docked at its dry berths in July. This reflects rising demand for ship maintenance and repair services in the region. The combined leasing and operational gains position the facility as a key contributor to Dubai’s trade and logistics sector.
