ع
The Dubai Maritime Authority, an arm of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, detailed the international draw of its operations in a statement distributed by the Emirates News Agency. A total of 8,415 marine craft are registered with the authority while the sector encompasses more than 14,000 maritime companies that together have drawn in participants from 116 nationalities, led by the United Kingdom. These developments form part of ongoing work to create an integrated maritime ecosystem that improves navigational safety, raises operational efficiency and strengthens the regulatory framework. The initiatives are keeping pace with the sector’s expansion and are helping to secure Dubai’s standing as a leading global centre for maritime activities.
Advanced infrastructure underpins this growth, with 20 marinas providing 4,214 berths that support a broad spectrum of commercial and leisure functions. The facilities enable everything from large-scale shipping and logistics operations to yachting and recreational boating, broadening the sector’s appeal across user groups. Such capacity has proven essential in meeting rising demand for maritime services that extend well beyond traditional trade routes. The diversity of offerings has positioned Dubai to capitalise on both established shipping lanes and emerging blue economy opportunities.
Sheikh Dr. Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, CEO of the Dubai Maritime Authority, stated that the continued development of the maritime sector is central to Dubai’s efforts to advance the blue economy and strengthen its global presence across maritime activities and services. Al Maktoum’s assessment reflects the emirate’s evolution from a historic trading port into a sophisticated hub equipped with modern infrastructure and forward-looking policies. The emphasis on sustainable marine industries aligns with wider national priorities that seek to harness maritime resources for long-term economic diversification.
A 2025 assessment by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development placed the UAE among the top contributors to global shipping, with its fleet accounting for 2.4 percent of worldwide trade and cargo volumes. That share enabled the country to outrank several larger economies in maritime metrics, according to the UNCTAD data. Dubai’s performance forms a key element of this national profile, building on its established role as the leading maritime centre in the Middle East, India and Africa. The latest DMA figures illustrate how international participation continues to fuel this trajectory.
Public Authority for Civil Information statistics show that expatriates comprise more than two-thirds of the UAE’s population, supplying critical expertise across sectors including maritime operations. Within the maritime domain, this multinational workforce supports specialised areas such as ship management, port logistics and regulatory compliance. The influx from 116 nationalities has helped create a vibrant ecosystem that combines global talent with local infrastructure advantages. These attributes have sustained Dubai’s competitiveness even amid fluctuating global trade conditions.
