Dubai’s maritime sector has grown to encompass 8,415 registered marine craft and more than 14,000 maritime companies, according to figures released by the Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA), which operates under the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation.
The sector draws professionals from 116 nationalities, with the United Kingdom accounting for the largest share of users. Supporting that activity is an infrastructure network of 20 marinas and 4,214 berths.
Sheikh Dr. Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, CEO of the Dubai Maritime Authority, said 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.
“We continue to develop an integrated maritime ecosystem built on the highest standards of regulation and safety, enhancing Dubai’s competitiveness and reinforcing its position as a leading global maritime destination. We are committed to providing an advanced regulatory environment that supports every component of the sector, meets the evolving needs of maritime users, and improves the efficiency of operations and services in line with international best practices,” he said in a statement.
“The sector’s growth indicators reflect Dubai’s increasing appeal to customers, investors and watercraft operators from around the world. They also demonstrate the strength of its infrastructure and its capacity to accommodate future expansion, supporting the emirate’s ambition to build a more competitive and sustainable maritime sector,” he added.
The registered fleet spans a wide range of vessel types. Motorised pleasure boats form the largest category at 3,269 craft, followed by 2,377 watersports vessels and 1,064 tourism boats.
The registry also includes 897 commercial marine craft for watersports, 224 marine public transport vessels, and floating restaurants and other categories.
Of the 87 floating restaurants operating in Dubai’s waters, 58 are wooden and 29 non-wooden, with a combined guest capacity of 9,600. They are concentrated primarily around Dubai Marina, Dubai Creek, Dubai Harbour, and Al Jaddaf Waterfront.
The DMA’s remit covers approximately 72 km of coastline and extends into Dubai’s exclusive economic zone, where it sets regulatory frameworks covering navigational safety, operational standards, and maritime services.
