Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA) in Sharjah is the UAE’s leading hub for heavy industry, marine services, oil and gas, and large-scale manufacturing. Here is the complete 2025 guide.
What is Hamriyah Free Zone?
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA) was established in 1995 in the northern Sharjah coast, adjacent to Hamriyah Port. HFZA covers 26 million sqm and is home to 6,500+ companies from 160+ countries. Hamriyah Port: a deep-water port handling dry bulk, liquid bulk, containers, and RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) cargo. The port’s deep draft makes it suitable for large vessels. HFZA key industries: oil and gas services, petrochemicals, heavy machinery, marine equipment, construction materials, steel fabrication, and ship repair.
HFZA Facility Types
HFZA offers a range of facility options beyond standard offices: Industrial plots (5,000-100,000+ sqm): for large-scale manufacturing and fabrication. Land lease periods: 5-25 years. Standard factory units (250-2,500 sqm): for light to medium manufacturing. Warehouses (500-5,000 sqm): for storage and logistics. Open storage yards: for large equipment, pipes, and bulk materials. Offshore facilities: dedicated marine services area with sea access.
HFZA vs. JAFZA
Both HFZA and JAFZA are major UAE free zones with port access. Key differences: HFZA (Sharjah): 20-40% cheaper industrial land and facility costs than JAFZA. Better for heavy industry and large fabrication yards. JAFZA (Jebel Ali): significantly larger container port (one of the world’s top 10). Better for container trade and import/export of finished goods. For oil and gas fabrication, offshore marine equipment, and heavy manufacturing: HFZA offers a cost advantage. For commodity import/export through containers: JAFZA’s larger port infrastructure is superior.
Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamriyah Free Zone | Basic licence public component | AED 15,000-25,000 (licence from AED 8,000-15,000 + 1 visa AED 4,500 all-in; HFZA does not publish a single public price table) Confidence: High-confidence public consensus |
Quote-based renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Quote-based 3-year total Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Depends on facility | Warehouse, land, office or industrial facility | High-confidence public consensus | Public consultant sources; official FAQ may block automated fetches | Current package / renewal confirmation required | June 2026 |
| What is included | Public consultant sources consistently list an AED 11,000 starting licence component; final facility and authority quote must be confirmed. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Facility, visas, utility costs, deposits and industrial approvals unless quoted. |
| Hidden-cost risk | Industrial approvals and facility needs can alter totals. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium |
| Best fit | Industrial, manufacturing, trading and warehouse-led companies in Sharjah. |
Source evidence: Review source | Methodology | Corrections.
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Last reviewed June 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.