Maritime companies — ship owners, freight forwarders, shipping agencies, and marine equipment suppliers — need UAE free zones with direct port access, maritime licences, and connections to ship registry authorities.
JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone)
JAFZA is the undisputed leader for maritime and shipping companies in the UAE. Located adjacent to Jebel Ali Port — the largest port in the Middle East and ninth-largest globally — JAFZA provides unparalleled logistics infrastructure. Shipping agents, freight forwarders, NVOCC operators, and maritime service companies all cluster in JAFZA. Licence costs: AED 20,000–60,000/year depending on activity and office size. JAFZA clients have direct access to DP World’s customs and port operations, simplifying the customs clearance process.
Dubai Maritime City (DMCA)
DMCA is a specialist maritime free zone in Dubai Creek Harbour, purpose-built for the maritime industry. It offers licences for ship repair, ship management, maritime legal services, maritime trading, and offshore vessel operations. DMCA has a dedicated dry dock and ship repair facility — one of the few in the UAE. Licence costs: AED 15,000–40,000/year. DMCA is the required free zone for companies seeking UAE Ship Registry membership and provides direct liaison with the UAE National Transport Authority maritime division.
Hamriyah Free Zone (Sharjah)
Hamriyah Free Zone in Sharjah offers competitive maritime licences at lower costs than JAFZA, with direct access to Hamriyah Port. It is preferred by ship repair companies, marine equipment suppliers, and offshore support vessel operators. Costs: AED 8,000–20,000/year. Hamriyah provides large land plots suitable for shipbuilding and repair yards.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Free Zone for Maritime and Shipping Companies | Current authority package | Quote-based - confirm current package Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Quote-based renewal - confirm current package Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Depends on package and office allocation | Authority quote required | Authority quote required | Current package / renewal confirmation required | June 2026 |
| What is included | Confirmed only after authority or partner quote. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Visas, insurance, medical, Emirates ID, office upgrades, amendments and cancellation unless quoted. |
| Hidden-cost risk | Confirm establishment card, visas, office/flexi desk, insurance, renewal and cancellation before payment. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium - depends on activity and documents |
| Best fit | Founders comparing this free zone against activity, visa, office, banking and renewal requirements. |
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.