Maritime & Ship Services in the UAE

Key points

Popular districts for a the UAE mainland office include Fujairah City, Dibba, Al Faseel, Sakamkam and Qidfa, each with different rent levels and customer footfall. Businesses that benefit most from the UAE mainland licensing include maritime services, oil storage, trading, tourism and fishing, because they serve customers on site across the emirate. Among the strengths of a the UAE mainland licence are direct Indian Ocean port access and World-class bunkering hub, which is why local service businesses gravitate here.

Step by step

1. 
   Step 1

   Activity and legal form

   Importantly, we select the correct activity codes from the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy list and the legal form, generally a LLC or a sole establishment. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for starting a maritime services company in the UAE.

2. 
   Step 2

   Trade name and initial approval

   Your trade name is reserved and initial approval secured from the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy, together with any external approvals the activity requires.

3. 
   Step 3

   Office, MOA and submission

   Crucially, the memorandum of association is signed (online or before the notary), your tenancy is registered and the complete file is submitted to the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for starting a maritime services company in the UAE.

4. 
   Step 4

   Licence, Chamber and immigration

   As a rule, the the UAE mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start.

Documents required

Gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of starting a maritime services company in the UAE.

• Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
• Port pass applications
• A passport-size photograph on a white background
• A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
• A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
• The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country

Pricing

Pricing for starting a maritime services company in the UAE depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. The figures below for starting a maritime services company in the UAE are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.

Where to license maritime & ship services

Fujairah's anchorage is one of the world's busiest bunkering ports and the natural home for ship-services companies. Port passes and Fujairah Port or DP World registration are required for on-board access.

JAFZAJebel Ali — the world's largest free zone and gateway to g…SAIF ZoneSharjah's industrial free zone — warehousing, logistics an…Fujairah mainlandThe UAE's east-coast gateway — shipping, bunkering and Ind…Ras Al Khaimah mainlandThe emirate of industry and tourism — low costs, strong ma…

Examples of this activity

• Ship chandling
• Crew change services
• Marine spares
• Vessel management

Maritime & Ship Services guides by nationality

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Why the UAE

As a rule, the UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international clients and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for starting a maritime services company in the UAE. Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes starting a maritime services company in the UAE a route to relocation as well as a business decision.

Why GoldenKey

Our quotations for starting a maritime services company in the UAE list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before any payment anything. As we tell every client, after your the UAE licence is granted, the same team handles renewals, visa additions, amendments and tax registrations, so you never have to explain your business twice. GoldenKey's consultants have handled starting a maritime services company in the UAE for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly.

Frequently asked questions