Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Activity Code 7020.98 cover for maritime consultancy in Dubai
Activity Code 7020.98 falls under ISIC Division 70.20 — Management Consultancy Activities, applied specifically to maritime operations. It is a professional advisory licence, not an operational one.
Permitted activities include port operations advisory, vessel management consulting, maritime logistics strategy, flag state compliance guidance, and crew management advisory. It is well suited to naval architects, ex-mariners, port planners, P&I correspondents, and maritime HR specialists.
The licence does not cover freight forwarding, ship brokerage, or cargo handling. Those functions carry separate activity codes and may require additional regulatory approvals. If your business combines advisory and operational work, you must list all relevant activities on the licence from the outset.
Should I set up a maritime consultancy on the Dubai mainland or in a free zone
The choice between mainland and free zone is structural and directly affects which clients you can serve. A mainland licence issued through Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) allows you to contract directly with UAE government entities, port authorities, and semi-government bodies — access that free zones do not automatically provide.
Free zones such as JAFZA, DMCC, and Meydan Free Zone offer 100% foreign ownership, no corporate tax on qualifying income under the UAE's 9% corporate tax regime, and faster setup timelines. JAFZA is particularly relevant given its physical proximity to Jebel Ali Port and the concentration of maritime businesses within its boundary.
If your primary clients are international shipping companies, vessel owners, or overseas port operators, a free zone structure is typically the more cost-efficient and administratively straightforward choice.
Can a foreign national own 100% of a maritime consultancy in Dubai
Yes, under both mainland and free zone structures. Following the 2021 Commercial Companies Law amendments, mainland LLCs can now be 100% foreign-owned, subject to activity classification. Maritime consultancy under Activity Code 7020.98 generally qualifies.
A mainland sole proprietorship, however, still requires a local service agent agreement with a UAE national. This agent holds no equity in the business but must be formally appointed. Free zones have always permitted 100% foreign ownership without this requirement, making them a popular choice for solo consultants and small teams.
What are the main steps to obtain a Maritime Consultancy Services licence in Dubai
The process begins with trade name reservation — checked and reserved through the DET portal for mainland or directly with the chosen free zone authority. Names implying government affiliation or using restricted terms such as 'international' require prior approval.
Next comes initial approval, which involves submitting passport copies, the proposed activity, and a business plan summary where required. DET initial approval typically takes one to three working days; free zones are often faster.
You then select a legal structure — sole establishment, LLC, or free zone FZ-LLC — and arrange compliant office space. Mainland licences require a tenancy contract registered via Ejari, while free zones offer flexi-desk arrangements at considerably lower cost.
Why is Dubai considered a strategically important base for maritime consultancy
Dubai sits at the intersection of East-West shipping lanes and handles over 14 million TEUs annually through Jebel Ali — the largest port in the Middle East and the 9th busiest globally. This volume of trade creates sustained demand for specialist maritime advisory services.
The UAE's maritime sector contributes approximately AED 150 billion to GDP, and Dubai's port efficiency is ranked in the top 10 globally by the World Bank Logistics Performance Index. For consultants targeting shipping companies, port operators, or vessel owners, few locations offer comparable client density and commercial logic.
Which free zone is best suited for a maritime consultancy in Dubai
JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) carries the strongest sectoral relevance due to its physical location adjacent to Jebel Ali Port and the high concentration of shipping, logistics, and maritime businesses operating within its boundary. It is the natural choice for consultants whose work is closely tied to port operations or vessel management.
Meydan Free Zone suits lean consultancies prioritising low entry cost and remote setup capability, with no mandatory physical office at entry level. DMCC offers a well-regulated environment with strong international credibility, particularly useful for consultants serving commodity trading or vessel financing clients.
The right choice depends on your target client base, budget, and whether physical proximity to port infrastructure is operationally important to your practice.
What is the difference between a professional licence and a commercial licence for maritime consultancy
A professional licence is issued for knowledge-based, advisory, or skill-driven activities where the business delivers expertise rather than goods or operational services. Maritime consultancy under Activity Code 7020.98 typically qualifies as a professional activity, reflecting its purely advisory nature.
A commercial licence applies to trading, operational, or mixed-activity businesses. If a maritime business combines consultancy with freight forwarding, ship brokerage, or cargo handling, a commercial licence — or multiple activity listings — may be required. The applicable licence type can also vary depending on whether you set up on the mainland or within a specific free zone.
What activities are excluded from the Maritime Consultancy Services licence
The Maritime Consultancy Services licence under Activity Code 7020.98 is strictly an advisory licence. It does not permit freight forwarding, ship brokerage, or cargo handling — all of which carry separate activity codes and, in some cases, require additional regulatory approvals from bodies such as the Federal Transport Authority or UAE Maritime Authority.
If your business model involves both consultancy and any operational maritime function, you must list all relevant activities on the licence from the outset. Adding activities retrospectively is possible but involves additional fees and processing time, so it is more efficient to plan the full activity scope before submission.
Maritime Consultancy Services License in Dubai
Dubai sits at the intersection of East-West shipping lanes, handling over 14 million TEUs annually through Jebel Ali — making it one of the most commercially logical bases for maritime consultancy anywhere in the world. This guide covers what a Maritime Consultancy Services licence (Activity Code 7020.98) covers, who it suits, how to set it up, and what it realistically costs in Dubai.
What the Maritime Consultancy Services Licence Covers
Activity Code 7020.98 falls under ISIC Division 70.20 — Management Consultancy Activities, applied specifically to maritime operations. It is a professional advisory licence, not an operational one.
Permitted scope includes port operations advisory, vessel management consulting, maritime logistics strategy, flag state compliance guidance, and crew management advisory. The licence suits naval architects, ex-mariners, port planners, P&I correspondents, and maritime HR specialists operating in a purely consultative capacity.
It does not cover freight forwarding, ship brokerage, or cargo handling. Those activities carry separate codes and, in some cases, additional regulatory approvals. If your business touches both advisory and operational functions, you will need to list multiple activities on the licence from the outset.
Business Activities List
Explore Over 2,500+Key Stats at a Glance
| Activity Code | 7020.98 |
| ISIC Division | 70.20 — Management Consultancy Activities |
| Jebel Ali Port | Largest port in the Middle East; 9th busiest globally |
| Annual throughput | Over 14 million TEUs |
| UAE maritime GDP contribution | Approximately AED 150 billion |
| Dubai port efficiency ranking | Top 10 globally (World Bank Logistics Performance Index) |
| Licence type | Professional or Commercial depending on jurisdiction |
Mainland vs Free Zone: Choosing the Right Jurisdiction
The jurisdiction decision is structural, not cosmetic. Get it wrong and you will either over-pay for access you do not need or find yourself locked out of the clients you are targeting.
A mainland licence issued through Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) allows you to contract directly with UAE government entities, port authorities, and semi-government bodies. Sole proprietorships under mainland require a local service agent agreement; LLCs can now be 100% foreign-owned following the 2021 Commercial Companies Law amendments, subject to activity classification.
Free zone options — Meydan Free Zone, DMCC, and JAFZA — offer 100% foreign ownership, no corporate tax on qualifying income under the UAE's 9% corporate tax regime, and faster setup timelines. JAFZA carries particular relevance given its physical proximity to Jebel Ali Port and the concentration of shipping, logistics, and maritime businesses within its boundary.
Meydan Free Zone suits lean consultancies: low entry cost, remote setup capability, and no mandatory physical office at entry level. If your primary clients are international shipping companies, vessel owners, or overseas port operators, a free zone structure is typically the more efficient choice.
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Get in Touch NowStep-by-Step Licence Setup Guide
Step 1 — Trade name reservation: Check name availability and reserve through the DET portal for mainland, or directly with your chosen free zone authority. Avoid names implying government affiliation or using restricted terms such as "international" without approval.
Step 2 — Initial approval: Submit passport copies, the proposed activity, and a business plan summary where required. DET initial approval typically takes one to three working days. Free zones are often faster.
Step 3 — Legal structure selection: Choose between a sole establishment, LLC, or free zone FZ-LLC. A mainland sole establishment under a professional licence requires a local service agent agreement — this agent holds no equity but must be a UAE national.
Step 4 — Office space: Mainland licences require a tenancy contract registered via Ejari. Free zones offer flexi-desk arrangements that satisfy the licence condition at considerably lower cost — practical for a solo consultant or small advisory team.
Step 5 — Licence issuance and payment: Fees vary by jurisdiction. A mainland DET professional licence typically runs AED 10,000–15,000 all-in for year one, including approvals and registration fees.
Step 6 — Visa allocation: Once the licence is issued, your visa quota activates. The typical first step is an investor or partner visa, followed by employment visas for any staff. Visa processing adds two to three weeks to the overall timeline.
No special external approvals from UAE maritime regulatory bodies are required for a consultancy licence, unlike operational maritime businesses. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure oversees maritime regulation — see moei.gov.ae — but advisory activities under 7020.98 do not trigger their licensing requirements.
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Get Your LicenseUseful Government References
- Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) — mainland licence applications and renewals
- Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure — maritime regulation and federal oversight
- Meydan Free Zone — free zone licence and flexi-desk packages
- JAFZA — Jebel Ali Free Zone, relevant for port-adjacent operations
Costs, Timelines, and Practical Considerations
Mainland professional licence costs run AED 10,000–18,000 in year one, covering DED fees, name reservation, initial approval, and Ejari registration. Renewals typically come in 20–30% lower once the tenancy and structure are established.
Meydan Free Zone entry packages start from AED 12,500, inclusive of the licence and a flexi-desk — a competitive entry point for solo consultants or boutique advisory firms.
On timelines: free zone setup completes in three to seven working days. Mainland takes two to four weeks once tenancy and Ejari registration are factored in.
Corporate banking deserves early attention. Account activation typically takes four to eight weeks. Emirates NBD, Mashreq, and RAKBANK are active with consultancy-category businesses and have workable onboarding processes for this licence type.
VAT registration becomes mandatory once taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000. Maritime consultancy services delivered to overseas clients may qualify as zero-rated exports under UAE VAT law — but confirm the classification with a qualified UAE tax adviser before filing.
Conclusion
A Maritime Consultancy Services licence under Activity Code 7020.98 is a clean, low-barrier entry into one of the UAE's most commercially active sectors. The right jurisdiction depends on your client profile — free zone for international advisory mandates, mainland if you are targeting UAE port authorities or government-linked entities. Setup is straightforward; the variables are structure, location, and banking.
If you want a cost breakdown tailored to your structure or help selecting the right jurisdiction, use the calculator below or speak directly with the setup team.
