Commercial ships moving through Jebel Ali Port. Private yachts berthed in marinas across the emirate. Fishing boats, tour boat operators, offshore service boat vessels. Each one accumulates wear that isn't optional to address; it's mandatory for safety, compliance, and continued operation. Downtime doesn't just delay schedules; it cuts revenue, disrupts logistics, and compounds repair costs when deferred maintenance turns into structural failure.
The scale of Dubai's maritime activity drives that demand. Jebel Ali Port handled 15.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2024, the highest volume since 2015, and every container moved represents vessels that require ongoing servicing, hull maintenance, engine work, and system checks. Beyond commercial traffic, registered marine vessels in Dubai reached 7,738 in 2024, a 14.4% increase from 2023, reflecting continuous growth in both commercial and recreational marine activity. Add to that 4,151 marina berths across 19 marinas throughout the emirate, and the result is a dense concentration of marine assets in year-round operation, all requiring regular mechanical servicing, structural repairs, and compliance checks to remain seaworthy.
From hull cleaning and engine overhauls to electrical system repairs to structural welding, the marine repair market operates continuously. Whether you're operating a pleasure boat repair yard, offering mechanical and electrical servicing, or supporting commercial and recreational vessel owners, operating legally requires the right ships and boats repairing trade license in Dubai.
Ships and Boats Repairing – 3315.88
This business activity covers the repair and maintenance of ships and boats, including mechanical, structural, and system-related servicing required to keep vessels safe and operational.
Your work centres on diagnosing faults, repairing mechanical and propulsion systems, servicing electrical and onboard equipment, fixing structural or hull issues, managing corrosion, and carrying out routine maintenance that keeps vessels reliable in demanding marine environments.
In practical terms, you could be servicing yacht engines overnight at Dubai Marina so the vessel is ready for the next day’s charter, repairing hull corrosion for boats berthed long-term in Jumeirah or Al Seef, or providing routine maintenance for privately owned leisure boats stored in dry docks across the emirate. You might also be supporting commercial vessel owners like tour boats, fishing vessels, or small cargo craft, where quick turnaround is critical to avoid missed trips and lost revenue.
This business activity suits founders building a marine workshop where reliability, safety, and fast service for ships and boats drive repeat business.
If you’re planning a specialised repair yard, your operations could include engine diagnostics and overhauls for charter fleets operating out of Dubai Harbour, replacing worn components exposed to constant saltwater use, repairing onboard electrical or navigation systems, and carrying out hull cleaning, anti-corrosion treatment, and protective painting. In Dubai’s year-round marine environment, regular maintenance isn’t optional; ship and boat owners rely on service providers who can keep their assets seaworthy, compliant, and ready for operation.
But there are limits. This business activity does not include factory rebuilding of ships, factory rebuilding of locomotives and railroad cars, factory rebuilding of aircraft, repair of ship or rail engines, ship scaling or dismantling, repair and maintenance of motorcycles, or the repair of bicycles and invalid carriages.
Third-Party Approval:
No third-party approval is required for this business activity.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:
Business activity 3315.88 is exempt from this requirement.
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