The UAE has taken a major step in direction of strengthening its place as a worldwide maritime and yachting vacation spot, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai introducing a unified protocol that streamlines yacht journey between the 2 emirates.
The initiative removes duplicate administrative necessities for international yachts and permits smoother inter-emirate motion.
Below the brand new framework, Abu Dhabi and Dubai will mutually recognise crusing permits issued in both emirate, eliminating the necessity for visiting international yachts to finish redundant native entry and exit procedures when travelling between the 2 emirates.
The protocol enhances operational effectivity and improves the general expertise for yacht homeowners, operators and guests.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi yacht guidelines
The mutual recognition of permits follows a collection of coordination conferences involving Abu Dhabi Maritime, the Dubai Maritime Authority on the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Company, and different native and federal entities.
These embrace the Nationwide Guard, the Federal Authority for Id, Citizenship, Customs and Port Safety, and Dubai Customs.
The initiative displays a shared dedication to unifying efforts throughout the UAE maritime ecosystem, supporting sector integration and progress, and aligning with the directives of the UAE management to boost regional and worldwide competitiveness by means of shut stakeholder coordination.
Sheikh Dr. Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, CEO of the Dubai Maritime Authority, stated: “Dubai is proud to share its profitable expertise in facilitating yacht visits. We’re totally dedicated to supporting this unified strategy, which is able to undoubtedly strengthen the UAE’s place as a number one world-class maritime vacation spot”.
Captain Saif Al Mheiri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Chief Sustainability Officer at AD Ports Group, stated: “This initiative displays our shared dedication to simplifying maritime mobility and enhancing our emirates’ competitiveness as international yachting hubs. We’re making it simpler than ever for guests to take pleasure in our waters”.
Maritime permits
The unified system introduces the usage of the Early Inquiry System Utility Programming Interface (API) to acquire vessel, crew and passenger knowledge, serving to authorities keep away from duplicate procedures throughout inter-emirate journey.
The protocol will come into drive firstly of January 2026, with transport brokers to be formally notified to function in keeping with the brand new provisions.
Officers say the cooperation marks a brand new chapter in UAE maritime collaboration and establishes a extra built-in and enabling regulatory surroundings for international yachts.
The Dubai Maritime Authority is the federal government entity accountable for regulating, coordinating and overseeing all elements of the maritime sector in Dubai.
Established in 2007, it really works to boost maritime actions and align rules and insurance policies with regional and international maritime developments, supporting each business and leisure sectors whereas boosting Dubai’s funding attractiveness.
Abu Dhabi Maritime, a part of AD Ports Group, works in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Division of Municipalities and Transport and the Built-in Transport Centre because the custodian of the emirate’s waterways.
The organisation delivers a streamlined, user- and business-friendly regulatory surroundings, develops trendy infrastructure and superior digital providers, and helps the expansion of Abu Dhabi’s leisure and business maritime communities.
