Ports & Marine Construction Contracting
Mainland License — Compare Across 3 UAE Emirates
Cheapest from
AED 1,000
Abu Dhabi
3 emirates available
Government Fee Comparison
ADDED — Per-activity fee
AED 1,000
DED fee: AED 1000
Base AED 8,000 + 5% rent
AED 9,500
30K rent
AED 10,500
50K rent
AED 12,000
80K rent
SEDD — Per-license (quote required)
Approvals: Moni Marine Department and Customs
Quote required
Fees calculated per-license based on license type, legal form, and activities. C
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About This Activity
Includes construction works of marine and coastal structures for: ports, harbours, marinas (excluding floating pontoons & mooring systems), dry docks, artificial islands and waterways, including quay walls, wharves, jetties, breakwaters, revetments etc; coastal protection, stabilization works, breakwaters, revetment, groynes, seawalls, beach nourishment, etc. these works include navigation signs, preparation works and other enabling temporary structures
Our Analysis
Abu Dhabi charges AED 1,000 for ports and marine construction contracting. Dubai's formula starts at AED 8,000 minimum. Sharjah available on application.
Marine construction covers jetty building, breakwater installation, quay wall construction, and coastal defence structures. Abu Dhabi's coastline — with active port expansions at Khalifa Port and multiple island developments — generates the bulk of UAE marine construction demand.
Dubai's Palm Jebel Ali Phase 2, Dubai Harbour, and Dubai Maritime City keep marine contractors busy in the emirate. The trade-off: Dubai's formula-based license adds rent-linked costs on top of the base fee, and marine construction offices tend to be near industrial waterfronts where rents aren't cheap.
This is specialist heavy civil work. You need marine equipment (barges, cranes, diving support), environmental permits, and maritime authority clearances. The AED 1,000 DED fee is trivial compared to project mobilisation costs.
100% foreign ownership. No local sponsor. Abu Dhabi Ports Company and DP World contractor registration are the real entry gates.
Abu Dhabi at AED 1,000 for the largest marine construction pipeline. Dubai for Dubai Harbour and Palm projects.
For maritime logistics free zone options, see FreeZoneCompare.com.
Prices from official government portals, verified May 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Ports & Marine Construction Contracting license cost in Abu Dhabi?
The government DED fee for a Ports & Marine Construction Contracting license in Abu Dhabi is AED 1,000. This is the cheapest among the 3 emirates where this activity is available. Additional costs may include office rent, visa fees, and external approval charges.
Which UAE emirate is cheapest for a Ports & Marine Construction Contracting license?
Abu Dhabi offers the lowest government fee at AED 1,000. However, total setup costs also depend on office rent, visa requirements, and any external approvals needed for this activity.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Ports & Marine Construction Contracting business in the UAE?
Yes. Since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms, most mainland business activities — including Ports & Marine Construction Contracting — allow 100% foreign ownership across all UAE emirates. A local sponsor or service agent is no longer required for most activities.
What approvals are needed for a Ports & Marine Construction Contracting license?
Beyond the DED license, you may need approval from: Contracting and building works (Dubai), Moni Marine Department and Customs (Sharjah). Requirements vary by emirate and specific business scope.
How much does a Ports & Marine Construction Contracting license cost in Dubai?
Dubai uses a formula-based fee: approximately AED 8,000 base fee plus 5% of your annual office rent. For example, with AED 50,000 annual rent, expect roughly AED 10,500 in government fees. Dubai also offers an Instant License at AED 8,000 flat (virtual location) and budget SME/Intelaq licenses at AED 1,070.
Is Ports & Marine Construction Contracting available as a mainland license in all UAE emirates?
Ports & Marine Construction Contracting is available for mainland licensing in 3 emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah. Each emirate has its own DED with independent fee structures and requirements. Use MainlandCompare.com to compare fees across all available emirates.
What type of license is Ports & Marine Construction Contracting in the UAE?
Ports & Marine Construction Contracting falls under the Commercial license category in the UAE. Commercial licenses cover trading, import/export, and retail activities.
Is it cheaper to get a Ports & Marine Construction Contracting license in Abu Dhabi or Dubai?
Abu Dhabi is significantly cheaper at AED 1,000 versus Dubai's estimated AED 10,500 (at AED 50,000 rent). However, Dubai offers a larger market with 3.6 million residents and 16 million annual tourists.
How long does it take to get a Ports & Marine Construction Contracting mainland license?
Setup time varies by emirate: Dubai offers same-day approval with the Instant License (AED 8,000), or 1-3 working days for a Normal License. Abu Dhabi takes 2-5 working days. Sharjah and Ajman take 1-5 working days. Additional time may be needed for external approvals.
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