Dredging & Reclamation Contracting
Mainland License — Compare Across 4 UAE Emirates
Cheapest from
AED 600
Ajman
4 emirates available
Government Fee Comparison
Ajman DED — Flat fee
AED 600
Flat AED 600 license fee + ~AED 3,900 mandatory DED fees. Total minimum ~AED 4,5
ADDED — Per-activity fee
AED 2,500
DED fee: AED 2500
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: Sharjah Municipality - Technical Section
Quote required
Fees calculated per-license based on license type, legal form, and activities. C
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About This Activity
Includes capital and maintenance dredging, excavation for waterways, artificial lakes, port basins, borrow areas and environmental dredging, the operations include removal of underwater rocks and sand, do pre-drilling operations such as explosions, cleaning, removal of maritime obstacles and disposal of dredge spoil. Land reclamation for artificial islands, peninsulas, and beach reclamation and maintenance nourishment using material derived from land excavation or from borrow areas including gr
Our Analysis
Ajman charges AED 600 for a dredging and reclamation contracting license. Abu Dhabi asks AED 2,500. That's a AED 1,900 gap for the same activity code — and it tells you something about how differently each emirate values heavy contracting work.
Dubai doesn't publish a fixed fee. You'll pay a base of roughly AED 8,000 plus 5% of your annual office rent. On a AED 80,000 warehouse lease in Al Quoz, that's AED 12,000 in government fees alone. The upside: Dubai's coastline and artificial island projects generate more dredging demand than any other emirate. Sharjah requires approval from the Municipality Technical Section but doesn't publish per-activity fees — contact SEDD directly.
All four emirates allow 100% foreign ownership for this activity since the 2021 reforms. No local sponsor required. That said, dredging is capital-intensive work that typically requires heavy machinery permits, environmental clearances, and civil defense approvals on top of the DED license.
Skip Ajman if your contracts are in Dubai — the commute and logistics overhead eat the AED 1,900 saving. Abu Dhabi is the sweet spot: competitive fees, active waterfront development, and a government that's spending heavily on coastal infrastructure.
For free zone alternatives with marine trading licenses, compare options at FreeZoneCompare.com.
Prices from official government portals, verified May 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Dredging & Reclamation Contracting license cost in Ajman?
The government DED fee for a Dredging & Reclamation Contracting license in Ajman is AED 600. This is the cheapest among the 4 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 Dredging & Reclamation Contracting license?
Ajman offers the lowest government fee at AED 600. 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 Dredging & Reclamation Contracting business in the UAE?
Yes. Since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms, most mainland business activities — including Dredging & Reclamation 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 Dredging & Reclamation Contracting license?
Beyond the DED license, you may need approval from: Contracting and building works (Dubai), Sharjah Municipality - Technical Section (Sharjah). Requirements vary by emirate and specific business scope.
How much does a Dredging & Reclamation 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 Dredging & Reclamation Contracting available as a mainland license in all UAE emirates?
Dredging & Reclamation Contracting is available for mainland licensing in 4 emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman. 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 Dredging & Reclamation Contracting in the UAE?
Dredging & Reclamation 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 Dredging & Reclamation Contracting license in Abu Dhabi or Dubai?
Ajman offers the lowest fee at AED 600. Dubai's formula-based approach starts at AED 8,000 before rent. Choose based on where your customers are, not just the license fee.
How long does it take to get a Dredging & Reclamation 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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