Administrative Resolution No. (1) of
2025
Regulating the
Conduct of Commercial Maritime
Activities on Vessels in the Emirate of Dubai[1]
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The Executive Director of the Dubai
Maritime Authority,
After
perusal of:
Law No. (11) of 2010 Concerning the
Licensing of Vessels in the Emirate of Dubai;
Law No. (3) of 2023 Concerning the
Dubai Maritime Authority;
Executive Council Resolution No.
(11) of 2013 Issuing the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (11) of 2010 Concerning
the Licensing of Vessels in the Emirate of Dubai and its amendments; and
Administrative Resolution No. (2) of
2016 Concerning Conduct of Maritime Activities Using Vessels in the Emirate of
Dubai,
Does hereby issue this Resolution.
The following words and expressions,
wherever mentioned in this Resolution, will have the meaning indicated opposite
each of them unless the context implies otherwise:
|
The United Arab Emirates. |
|
|
Emirate: |
The Emirate of Dubai. |
|
DMA: |
The Dubai Maritime Authority. |
|
Waters of the Emirate: |
The waters of the Emirate lying
between the Dubai-Sharjah border and the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border, and
extending to the exclusive economic zone, including the internal waters of
the Emirate, such as Ports, harbours, marinas, canals, waterways, and creeks. |
|
Vessel: |
Any vessel operated on the Waters
of the Emirate to transport Passengers or Goods for commercial purposes. |
|
Activity: |
Any commercial maritime work
carried out within the Waters of the Emirate. This includes the salvage of
any structure, including wreckage, whether afloat or otherwise; diving
operations; excavation and dredging works; demolition works; maritime rescue
operations; hydrographic surveying; towing operations; transportation of
materials including sand, rocks, debris, and any construction materials that
may cause marine pollution within the Emirate; and the rental of Vessels that
are not licensed by the DMA, but have been authorised by the DMA to navigate
the Waters of the Emirate. |
|
Permit: |
A document issued by the DMA
authorising the conduct of the Activity on a Vessel within the Waters of the
Emirate. |
|
Manual: |
The manual approved under this
Resolution, which sets out the conditions, requirements, procedures and
technical standards that must be complied with for obtaining a Permit
designating a Vessel for use in conducting the Activity, depending on the
category and type of the Vessel. |
|
Electronic System: |
The electronic system maintained
by the DMA through which Permit applications are submitted. |
a. Pursuant
to this Resolution, the “Manual for the Conduct of Commercial Maritime
Activities on Vessels in the Emirate of Dubai”, inclusive of the
requirements, conditions, procedures, and technical standards for designating
Vessels for use in conducting the Activity, is approved.
b. The
DMA must publish the Manual approved under paragraph (a) of this Article, and
any updates or amendments thereto, on its official website.
No
Vessel owner, operator, or maritime agent may use a Vessel for conducting the
Activity without first obtaining a Permit.
a.
A Permit application must be
submitted through the Electronic System, using the form prescribed by the DMA
for this purpose. The application must be accompanied by the following
documents:
1.
for
UAE nationals, a copy of the passport or Emirates identity card; and for
non-UAE nationals, a copy of the passport and a valid UAE residence permit or
Emirates identity card;
2.
a
copy of the commercial licence of the Vessel's owner or Operating
Establishment, or of its Maritime Agent, issued by the competent entities in
the Emirate;
3.
a
copy of the agreement concluded between the Vessel's owner or operator and any
entity contracted for providing services related to the Activity;
4.
a
copy of the no-objection certificate issued by the official or private entities
supervising the zone in which the Vessel will be operated;
5.
a
copy of the form demonstrating the Vessel’s fulfilment of, and compliance with,
the conditions, requirements, and technical standards applicable to its
category and type, and to the type of Activity to be conducted, as specified in
the Manual;
6.
a
risk assessment and management plan prepared based on the Vessel’s category,
type, size, zone of operation, and the nature of the Activity to be conducted,
as specified in the Manual; and
7.
a
copy of any other documents specified in the Electronic System or deemed
necessary by the DMA.
b.
The DMA will consider the
application and verify that it meets the relevant conditions and requirements
and that it is accompanied by the required documents. For this purpose, the DMA
may conduct on-site visits and audits, require and scrutinise any additional
documents, data, or information as it deems necessary.
c.
The DMA will issue a decision
approving the Permit application within three (3) working days from the date on
which the conditions and requirements are fulfilled, and the required documents
are submitted. The applicant will be instructed to pay the prescribed fee,
whereupon the DMA will issue the Permit specifying the type and size of the
Vessel, the nature of its operations, the authorised Activity, and the zone
within which the Activity will be conducted.
d.
Where a Permit application is
rejected, the DMA will notify the applicant of the reasons for rejection. An
applicant whose application is rejected may submit to the DMA another
application.
e.
A Permit will be valid for the
period specified therein. The DMA may vary the Permit’s validity period taking
into account the prevailing weather conditions in the UAE or for any other
considerations dictated by the public interest.
The
owner, operator, or maritime agent of a Vessel must:
1.
comply with the legislation in force
in the UAE, the international treaties and conventions to which the UAE is a
party, and the maritime navigational notices and warnings issued by the DMA and
other competent entities in the UAE;
2.
submit the Permit application
through the Electronic System within a sufficient period prior to the scheduled
date for commencing the Activity;
3.
fulfil the conditions, requirements,
and technical standards applicable to the Vessel’s type, size, zone of
operation, and the Activity to be conducted using the Vessel, as set out in the
Manual;
4.
obtain, from the competent entities
in the Emirate, all approvals and licences required for conducting the
Activity;
5.
ensure that all persons working on
board the Vessel have received the necessary training on safety requirements
and protection of marine environment;
6.
comply with the procedures and
measures specified in the risk assessment and management plan prepared by the
Vessel's owner, operator, or their maritime agent and approved by the DMA;
7.
provide an appropriate third party
liability insurance to cover damage that may result from the use of the Vessel
in conducting the Activity;
8.
not conduct the Activity in any manner
that may compromise the security and safety of maritime navigation in the
Emirate, or the safety of persons or property; and, in all cases, cease the
Activity if there is a danger or the likelihood of a danger;
9.
fully cooperate with the DMA during
the conduct of inspection and audit of the Vessel to verify that it is
adequately equipped, safe, and suitable for use in conducting the Activity; and
10. notify
the DMA in the event of any maritime accident, incident, or violation of the
conditions the Permit.
A Vessel may, in special and
justifiable cases as dictated by the public interest, be exempted from certain
Permit issuance conditions or requirements, provided that this exemption does
not compromise Maritime Safety or the marine environment in the Waters of the
Emirate, and is subject to a decision issued by the Executive Director of the
DMA.
Any person who violates the
provisions of this Resolution will be punished by the relevant penalties and
fines stipulated in the above-mentioned Executive Council Resolution No. (11)
of 2013.
The directors of the concerned
directorates of the DMA, each within his respective powers, will issue the
instructions required for the implementation of the provisions of this
Resolution.
The above-mentioned Administrative
Resolution No. (2) of 2016 is hereby repealed. Any provision in any other
administrative resolution is also hereby repealed to the extent that it
contradicts the provisions of this Resolution.
This Resolution will be published in
the Official Gazette and will come into force on the day on which it is
published.
Dr. Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum
Executive Director
Dubai Maritime Authority
Issued in Dubai on 10 April 2025
Corresponding to 12
Shawwal 1446 A.H.
©2025 The Supreme Legislation Committee in the
Emirate of Dubai
[1]Every effort has been made to produce an
accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the
purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the
original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.