Dubai Maritime City reports sixfold revenue growth

Dubai Maritime City (DMC) has signed 18 new leases covering more than 572,000 sq ft (53,000 sqm) of industrial and commercial space in the first nine months of 2026, generating six times the revenue recorded during the same period last year.

The results reflect continued demand for maritime facilities in Dubai, with ship repair and marine manufacturing emerging as the fastest-growing business segments at the port and industrial hub.

“Businesses make long-term decisions about where to locate based on the strength, connectivity and reliability of the ecosystem around them,” said Ahmed Al Hammadi, chief operating officer of DMC.

He added that companies were committing to facilities, equipment and infrastructure because Dubai offered the certainty needed for long-term planning, supporting greater repair capacity and shorter turnaround times for shipowners and operators.

Despite heightened regional uncertainty, 72% of the new leases were signed after February, according to DMC, indicating continued interest in the location as a base for regional and international markets.

Businesses can lease space under either a renewable one-year agreement or a 25-year Musataha agreement, which allows companies to develop their own ship repair or shipbuilding workshops.

Companies leasing prebuilt units in 2026 are already operational, while projects secured under Musataha agreements are currently in the construction phase.

DMC also launched its second Maritime Business Centre earlier this year. The AED 160 million (€39 million) commercial tower expands Grade A office capacity within Dubai’s maritime and trade ecosystem.

Dubai ranks first in the Arab world and 11th globally in the Leading Maritime Cities Report, published by DNV and Menon Economics.

With demand for industrial and commercial space continuing, DMC expects further growth through the remainder of 2026.