Dubai Maritime City handled a record 52 vessels in a single day on 28 July 2026, according to DP World. The milestone came as demand for ship maintenance, offshore support services and yacht repairs continued to grow.
The increase matters because it highlights the rising demand for specialised maritime infrastructure in Dubai and the wider UAE. DP World is now expanding capacity and introducing more automation at the facility to handle a broader range of vessels.
- Location: Dubai Maritime City, Dubai
- Organisation: DP World
- Status: Record set on 28 July 2026
- Who is affected: Shipowners, offshore operators, yacht owners and maritime service providers
- Business impact: Dry-berth occupancy rose 22% year on year in July
- What’s next: Capacity expansion, additional vessel-support cradles and further automation
Dubai Maritime City has set a new operational record after handling 52 vessels at its dry berths in a single day. According to DP World, the milestone was achieved on 28 July 2026, marking the highest number of vessels received by the Dubai maritime services and ship-repair hub in one day.
The record comes as demand for vessel maintenance continues to increase across offshore, commercial and leisure sectors. With dry-berth occupancy also rising and new capacity being added, the performance underlines Dubai Maritime City’s growing role in supporting the UAE’s maritime industry.
Dubai Maritime City handled 52 vessels in one day
The record was set at the facility’s dry berths, where vessels are lifted out of the water for inspection, maintenance and repair work.
According to DP World, 52 vessels were handled on 28 July, the highest single-day figure recorded at Dubai Maritime City.
The wider monthly performance also showed an increase in activity. The total number of vessels handled in July reached 202, up 7% from 188 vessels in July 2025.
Dry-berth occupancy increased by 22% year on year during the month, reflecting higher demand for maintenance and repair services.
A significant share of this growth came from offshore support vessels, including vessels of up to 150 metres. DP World said operators were increasingly prioritising maintenance to ensure their fleets remained ready for deployment.
This is particularly relevant for the UAE and wider Gulf region, where offshore energy activity continues to create demand for specialised vessel maintenance and support infrastructure.
Yacht and leisure-boat maintenance is also growing
The rise in activity was not limited to commercial and offshore vessels.
Dubai Maritime City also recorded strong growth in demand from the yacht and leisure-boat sector. According to DP World, dry-berth occupancy for this segment rose 88% year on year in July.
From the beginning of 2026 through to the end of July, occupancy in the segment was also up 110%.
The increase reflects the growing need for maintenance, repair and servicing facilities capable of handling different types of recreational vessels.
Dubai Maritime City serves a broad mix of customers, ranging from yachts and leisure boats to traditional wooden vessels, commercial ships and offshore support vessels.
For a city positioned as both a global tourism destination and a major maritime and logistics hub, the availability of specialised maintenance infrastructure supports several parts of the economy at the same time.
More capacity is being added for smaller vessels
DP World is now expanding Dubai Maritime City’s capacity as demand continues to rise.
The facility is acquiring and refurbishing more than 500 vessel-support cradles, which will allow it to accommodate up to 60 small boats.
The expansion is designed to increase the range of vessels that can be handled at the site and support growing demand from yacht owners, leisure operators and other maritime businesses.
Abdulla Al Hashmi, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC, said the rising demand pointed to the expansion of the region’s maritime industries and the increasing need for specialised infrastructure.
Ahmed Al Hammadi, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Maritime City, also said the July performance reflected growing confidence among shipowners. According to DP World, the facility continues to invest in infrastructure, technology and equipment to respond to customer demand.
The additional capacity could help the site handle a larger number of vessels while offering more flexibility for operators needing repair and maintenance services.
Automation and AI are changing operations at the site
Expansion at Dubai Maritime City is not only focused on physical infrastructure.
DP World is also increasing automation across the facility as part of efforts to improve operational efficiency and safety.
Three vehicle gates have already been automated, digitising around 16,000 vehicle movements each week, according to the company.
The site has also introduced AI-based safety systems.
Work is under way to automate berth booking and reservation management as well. These changes are expected to make it easier to manage vessel movements and capacity as activity at the facility continues to grow.
The move fits into Dubai’s wider push towards digital services and automation across transport, logistics and infrastructure.
For maritime operators, faster and more efficient booking and site-management systems could help reduce administrative processes while improving visibility around available facilities and vessel movements.
Dubai’s maritime and logistics network continues to expand
The record at Dubai Maritime City comes as DP World continues to invest in maritime and logistics infrastructure across the UAE.
In July 2026, DP World announced plans to expand its UAE gateway network through proposed new terminals in Fujairah under an agreement in principle with Fujairah Ports Authority.
The proposed development includes facilities at Al Rugaylat and Dibba, adding further capacity for containers and general cargo on the UAE’s east coast.
DP World’s broader Marine Services business also reported revenue growth during the first half of 2026, adding further context to the increasing activity across its maritime operations.
Together, these developments show how the UAE continues to strengthen infrastructure across different parts of its coastline and logistics network.
Dubai Maritime City plays a more specialised role within that ecosystem by focusing on ship repair, maintenance, marine services and vessel support.
For UAE residents, the record may not directly change day-to-day life, but it highlights the continued expansion of one of Dubai’s key economic sectors.
The growth benefits shipowners, offshore operators, yacht owners, repair companies, suppliers and maritime workers who rely on specialised facilities.
It could also support wider economic activity by helping vessels spend less time out of service and giving operators access to maintenance facilities within Dubai.
The growing leisure-boat segment is also relevant to Dubai’s marine tourism and luxury sectors, which depend on a wider ecosystem of marinas, vessel services and maintenance providers.
The next phase will focus on how quickly Dubai Maritime City can bring its additional capacity and automated systems into operation as demand continues to rise.
FAQs
What record did Dubai Maritime City set?
Dubai Maritime City handled 52 vessels at its dry berths in a single day on 28 July 2026, according to DP World. It was the highest number of vessels received by the facility in one day.
How many vessels did Dubai Maritime City handle in July 2026?
The facility handled 202 vessels in July 2026, up 7% from 188 vessels during the same month in 2025.
Why are more vessels using Dubai Maritime City?
DP World attributed the increase to growing maintenance demand, particularly from offshore support vessels, as well as strong growth in the yacht and leisure-boat segment.
How much did dry-berth occupancy increase?
Overall dry-berth occupancy rose 22% year on year in July 2026. Occupancy in the yacht and leisure-boat segment increased by 88% year on year during the same month.
What expansion is planned at Dubai Maritime City?
The facility is acquiring and refurbishing more than 500 vessel-support cradles, which will allow it to accommodate up to 60 small boats. DP World is also expanding automation, including berth-booking and reservation-management systems.
Dubai Maritime City’s record 52-vessel day reflects rising demand for ship maintenance and marine services across commercial, offshore and leisure sectors. With additional capacity, automation and AI-based safety systems being introduced, the facility is preparing to support a growing volume and variety of vessels.
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