Calculate the exact government registration fees, visa quotas, banking options, and corporate tax substance rules for a Maritime & Shipping company in RAK Maritime City, Dubai.
A Maritime & Shipping company in RAK Maritime City, Dubai, costs from AED 10,000 in Year 1, covering government registration and license fees. Registration takes 2-4 working days and bank-account approval is 83%. It suits Maritime services, ship building, port operations in RAK.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 10,000 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Maritime services, ship building, port operations in RAK | |
Dubai Maritime CitySourced from public records | AED 12,000 | 3-5 days | Moderate | Maritime services, ship repair, marine engineering |
Hamriyah Free ZoneSourced from public records | AED 12,000 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Industrial and trading, deep-water port access, heavy industries |
Fujairah Free ZoneSourced from public records | AED 21,500 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Low-cost setup, port access, industrial and trading activities |
JAFZA - Jebel Ali Free Zone AuthoritySourced from public records | AED 40,211 | 3-5 days | Easy | Largest free zone, logistics hub, port access, trading and industrial activities |
DMCC - Dubai Multi Commodities CentreSourced from public records | AED 49,004 | 3-5 days | Easy | Premium Dubai address, commodities trading, highest international recognition |
Maritime services, ship building, port operations in RAK
Maritime licences cover shipping, ship management, yacht chartering, and marine services. Dubai Maritime City, JAFZA, and Hamriyah Free Zone are popular choices. UAE Federal Transport Authority or Dubai Maritime Authority approval may be required depending on the vessel type and activity. Ship registration under the UAE flag follows a separate process.
Maritime transport services qualify as a qualifying free zone activity. International maritime transport is zero-rated for VAT. Domestic maritime transport services within the UAE may attract 5% VAT.
Maritime companies should prepare for enhanced due diligence related to sanctions screening and vessel ownership verification. Banks will request vessel registration documents, flag state certificates, and crew manifests. Trade finance facilities are essential for shipping operations.
Premium rates. Office rents range from AED 80 to AED 300+ per sq ft. Flexi-desks are widely available starting from AED 8,000/year.
World-class. Home to Jebel Ali Port (world's 9th largest) and DXB (world's busiest international hub), offering seamless air-sea connections.
Exceptionately diverse and highly skilled global talent. High concentration of professionals in tech, finance, marketing, and logistics.
Feb 2026: APT Global announced AED 50M investment for 700K sqft fabrication facility
2025: Launch of Saqr 2.0 port expansion supporting heavy cargo operations
2019: RAK Ports integrated Maritime City under RAK Government
Company setup in RAK Maritime City starts from AED 10,000 per year.
RAK Maritime City processes company registrations in 2-4 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 83%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including RAK Maritime City allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
RAK Maritime City does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
Used the calculator to compare Meydan with five other zones — the Year 1 cost breakdown and banking scores made the choice clear in under 5 minutes.
Needed to see exactly what I was paying for at RAKEZ versus other zones. The itemized fee breakdown — license, visa, sponsorship — made the comparison transparent.
Wanted clarity on banking approval rates and substance rules by zone. The zone-specific banking data was something I couldn't find on any agent's website.
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