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Dubai’s DMC handles record 52 vessels in one day as activity rebounds
Dry berth occupancy rises 22% in July, while demand from yachts and pleasure craft jumps 88% as maritime hub expands capacity
- PUBLISHED: Mon 24 Aug 2026, 12:32 PM
Dubai Maritime City (DMC) handled a record 52 vessels in its dry berths in a single day, as demand for ship servicing increased across offshore and leisure segments.
The record was set on July 28, with DMC saying demand for vessel maintenance and repair has grown alongside increased regional oil and gas production.
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Dry berth occupancy where vessels are taken out of the water for inspection, maintenance and repair increased 22 per cent year on year in July.
The total number of vessels accommodated during the month rise 7 per cent to 202, from 188 a year earlier, with offshore vessels of up to 150 meters accounting for much of the increase.
Yacht demand jumps 88%
Demand from yachts and pleasure craft also increased, with dry berth occupancy for the segment jumping 88 per cent year on year in July and 110 per cent year to date.
Abdulla Al Hashmi Global COO Parks & Economic Zones at DP World, said the increase reflects growth across the region’s maritime industries and rising demand for specialized infrastructure.
He said continued investment in DMC is expanding capacity while supporting Dubai’s position as a maritime services hub.
Ahmed Alhammadi, COO of Dubai Maritime City, said the July performance reflected confidence from shipowners, with DMC continuing to invest in facilities, technology and equipment to meet customer demand.
expands for smaller vessels
DMC is also increasing capacity for smaller vessels by acquiring and retrofitting more than 500 ship cradle units, capable of accommodating up to 60 small craft boats.
The expansion will allow the facility to handle vessels ranging from yachts, leisure craft and traditional wooden dhows to commercial and offshore vessels.
The maritime hub is also increasing automation across its operations. Three vehicle gates have been automated, covering 16,000 vehicle movements each week, while AI based safety systems have been introduced and berth booking and reservation systems are being automated.
DMC said the investments are aimed at increasing the speed, safety and efficiency of its services while expanding its capacity to handle a wider range of vessels.
