Abu dhabi: Dubai Maritime City (DMC), an integrated maritime services and ship repair hub, recorded 52 vessels in its dry berths on 28th July 2026, marking the highest number in a single day. This surge is attributed to the growing demand for vessel servicing, which aligns with the increased regional oil and gas production.
According to Emirates News Agency, dry-berth occupancy, which involves lifting vessels out of the water for inspection, maintenance, and repair, saw a 22% year-on-year increase in July. Additionally, the total number of vessels accommodated during the month rose by 7%, going from 188 to 202.
Offshore vessels up to 150 meters in length were significant contributors to this increase, as operators focused on servicing fleets to ensure they remain operationally ready. The demand from yachts and pleasure crafts also saw a notable rise, with dry-berth occupancy increasing by 88% year-on-year in July and 110% year-to-date.
Abdulla Al Hashmi, Global COO of Parks and Economic Zones at DP World, remarked on the situation, stating, "Growing demand at DMC reflects the continued expansion of the region's maritime industries and the need for specialised infrastructure to support them. Our investment in DMC is helping build that capacity while strengthening Dubai's position as a hub for maritime services and supporting the wider ecosystem that connects industry, trade, and logistics."
Ahmed Alhammadi, COO of DMC, added, "July's strong performance reflects the confidence shipowners place in Dubai Maritime City. Our priority is to ensure DMC has the capacity and capability to respond to customers when they need us most, and that is why we continue to invest in the facilities, technology, and equipment that the maritime industry depends on."
DMC is expanding its capacity for smaller vessels by acquiring and retrofitting over 500 ship cradle units. These units can accommodate up to 60 small craft boats, enabling the facility to handle a variety of vessels, including yachts, leisure craft, traditional wooden dhows, and commercial and offshore vessels.
In addition to expanding capacity, DMC is enhancing automation across its operations. This includes the automation of three vehicle gates, digitising 16,000 vehicle movements weekly. AI-based safety systems have been introduced, and berth booking and reservation systems are being automated, reinforcing DMC's status as a leading ship repair and maritime services hub in the region.