A mandatory plan for managing maritime traffic in Dubai during New Year’s Eve

Yesterday, the Dubai Maritime Authority at the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation announced the implementation of a mandatory plan to manage maritime traffic in preparation for New Year’s Eve 2026 celebrations, with the aim of ensuring the highest levels of safety and organization in the various shipping lanes in the Emirate of Dubai, noting that the plan will be implemented during the peak period from ten o’clock in the evening on December 31, 2025 until two o’clock in the morning on January 1, 2026.

Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Dubai Maritime Authority, stressed the authority’s keenness to implement an integrated plan to manage maritime traffic, especially in seasons that witness heavy traffic of maritime vessels, especially during the end and beginning of the new Gregorian year, in order to ensure the safety and security of seagoers and those wishing to enjoy watching the fireworks displays that take place within the Dubai Sea.

He said: “Therefore, the Authority calls on marine craft owners, agents, marinas, and yacht clubs to begin circulating instructions to crews and passengers early, with the necessity of adhering to specified routes and maintaining safe distances while sailing. The Dubai Maritime Authority has issued a comprehensive guide attached to the navigation warning, which includes all maps, timings, and regulatory instructions for navigation traffic on New Year’s Eve.”

With expectations of an increase in the movement of marine vessels heading to the open sea, the Executive Director of the Dubai Maritime Authority explained that the Authority has prepared a comprehensive and integrated plan to regulate navigation traffic based on a one-way route system, scheduling the departure and return of vessels according to their sizes, and special arrangements for each marina. This organization aims to reduce traffic congestion at sea, avoid the risk of collision, and ensure the smooth flow of movement in key areas, including: “Dubai Marina,” “Dubai Harbor Marina,” and “Palm Jumeirah East Marinas.” Al Gharbiyah, and the entrances to the Dubai Water Canal.