Mansour bin Mohammed reviews the plan to organize maritime navigation during New Year’s Eve

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Border Security Council, reviewed the comprehensive plan prepared by the Dubai Maritime Authority to regulate maritime traffic during New Year’s Eve celebrations, in the meeting that His Highness chaired during his visit to the main headquarters of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation.

His Highness was received by: His Excellency Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World Group, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, Sheikh Dr. Saeed Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Dubai Maritime Authority of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, His Excellency Nasser Al Neyadi, CEO of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation in Dubai, His Excellency Omar Al Adidi, Secretary General of the Dubai Ports and Border Security Council, and representatives of the General Department of Identity and Foreigners Affairs. In Dubai, Dubai Police, Dubai Customs, Civil Defense, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, and a number of leaders and officials from relevant authorities.

During the meeting, the plan for regulating maritime navigation on New Year’s Eve was reviewed, in light of the continued growth in the movement of visiting foreign maritime vessels and yachts, which in recent years has witnessed a significant increase in the number of permits granted, which reflects the advanced position that Dubai enjoys as a preferred destination for luxury yachts and international maritime tourism. The presentation also addressed mechanisms for managing this increasing demand by determining maritime traffic routes, organizing berthing areas, and monitoring potential crowding sites, ensuring smooth navigation during one of the most popular nights for visitors throughout the year in light of Dubai’s global status.

His Highness also reviewed the procedures adopted to facilitate the entry and movement of visiting foreign yachts for the purposes of excursion and tourism, within an integrated system that relies on close coordination between the Dubai Maritime Authority, Dubai Customs, the General Administration of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, and the security authorities, which contributes to completing arrival and departure procedures with high efficiency, with full compliance with the applicable regulations and instructions. This integration contributed to enhancing the readiness of the approved tourist marinas and ensuring their commitment to registering and following up the movement of maritime vessels electronically.

Early preparation

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum praised the early preparation and integrated coordination among the concerned authorities for this event, which reflects Dubai’s approach to managing major events in accordance with the highest regulatory and security standards, ensuring safety for all, and enhancing public and visitors’ confidence in the integrated maritime traffic management system. His Highness pointed out the importance of continuing to develop operational and security plans, and enhancing integration between the concerned authorities, in keeping with the rapid growth in the maritime sector, and reflecting the image of Dubai as a pioneering city in regulation, safety, and innovation.

For his part, Executive Director of the Dubai Maritime Authority, Sheikh Dr. Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, stressed that Dubai is continuing to consolidate its leadership as a global center for safe and sustainable maritime activities, stressing that the maritime traffic management plan during New Year’s Eve 2026, in cooperation with strategic partners, aims to manage this global event with high efficiency, despite the noticeable increase in the number of participating maritime vessels, as the lessons learned have been documented and included in future operational manuals, in a way that enhances the sustainability of readiness. It consolidates Dubai’s position as a safe global maritime destination to receive major events and visiting foreign yachts.