The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) was established in July 2007 by a decree from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the UAE Vice president, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, as a major step in the direction of establishing a world-class maritime legislative and regulatory body in Dubai.
The Authority will gradually and steadily play a major and a leadership role in regulating and addressing all maritime related activities, challenges and business needs, for both the local and the global maritime audiences alike. The law tasks DMCA to enhance Dubai's position in the maritime industry, and to oversee the development of specific maritime sectors such as maritime services, maritime management, vessel and yacht registration, vessel and yacht ownership and charter, maritime and educational research, vessel and yacht design and building, maritime shipment organization, maritime exhibition, conferences, training and workshops; maritime tourism and maritime specialized arbitration.