NYE 2026: Dubai to implement mandatory marine traffic management plan

Image: Dubai Media Office

Dubai’s Maritime Authority said it will implement a mandatory marine traffic management plan during the 2026 New Year’s Eve celebrations to ensure safety and orderly movement across the emirate’s waterways.

The plan will be enforced during peak hours from 10 pm on December 31 to 2 am on January 1, 2026, the Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA), part of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said in a statement.

Sheikh Dr Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, executive director of the DMA, said the authority is committed to implementing an integrated marine traffic management plan during periods of heightened activity, particularly at the start and end of the calendar year, to safeguard visitors and those attending fireworks displays held over Dubai’s waters.

He called on vessel owners, agents, marinas and yacht clubs to brief crews and passengers in advance, stressing the importance of adhering to designated routes and maintaining safe distances while navigating.

The authority has issued a comprehensive guide alongside its navigational warning, including maps, timings and organisational instructions for marine movements on New Year’s Eve.

Dubai’s Maritime Authority has a comprehensive plan in place

With marine activity expected to increase, the DMA said it has developed a comprehensive plan based on a one-way traffic system, scheduled departure and return times according to vessel size, and specific arrangements for each marina.

The measures are designed to reduce congestion, limit collision risks and ensure smooth traffic flow in key locations, including Dubai Marina, Dubai Harbour Marina, the east and west marinas of Palm Jumeirah and the entrances to the Dubai Water Canal.

The authority said all marine vessels must comply fully with issued guidance and marina instructions and plan trips carefully in line with designated routes, weather conditions and vessel capabilities.

Navigational safety and adherence to collision-prevention regulations remain top priorities during the period, it added.

Sheikh Dr Saeed said that monitoring teams working with strategic partners will be deployed at key locations to ensure compliance. Vessel movements will be tracked using AIS systems, cameras and maritime patrols.

Violations will be subject to penalties under Dubai’s executive regulations governing vessel licensing, including potential suspension of vessel licences, captains or crew members.

He added that no accidents were recorded during previous New Year’s Eve celebrations, maintaining a zero incident rate.

The authority aims to preserve this record, reflecting Dubai’s capacity to manage large-scale events while ensuring the safety of residents and visitors on land and at sea.