In a strategic move to enhance short-stay yachting visits, further reinforce the city’s position as a global yachting destination, and put the city at the forefront of the global trend of seamless waterfront dining, the Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA) at the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) have launched an innovative Dock & Dine initiative.

Encompassing 20 of the top marinas and marine stations in the city, the initiative represents the most comprehensive marina dining concept in the region and directly advances the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for business and leisure.

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Curated selection

Dock & Dine is tailored for those seeking to dock for a short stay and enjoy the finest waterfront dining experiences, and enables yacht owners, crews, and guests to access a curated selection of restaurants, luxury hotels, cultural attractions and entertainment directly from the city’s marinas.

Guests can sail to different docks and restaurants, enjoying a diverse range of excellent cuisines served in beautiful settings – all within a convenient 45-minute to one-hour radius from each other.

Among the major benefits provided by the Dock & Dine initiative are free moorage at participating marinas and marine stations; a rapid booking response time with a reservation window of just five minutes to one hour; direct communication with restaurants for advanced table arrangements; and dedicated dock tenders to facilitate smooth drop-off and pick-up processes.

With the streamlining of regulations, a standardised process has been rolled out citywide, ensuring a consistent and hassle-free experience for both yacht visitors and marina operators.

Sheikh Dr Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, CEO of the Dubai Maritime Authority, said: “The Dock & Dine initiative represents the forward-thinking approach that has defined Dubai’s maritime development. With strong guidance from our visionary leadership and a spirit of close cooperation between government and industry partners, we have harmonised marina regulations and enhanced operational processes across the board.

“This not only improves the arrival experience for foreign-flagged vessels but also ensures every yacht guest enjoys streamlined access and world-class service. Working alongside the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), we are proud to galvanise the yachting sector, support tourism growth, and contribute to Dubai’s dynamic economy. The Dock & Dine initiative reflects our commitment to exceptional service, safety, and innovation – key pillars that are essential in driving Dubai’s position as a global yachting and tourism destination.”

Vibrant calendar

By simplifying access to these amenities, the initiative enhances the yachting experience, particularly during the peak winter season from October to April, when Dubai’s tranquil waters, warm climate, and vibrant calendar of events attract a growing number of international visitors including those seeking unique culinary and maritime adventures.

With more than 4,000 berths across its extensive network of marinas and marine stations, Dubai is uniquely equipped to accommodate a diverse range of vessels, from pleasure craft to superyachts.

Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, said: “This initiative marks a pivotal moment in Dubai’s maritime journey and is a testament to visionary leadership that has transformed Dubai into a global yachting hub.

“By establishing convenient connections between our world-class marinas and dining experiences, we are enriching the wide-ranging value proposition that positions Dubai as the ideal base for international yacht tourism and a must-visit destination.

The programme also exemplifies our commitment to fostering partnerships with industry leaders like the Dubai Maritime Authority, further elevating the yachting experience. The continuous public-private sector collaboration is shaping a vibrant, sustainable yachting ecosystem that benefits residents and visitors, the environment, and our economy, aligning with the D33 agenda while advancing our ambition to make Dubai the world’s best city to visit, live, and work in.”

Read: Dubai now has two restaurants with 3 MICHELIN stars, see details

Marinas participating in the Dock & Dine initiative

The marinas participating in the Dock & Dine initiative include: Al Seef Marina, Bulgari Marina, Creek Marina Yacht Club, Dubai Islands Marina, Dubai Creek Marina, Dubai Harbour Marinas, Dubai Marina Yacht Club, Jebel Ali Marina, Jewel of the Creek Marina, Jumeirah 1 Marina, Mina Rashid Marina, Marasi Bay Marina, Marsa Al Arab Marina, Palm Azure Jetty, Palm East Vista Mare Jetty, Palm Jumeirah Marina, Palm West Club Jetty, Port De La Mer Marina, Umm Suqeim 1 Marina, and Umm Suqeim 2 Marina.

The launch of the initiative underlines the strong synergy between yachting and gastronomy sectors, allowing guests to disembark and enjoy signature waterfront dining experiences.

It comes amid increasing global recognition for Dubai’s vibrant food and beverage offerings, with the recently-announced fourth edition of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai featuring a total of 119 restaurants.

This unique concept highlights Dubai’s remarkable progress in developing a comprehensive nautical ecosystem, driven by close collaboration between the government and private sectors and sustained investment in state-of-the-art maritime infrastructure.

The city’s marinas offer advanced maintenance and repair facilities, marine services, specialty shops, and wellness centres, catering to the needs of yachting enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.

Dubai’s strategic location between East and West, combined with simplified entry procedures and tailored visa packages, also ensures a seamless arrival experience for foreign-flagged vessels, which can remain in Dubai waters for up to six months.

Under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has announced a cabinet reshuffle.

The reshuffle confirms Ahmed Al Sayegh as Minister of Health and Prevention, while AbdulRahman bin Mohamed Al Owais will continue in his role as Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs.

Al Sayegh has served as Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since September 2018, leading the Ministry’s economic and commercial affairs portfolio with a focus on the UAE’s economic diversification strategy. He also managed bilateral relations with Asian nations and members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), strengthening strategic partnerships and expanding investment opportunities.

Read: Important information: UAE’s health ministry cuts services by half

Beyond his ministerial responsibilities, Al Sayegh is a member of the board of directors and executive committee at Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), a board member of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), vice chairman of Emirates Nature–WWF, and co-chair of the UAE-UK Business Council.

His previous leadership roles span both public and private sectors, including chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), chairman of Aldar Properties, chairman of Masdar, board member of Etihad Airways Group, board member of Mubadala Investment Company, and vice chairman of First Gulf Bank. He also held senior positions at ADNOC and the Abu Dhabi Investment Company.

Al Sayegh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Lewis & Clark College in the US.

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) said on Monday it will host more than 135 major exhibitions, conferences and consumer events between September and December.

Flagship events include GITEX Global, WETEX, Big 5 Global and BeautyWorld Middle East, alongside large-scale trade shows and international association meetings spanning technology, sustainability, healthcare, energy, construction, transport, food and beverage, finance and education.

Mahir Julfar, EVP at DWTC, said the line-up builds on a strong first half of the year. “Through this dynamic calendar, we are reinforcing Dubai’s role as a catalyst for global commerce while advancing the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) to position Dubai among the top three economic cities in the world,” Julfar said.

DWTC: List of events ahead in H2

September will open with Paper Arabia, followed by entertainment events Comedy Mixtape 2025 and Matt Redman Live.

Other highlights include the Universal Postal Union Congress Dubai, WHX Tech, The Gulf Bride Show and a series of manufacturing and materials expos mid-month.

The month closes with WETEX (September 30–October 2).

October features the World Green Economy Summit, Najah Exhibition, AccessAbilities Expo, AGRA Middle East and The Forex Expo, before GITEX Global (October 13–17).

Later in the month, Dubai will host healthcare-focused meetings including the Annual Radiology Meeting and Healthcare Future Summit, followed by BeautyWorld Middle East and Wellness & Spa Exhibition.

November brings Gulfood Manufacturing, GESS, Paperworld Middle East, World Tobacco, ICOM 25, The Mining Show, and Middle East Organic and Natural Products Expo.

The month concludes with the Big 5 Global construction cluster and related industry events.

December will see the 19th World Congress of Neurosurgery and Automechanika Dubai, followed by trade shows such as Asia Baby Children Maternity Exhibition, China Home Life, and International Appliance and Electronics Show.

The year will close with Jewellery & Bride Arabia.

Read: DWTC execs reveal ambitious plans for Dubai Exhibition Centre

Sotheby’s, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), has announced an exclusive programme of auctions, exhibitions, masterclasses, and panel discussions set to take place in the UAE capital. The series will culminate this December with the inaugural Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week, positioning the emirate as a rising global hub for culture, art, and luxury.

The first auction will take place in October during The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ, with a schedule of events leading up to Collectors’ Week from 2–5 December. The programme will feature sales across high jewellery, rare timepieces, collector cars, and exclusive real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions. A museum-quality exhibition of international fine art will also anchor the week at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

Josh Pullan, global head of Sotheby’s Luxury Division, said: “At Sotheby’s, we have taken incredible strides to cement our position as a global powerhouse for luxury. This unprecedented auction week – and all of the events that will lead up to it – is poised to showcase the very best of what Sotheby’s has to offer, and we are thrilled to already be able to announce that the week will be anchored by a single-owner collection replete with top quality jewellery and watches, alongside unparalleled automobiles. With the Middle East – and the UAE in particular – as one of the most dynamic drivers of the luxury industry, we could have chosen no better home to do this than Abu Dhabi.”

The auctions coincide with one of Abu Dhabi’s busiest weeks, which also includes the Formula One Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Finance Week, Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit 2025, and Bitcoin MENA – further cementing the city’s status as a magnet for international collectors and investors.

Among the headline lots is a landmark collaboration between RM Sotheby’s and McLaren Racing. The auction will feature the sale of three future competition cars under the “Triple Crown” project: a 2026 McLaren Formula 1 Team car, a 2027 McLaren United AS World Endurance Championship racer, and a 2026 Arrow McLaren IndyCar Indianapolis 500 entry. The lots, to be auctioned on 5 December, include VIP experiences such as McLaren site tours and preferential access to future car purchases.

Other highlights include a 2017 Pagani Zonda 760 Riviera, estimated at $9.5–10.5m, and a rare 2010 Aston Martin One-77, valued between $1.3–1.6m. Both models exemplify the high-performance automotive segment targeted at global collectors.

At the heart of Collectors’ Week will be a single-owner jewellery and watch collection, estimated to achieve over $20 million. Leading the sale is The Desert Rose, a 31.86-carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink Diamond with an estimated value of $5–7m, introduced earlier this year at Sotheby’s Beyond: The World’s Rarest Diamonds exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

Timepiece highlights include a Rolex “Oyster Albino” Daytona reference 6263, produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s, estimated at $500,000–1m. With fewer than a handful of examples known globally, the model remains one of the most coveted vintage Rolexes on the market.

Sale highlights will travel to Sotheby’s global locations ahead of the auctions, ensuring international exposure and drawing buyers from across the world to Abu Dhabi in December.

RAK Properties, the emirate’s leading publicly listed real estate developer, has announced a strategic partnership with Hubpay, a UAE-based fintech regulated by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), to enable international property transactions using digital assets.

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The collaboration positions RAK Properties to attract a new wave of international investors interested in purchasing real estate in Ras Al Khaimah using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT), and others. Hubpay’s platform instantly converts digital asset payments into UAE dirhams and settles them directly into RAK Properties’ account, providing a seamless and secure experience.

This move aligns with RAK Properties’ goal of expanding its investment appeal, particularly for its flagship Mina Al Arab community, and supports the emirate’s growing reputation as a forward-thinking destination for real estate investment.

Innovation aligned with Vision 2030

The partnership comes as Ras Al Khaimah pushes forward with its Vision 2030 strategy, aiming to attract international investors and develop world-class infrastructure. RAK Properties’ adoption of digital asset payments reflects this ambition and coincides with the company’s 20th anniversary.

“Our new partnership with Hubpay is another step forward in our strategy of innovation and accessibility,” said Rahul Jogani, CFO at RAK Properties. “By enabling the use of digital assets, we are engaging a new ecosystem of investment-savvy, digital-first clients while reinforcing RAK Properties’ position as a trusted and forward-thinking master developer.”

Regulated and compliant transactions

RAK Properties will not directly handle any digital currencies. Instead, all transactions will be processed through Hubpay and its partners licensed by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), ensuring compliance and transparency throughout the process.

“This partnership allows a leading real estate developer like RAK Properties to reach a new class of global buyers,” said Kevin Kilty, CEO of Hubpay. “Our regulated solution ensures high-value transactions are conducted securely and compliantly, providing peace of mind to international clients.”

Construction at the Mina Al Arab waterfront development continues at pace, with more than 800 units scheduled for delivery by the end of the year. The integration of digital asset payments is expected to further boost the project’s appeal to a broader range of investors from the UAE and overseas.