Dubai activates New Year’s Eve 2026 marine traffic plan covering Marina, Harbour and Palm Jumeirah

Dubai maritime authorities have activated a comprehensive operational plan to manage marine traffic during New Year’s Eve 2026 celebrations, with measures aimed at ensuring safety and maintaining smooth navigation during one of the busiest periods of the year.

The Dubai Maritime Authority, part of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, announced the activation of the final operational plan as part of its proactive approach to enhancing maritime safety and regulating vessel movement across Dubai waters.

The Authority confirmed that implementation of the plan will begin on the evening of Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

It will be fully in effect from 10pm on December 31, 2025 until 2am on January 1, 2026.

Dubai NYE maritime plan

Integrated field operational measures will regulate marine traffic in high-density areas, particularly around Dubai Marina, Dubai Harbour, and Palm Jumeirah, where vessel concentrations are expected to peak during New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The plan includes the application of a one-way navigation system before and after midnight, alongside a temporary suspension of navigation during the transition period into the new year.

Marine traffic beneath the Palm Jumeirah bridges will be closed during peak hours from 10pm on December 31, 2025 until 2am on January 1, 2026.

Vessels will be classified by size, with clearly defined routes and mandatory time windows assigned to each category to ensure orderly movement and reduce congestion and collision risks.

Maritime safety plan

Sheikh Dr. Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Executive Director of Dubai Maritime Authority, stated that the measures reflect the Authority’s commitment to maintaining the highest maritime safety standards and ensuring navigational fluidity in high-density areas.

He said the plan aligns with Dubai’s position as a global destination for major celebrations and events, where safe and efficient maritime operations are critical during peak activity periods.

Sheikh Dr. Saeed added that patrol and monitoring teams will operate around the clock in coordination with relevant entities to ensure compliance with issued instructions and to monitor violations.

Legal action will be taken immediately against offenders in accordance with approved laws and regulations.

He noted that the plan includes strict controls on anchoring and drifting, regulation of mooring areas, and prevention of violations within navigation channels.

Full compliance with international regulations for preventing collisions at sea will be enforced, including maintaining safe distances between vessels and avoiding route changes except in extreme emergency cases.

Guidance for vessel operators

The Authority stressed that all vessel owners, maritime agents, marinas, yacht clubs, and recreational boat operators must fully comply with the approved operational plan and instructions to ensure a safe and organised maritime environment during New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Dubai Maritime Authority also advised all marine vessel users and sea-goers to carefully assess current and forecast weather conditions before and during marine trips, citing the possibility of unstable or adverse weather during New Year’s Eve 2026.

As part of the plan’s implementation, the Authority held a specialised coordination workshop with strategic partners and marine marinas across Dubai. The workshop reviewed operational readiness and institutional integration to secure maritime navigation safety during the celebrations.

Discussions covered maritime routes and movement schedules, mechanisms for managing navigational flow, vessel movement planning, patrol and monitoring arrangements, and operational coordination among concerned entities.

The sessions also addressed anchoring rules, approved maritime zones, compliance monitoring mechanisms, enforcement of penalties, communication protocols, emergency procedures, and potential maritime bottleneck locations.

The Authority said the coordinated approach ensures the application of systems and regulations governing marine vessel movement during New Year’s Eve 2026, supporting the highest levels of safety and smooth maritime traffic flow in Dubai waters.