The Dubai Government has issued the Law No. (11) of 2007 establishing The Dubai Maritime City with the aim of gradually incorporating the ship repair and maritime services companies located at Jaddaf Dubai. Based on the new law, the Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) will be able to levy fees and register vessels and professionals in the maritime sector, set up a maritime arbitration centre as well as become a centre for marine insurance and re-insurance. The law stipulates that the facility will be managed by the (DMCA) which will be affiliated with the ports and free zone corporations. According to the new law, the (DMCA) shall aim to enhance the position of the Emirate and to make it a centre without limitation of the maritime services and management; yacht & vessel registration; vessel & yacht ownership and charter; maritime and educational research; vessel & yacht design and building; maritime shipment organization; maritime exhibitions, conferences, trainings and workshop; maritime tourism; and maritime specialized arbitration.

The administration of the authority shall consist of a Chairman, an Executive Director, and the Executive Staff. The Chairman of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zones Corporation shall be the chairman of the authority. The Executive Director of the authority shall be appointed and his powers shall be specified by resolution of the Chairman, according to the new law. Article (9) of the new law states that violations of any provisions of the same, the regulations issued hereunder or any terms of any license issued by the authority, shall be subject to the civil penalties specified by the special regulations issued by the Chairman. Article (10) of the said law states that the Chairman shall issue all the rules, regulations, and resolutions necessary for the operation and administration of the city. On its article (11) the law states that the authority may vest in anyone or more corporate person (s) (hereinafter the operators) the administration and operation of all or any of the operations carried out in the land of the city, including investment and development of the authority's funds. The law states that the authority may enter into contracts for transfer, assignment, mortgage, or otherwise disposal of the assets of the authority on the terms and for the purposes considered proper by the authority. The Chairman shall sign all the necessary documents and contracts with the operator (s). The further states that the authority shall not be responsible for the debts and liabilities of the operator (s) or any other parties.

According to the article (12) of the new law, the authority's land shall not be governed, in relation to their operations, by the local rules and regulations of Dubai Municipality, Department of Economic Development, Rent Committee, Department of Tourism and Commercial Marketing, Road and Transportation Authority, or the authorities and entities with their respective jurisdictions. According to the new legislation, the (DMCA) shall license all types of maritime activities or activities related and including the following: 1.) Vessel & Yacht Ownership, 2.) Operation of Vessels, 3.) Shipping Agencies, 4.) Vessel & Shipment Charter and Brokerage, 5.) Loading & Unloading Cargo, 6.) Maritime Classification Entities, 7.) Maritime Surveyors and Inspectors, 8.) Maritime Insurance, 9.) Maritime Finance, and 10.) Shipment Organization Entities.