Dubai Maritime City, one of DP World UAE Region flagship developments, inaugurated its new Maritime Business Centre 2 (MBC-2) on Friday, 22 May 2026. The AED160 million premium commercial tower expands Grade A office capacity within Dubai maritime and trade ecosystem, according to the UAE Government Media Office.
Delivered in 20 months, the project arrived with 78 percent of its space leased before opening, a figure DP World cited as evidence of strong demand for high-quality commercial space in well-connected business districts across Dubai. The new tower sits in the Commercial District of Dubai Maritime City, on the waterfront between Port Rashid and Dubai Drydocks.
What the tower delivers
MBC-2 introduces 125 premium office units ranging from 40 to 980 square metres, all with waterfront views. Tenants can choose between fully fitted plug-and-play units for immediate occupancy or shell-and-core offices that can be customised to operational and branding requirements. The tower also houses a wellness floor with a gym, recreational areas, retail outlets, food and beverage spaces and 480 parking bays, including dedicated spaces for electric and hybrid vehicles and for People of Determination. Smart building systems are designed to reduce energy consumption across the asset.
Dubai Maritime City headquarters, together with the licensing department of the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), have officially relocated into MBC-2, consolidating regulatory and commercial functions under one roof for maritime operators.
Why it matters for the maritime sector
The inauguration reinforces Dubai positioning as a hub for shipping, ship management, marine services and maritime finance. By adding purpose-built Grade A stock with direct waterfront access, Dubai Maritime City aims to attract more international maritime firms to base their regional operations in the emirate. The 78 percent pre-leasing rate, disclosed by DP World, suggests the supply gap for specialised maritime office space was real rather than speculative.
The project sits inside Dubai Maritime City broader masterplan, a mixed-use cluster designed around marine industries, yacht manufacturing, ship repair and maritime professional services. With MBC-2 now operational, DP World says the development continues to build a self-contained ecosystem where regulators, operators and service providers share the same waterfront address.
Sources:UAE Government Media Office,DP World press release,Gulf Today,Zawya.
