Maritime law reforms in the UAE: a review of the 2023 amendments to vessel registration and arrest procedures

An integral part of the international trade network, the maritime sector contributes to the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) economic growth. In recent years, the UAE has made substantial maritime law changes, particularly with vessel arrest and registration. This article takes a close look at the new marine law (Federal Decree no. 43 of 2023), which represents a major update to the legal system governing the maritime sector. These new legislative revisions extend the basis for a wider range of marine claims and streamline processing to make arrests more efficient and transparent. Therefore, this article emphasizes the important changes, especially considering the 1952 and 1999 Arrest Conventions, that aim to lower legal uncertainty, protect business interests, and strike a balance between creditors’ and vessel owners’ rights. Moreover, in light of the potential benefits and drawbacks of these legislative changes, this article delves into the future of the UAE’s marine industry and how it will affect various players. Although this article concludes that the UAE’s maritime legal infrastructure has taken a giant leap forward thanks to the provision pertaining to vessel arrests, it does not completely rule out the possibility of diligent monitoring and additional analysis to determine how well it works in reality.