UAE motorists are entering June with a clearer picture of what to expect on the roads as new fuel prices, updated parking charges and Salik fees come into effect. While some driving costs are set to rise, Dubai is also advancing its smart mobility agenda with fully cashless parking payments, making it easier for motorists to manage their journeys through digital channels.

With petrol prices rising for a fourth consecutive month and new VAT charges kicking in from June 1, here is a guide to what motorists can expect and how much more they may end up paying.

Fuel prices rise again in June

Petrol prices have increased steadily since March, and June brings another hike.

New fuel prices for June 2026 are:

• • Super 98: Dh3.95 per litre (up from Dh3.66 in May)
• • Special 95: Dh3.83 per litre (up from Dh3.55)
• • E-Plus 91: Dh3.76 per litre (up from Dh3.48)

Diesel prices have offered some relief, easing to Dh4.33 per litre from Dh4.69 the previous month, providing a slight offset amid broader fuel and transport cost changes.

While the increase is smaller than the sharp jump seen during the Iran conflict, motorists will still pay more at the pump. Petrol prices are now almost 50 per cent higher than in February, when Super 98 cost Dh2.45 per litre. 

Dubai parking charges to increase

From June 1, Parkin will apply a 5 per cent VAT to all parking services in line with UAE tax regulations.

The tax will apply to:

• On-street parking
• Off-street parking
• Seasonal parking cards
• Parking permits
• Reservations

The underlying parking tariffs remain unchanged, but VAT will be added to the final amount paid by motorists.

How much will parking cost now?

Premium parking during peak hours:

• Current: Dh6 per hour
• New: Dh6.30 per hour

Standard parking:

• Current: Dh4 per hour
• New: Dh4.20 per hour

Lower-tariff zones:

• Dh3 becomes Dh3.15
• Dh2 becomes Dh2.10

Peak parking hours remain:

• 6am to 10am
• 4pm to 8pm

What remains free?

Motorists will still enjoy free parking between 1am and 6am.

In most public parking zones, Sundays and public holidays remain free unless otherwise indicated.

Salik toll fees also rise

VAT will now apply to all Salik toll crossings and tag activation charges.

New Salik charges:

Peak hours:

• Current: Dh6
• New: Dh6.30

Off-peak hours:

• Current: Dh4
• New: Dh4.20

Sunday crossings:

• Current: Dh4
• New: Dh4.20

Late-night crossings between 1am and 6am remain free.

Salik tag activation becomes more expensive

The Salik tag activation fee rises from Dh50 to Dh52.50 after VAT.

Drivers purchasing new tags should expect a slightly higher overall cost, depending on how VAT is applied to eligible service charges.

Dubai goes cashless for parking payments

Another major change arrives on June 1 as Dubai phases out cash payments at parking meters.

Motorists will no longer be able to pay using coins or paper notes at physical parking machines.

Parking can instead be paid through:

• 
  nol cards
• Parkin app
• SMS parking service
• Dubai Now app
• RTA app

What changes for motorists

From June 1, UAE motorists will pay more for fuel, parking and tolls, while cash parking payments become a thing of the past in Dubai.

For occasional drivers, the increases may only add a few dirhams each month. However, daily commuters who regularly use Salik gates, premium parking zones and petrol-powered vehicles are likely to feel the impact more significantly as transport costs continue to climb.

GN

UAE State Security authorities announced they have dismantled a terrorist cell and arrested its members over alleged involvement in covert activities aimed at undermining national unity and destabilising the country.

According to the statement carried by Emirates News Agency (WAM), investigations revealed that the group had planned to carry out organised terrorist and sabotage operations on state territory. Authorities said the network was linked to Iran’s “Wilayat Al Faqih”.

Investigations also found that members of the group had adopted extremist ideologies that pose a threat to internal security. They were said to have conducted recruitment and mobilisation activities through secret meetings, as part of a coordinated plan with external entities to gain access to sensitive sites.

Further monitoring and inquiries indicated that members held clandestine meetings both inside and outside the country with suspected terrorist elements and organisations, seeking to spread misleading ideas among Emirati youth and recruit them in support of external loyalties. 

The activities also included attempts to incite against the state’s foreign policy and internal measures, as well as efforts to portray the country negatively.

Authorities added that the group had collected funds through unofficial means and transferred them to suspicious entities abroad.

The charges brought against those arrested include establishing and operating a secret organisation within the country, pledging allegiance to external entities, and harming national unity and social stability.

State Security reaffirmed its commitment to confronting any threats to public safety, urging citizens and residents to report suspicious activities through official channels to support security and stability.

WAM

Keeping supermarket shelves stocked has become a logistics exercise playing out across ports, highways and international corridors, with operators reworking supply chains to ensure food and essential goods continue to reach the UAE without disruption.

At the centre of that effort is DP World, which has been prioritising critical cargo from the outset, working closely with government entities, traders and manufacturers to keep imports moving even as traditional shipping patterns face pressure.

In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Ahmad Yousef Al Hassan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC, said the approach has been structured around a clear hierarchy of needs, starting with food, pharma and agricultural inputs before moving to industrial supply chains that keep local production running.

“We work very closely with the government, especially a lot of the ministries, on the essential goods for the UAE. They fall into food and beverages, along with categories like milk, rice, animal feed and pharma,” he said.

Jebel Ali alone handled about 750,000 TEUs of essential goods last year, with roughly two-thirds tied to food and beverage shipments, providing a baseline for how much cargo needs to be protected during periods of disruption.

Mapping supply, not stockpiling

Instead of stockpiling, the focus has been on mapping demand and ensuring continuity of supply. Traders and manufacturers are being asked to identify their most critical imports, allowing DP World to prioritise cargo and route it through the fastest available channels.

“There’s enough essential goods, there’s no panic,” Al Hassan said, adding that the emphasis remains on keeping trade moving rather than building excess inventory.

That approach extends to sourcing as well. Where traditional suppliers face delays, alternative markets in India and Pakistan are being lined up, with feeder vessels used to move goods quickly into UAE ports. Other feeder operators have also been encouraged to follow the same prioritisation model to ease congestion and speed up turnaround times.

Cold chain gets added support

The fresh food supply has required additional intervention, particularly along longer inland routes. DP World has expanded refrigerated container capacity and introduced stopover solutions to maintain temperature control.

For instance, a dedicated inland facility has been introduced that allows refrigerated containers to plug in and stabilise before continuing their journey, reducing the risk of spoilage during extended transit.

“We have this reefer pit stop that will help out as well,” Al Hassan said, pointing to a broader push to reassure traders that temperature-sensitive cargo can be handled reliably.

Additional generator units have also been deployed to power refrigerated containers on trucks, giving logistics teams more flexibility across different corridors.

Global network steps in

The company’s international footprint is playing a central role in rerouting cargo flows. Ports in India and Pakistan are being used as staging points for transshipment, helping to keep eastern Gulf ports from becoming congested. For F&B alone, India and Pakistan together account for nearly 30% of the imports through Jebel Ali.

DP World is also using its integrated shipping and logistics solutions to design alternative routes and keep critical cargo moving efficiently across markets.

“This global network is what really pushes people to call us right away,” Al Hassan said, describing how customers are seeking real-time solutions to move construction materials, raw materials and food-related agricultural products.

Corridors expand across the region

Closer to home, multiple corridors are being activated to keep trade flowing. Routes through Fujairah and Khorfakkan are already operational, while discussions continue with Sohar Port in Oman to expand capacity and streamline processes.

Further north, DP World’s terminal in Jeddah is being used to absorb additional cargo, supported by ongoing talks between UAE and Saudi authorities to establish a bonded corridor that would allow smoother movement of goods between the two markets.

Each additional route adds flexibility for traders, reducing reliance on any single port or shipping lane.

Managing congestion to control costs

Even with supply holding steady, shipping and logistics costs have come under broader market pressure as diesel prices, insurance premiums, freight rates and other cost drivers evolve.

Al Hassan said that DP World’s focus is on keeping trade flowing efficiently and reducing congestion.

Faster clearance, better routing and coordinated planning help to ease pressures across the wider supply chain and limit the knock-on effect on end consumers.

Authorities are also closely monitoring prices, drawing on mechanisms developed during previous disruptions to maintain oversight across key categories.

Keeping the system balanced

The challenge is not only about moving food. Industrial supply chains must also remain active, from raw materials for manufacturing to equipment needed for ongoing projects.

Balancing these competing demands has required constant coordination among regulators, port operators, and private-sector players, ensuring that essential goods move first while maintaining sufficient capacity for broader trade.

The system has held so far, supported by a combination of planning, infrastructure and rapid decision-making.

That, according to Al Hassan, is what keeps shelves stocked without tipping into panic or shortage, even in a strained operating environment.

GN