As food security and supply chain resilience climb the regional agenda, logistics providers are being challenged to build more flexible and reliable routes for essential commodities. Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC Group) is responding to that demand by expanding its cold chain capabilities beyond traditional warehousing and transportation, establishing a new route for frozen cargo into Qatar through Oman.

The company has successfully completed one of its first frozen bulk vessel operations, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of its regional temperature-controlled logistics platform. The achievement extends GWC’s capabilities across the entire cold chain, from vessel handling and specialised storage to cross-border transportation and distribution.

Unlike conventional frozen imports into Oman, which typically arrive in standard containers, a frozen bulk vessel operation demands stringent temperature control at every stage of the process. Cargo must be rapidly offloaded, transferred into temperature-controlled environments and dispatched through carefully managed distribution channels while maintaining product integrity throughout the journey.

For GWC, the successful execution of the operation demonstrated not only operational expertise but also the advantages of an increasingly interconnected GCC logistics network.

Matthew Kearns, CEO of GWC Group.

“This operation demonstrates what our regional network is designed to do,” said Matthew Kearns, CEO of GWC Group. “By connecting our capabilities in Oman with our established infrastructure in Qatar, we are creating additional routes for temperature-sensitive goods into the country whilst strengthening resilience across the wider supply chain. As we grow across the GCC, our operations are increasingly working as one network, connecting markets and strengthening the infrastructure behind regional cold chain flows.”

The success of the initial shipment quickly translated into further business opportunities. Following delivery of the first operation, the customer awarded GWC a second and significantly larger project, representing the largest frozen bulk vessel operation handled by the group to date. The relationship has since expanded further, with GWC securing a long-term cold storage agreement that broadens its role from vessel handling to ongoing storage and regional distribution.

The development reflects a broader trend across Gulf logistics markets, where food importers and distributors are seeking diversified supply routes and dependable cold chain partners capable of managing increasingly complex regional flows.

Beyond maritime operations, GWC has also strengthened its overland cold chain network. The company recently began transporting frozen poultry products by road from Barka in Oman to both Qatar and Kuwait, supporting the movement of temperature-sensitive cargo across Gulf markets. Combined volumes have now exceeded 1,000 truckloads of frozen goods handled, stored and distributed across GCC markets, including Qatar.

GWC’s cold chain and logistics services are supported by a freight network that reaches more than 120 countries through over 550 international partners.

Maintaining product quality throughout these journeys requires highly specialised infrastructure and operational discipline, particularly when cargo crosses multiple borders and climates.

“Frozen bulk vessel handling demands strict, uninterrupted temperature control from port offloading through storage and cross-border transportation,” said Haitham Al Rawahi, General Manager of GWC Oman Operations. “Our teams in Oman delivered this complex operation without compromise, supported by GWC Group’s specialised assets and technical expertise.”

The expansion of the Oman operation also highlights the growing importance of GWC’s regional footprint. The company has continued investing in an integrated logistics platform that links facilities and services across Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Bahrain. As a result, the net revenue contribution from its international operations has tripled over the past two years, underlining the increasing role of cross-border logistics in the group’s growth strategy.

Today, GWC’s cold chain and logistics services are supported by a freight network that reaches more than 120 countries through over 550 international partners. Across the GCC, the group operates more than four million square metres of logistics infrastructure, supported by over 1,600 specialised vehicles and 20 strategic locations. Collectively, these assets facilitate the movement of more than two million tonnes of freight annually.

As Gulf economies continue to prioritise food security, supply chain diversification and regional trade integration, investments in advanced cold chain infrastructure are becoming increasingly critical. GWC’s latest frozen cargo operations demonstrate how logistics providers are leveraging regional networks to create new trade corridors, improve supply chain resilience and ensure reliable access to temperature-sensitive products across the GCC.