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Mwani Qatar highlighted initiatives to empower women and expand their participation across sea transport and logistics roles to mark International Day for Women in Maritime.Mwani Qatar, through its official X account, underlined its continued efforts to empower women and strengthen their participation across all areas of maritime transport and services on this occasion, themed: “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence.”The move underlines a strategic shift from policy formulation to practical implementation, delivering measurable outcomes in workforce inclusion and development.Mwani Qatar also outlined its commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment that ensures equal opportunities for women across operational, technical, and administrative functions. The organisation stressed the importance of empowering women through targeted training, professional development programmes, and structured career pathways aligned with international maritime standards. It also highlighted the need to translate existing diversity policies into actionable frameworks that can be tracked and measured through increased female participation and institutional monitoring mechanisms.Qatar’s maritime sector, which plays a vital role in supporting national trade and logistics connectivity through advanced infrastructure such as Hamad Port, continues to evolve in line with broader economic diversification and modernisation strategies. Within this context, gender inclusion is increasingly viewed as part of a wider transformation agenda focused on enhancing efficiency, innovation, and resilience in port and logistics operations.The expansion of digitalisation and automation in port operations, alongside the growth of sustainability and logistics-related roles, is creating new opportunities for women in the sector. However, women remain significantly underrepresented in this sector globally. According to the International Maritime Organisation, women account for only about 1–2% of the global seafaring workforce, while their participation in shore-based maritime roles is estimated at roughly 20–30%, with even lower representation in technical and leadership positions. 

Qatar is recasting its maritime identity. Once defined by the sheer scale of its LNG shipments, the country is now staking a claim as the Gulf's next-generation maritime logistics ecosystem, weaving together hydrocarbons, world-class infrastructure, special economic zoning and digital convergence into a single integrated play. The ambition is clear; the execution will demand more.With a mainland coastline stretching some 563km along the Arabian Gulf, Qatar has built a strong foundation for maritime integration. But the leap from time-critical logistics provider to fully fledged marine services integrator will test its appetite for reform — even as geopolitical disruption and competition from entrenched hubs present both risk and opportunity.Qatar's LNG, which offers predictable long-term cargo flows, anchors demand for integrated marine solutions across the value chain — from shipping and bunkering to offshore field support.QatarEnergy's massive LNG fleet expansion to 200 vessels within the next five years is one of the structural advantages for Qatar, which is fast transforming from a volume-driven exporter into a fully integrated maritime energy player, combining production, shipping and trading into a unified global service platform.The development of world-class, future-ready infrastructure such as Hamad Port, alongside the industrial clusters of Ras Laffan and Mesaieed, has reshaped demand patterns, calling for round-the-clock, high-speed, compliant supply chains capable of serving LNG carriers and complex offshore operations.Qatar has unmatched LNG-linked shipping scale, but to become an impactful marine services integrator it must create a marine ecosystem that extends beyond hydrocarbons — and the country's regulatory agility supports this.Qatar has to now move towards such an ecosystem to fully capture the regional potential, according to experts in the field.The country, which has a natural advantage in leading green shipping corridors, should establish marine arbitration centres, flexible shipping registries and specialised maritime finance to attract global sectoral players to co-locate operations, which could accelerate ecosystem growth.Ship registration is handled by the Ministry of Transport and Communications — Maritime Transport Affairs Department, and at present, maritime arbitration is conducted through the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre and the Qatar International Arbitration Centre.The evolving special economic zones (SEZs) and logistics corridors complement the LNG-led maritime dominance of Qatar, whose prominence is growing, especially in regional maritime supply chains, as seen from transshipment volumes, their growth and increasing share.Qatar is now moving from a high-performing port economy to a coordinated maritime services ecosystem, in line with global regulations such as IMO, SOLAS and MARPOL.Transshipments have, by and large, accounted for 50% of container volumes, with more international shipping lines calling at Qatari ports — indicating the country's growing prominence in regional trade.Maritime hubs that have etched their place on the global stage differentiate themselves through a cluster approach: bunkering, ship repair, chandlery, legal arbitration, insurance and brokerage all co-located.Taking a leaf out of Rotterdam's role as a gateway into Europe and Singapore as a node for intra-Asia trade, industry experts are of the view that Qatar should strengthen its redistribution capabilities to better serve secondary markets across East Africa and South Asia.The development of maritime clusters positions Qatar as a regional export hub for high-value marine services, not just hydrocarbons.Milaha Trading's bottom line saw a jump in 2025 even as the group's total net earnings declined, on the back of higher ship chandlery income.The right balance of physical and digital infrastructure has already enhanced competitiveness in Qatar's ports sector, whose maritime integration is central to the country's National Vision 2030.The Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), issued by the World Bank in collaboration with S&P Global Market Intelligence, had earlier reinforced Qatar's standing as a key regional hub for trade and logistics.Integration today is as much about data as physical assets, and there is a need to further refine the existing MWANINA Port Community System, which is used by as many as 51 shipping lines, more than 800 freight agents, 128 customs clearance companies, 68 shipping agents and over 659 transport firms across Qatar.In view of this, analysts have called for building advanced vessel traffic systems, predictive scheduling and digital freight marketplaces.The General Authority of Customs earlier this year launched a new package of artificial intelligence services, including a Smart Harmonised System Classification Tool, which transforms documents into intelligent decisions within the customs declaration process and provides importers, exporters and customs brokers with accurate classification from the first data entry of shipment information.The Digital Port and Marine Services Platform, developed by Milaha in collaboration with US data automation provider Vendia, represents a pioneering effort to leverage blockchain technology within the maritime sector.The Qatar Smart Ports and Logistics Automation Market is valued at $1.1bn, based on a five-year historical analysis, according to Ken Research.Stressing that data is as important as capital, analysts said smart ports, predictive logistics and AI-driven operations will define the leaders of tomorrow.Qatar has the potential to ensure seamless trade flows as innovation thrives, with value created across the entire maritime ecosystem, they added.By strengthening interoperability, investing in smart maritime technologies and positioning itself as a hub for East–West trade and offshore energy operations, Qatar can further reap the rewards of a high-value maritime ecosystem. 

Milaha (formerly Qatar Navigation), the industry-leading provider of maritime and logistics solutions in the region, is strategically realigning its business segments to deliver a more integrated platform that better serves customers and drive sustainable growth. As part of this initiative, Milaha has restructured its operational and financial reporting segments to align more closely with its strategic priorities and the Qatar National Vision 2030 across three principal sectors: energy, trade, and national resilience. “This realignment leverages the group’s assets and capabilities to deliver a more integrated platform that better serves customers,” the company said in a communique to the Qatar Stock Exchange. This realignment strengthens Milaha’s strategic coherence, enhances operational focus, and positions the group to drive sustainable growth across its core sectors. The financial reporting under the revised segment structure will commence effective the first quarter of 2026. The changes impact two of its five business segments: Maritime & Logistics and Trading. The Maritime & Logistics segment will now comprise container shipping, ports, and logistics operations. These interrelated businesses will form the foundation for an integrated global trade and logistics platform to provide seamless, end-to-end supply chain solutions. As the main Qatari owned container shipping operator, Milaha connects key regional and international trade lanes, complemented by full-service logistics capabilities spanning freight forwarding, cross-border transport, customs clearance, and advanced warehousing infrastructure. The Trading segment will be replaced by the new marine and technical services segment, focusing on delivering comprehensive end‑to‑end solutions to vessel owners and operators, aimed at enhancing asset efficiency, reducing total cost of ownership and supporting national resiliency efforts. The Marine & Technical Services segment will encompass shipyard operations, ship management, and ship services- including bunkering, ship chandlering, shipping agency, and marine lubricants. Milaha’s remaining three business segments will remain unchanged. The Gas & Petrochem segment will continue to focus on marine shipping and transportation, and the operation of floating storage and offloading (FSO) units. The Offshore segment will continue serving the energy sector through a diversified fleet of offshore vessels, lift boats, and subsea assets that are complemented by our EPCI and industrial logistics capabilities. The capital segment will remain dedicated to financial and real estate investments. 

Qatar's logistics sector is all set to undergo transformation with WareOne, the country's "first Airbnb for warehouses", introducing 'pay as you use' concept, which could cut storage costs by as much as 30%, especially for small businesses.Within 11 months of commencing its operations, the country's first digital on-demand logistics platform has already expanded its network to 25 plus partners across warehousing, fulfillment and delivery segments and has been serving more than 40 customers across Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain."Most logistics companies of today still operate in a traditional manner. However, on the other hand, businesses are developing way faster, demand is fluctuating and there is a high speed increase in sales channels and logistics. Therefore flexibility became customers' number one priority," WareOne co-founder and chief executive officer Sheikh Khalifa al-Thani told the Web Summit, which concluded Wednesday.The limited digitalisation across warehouse, fleet management, transportation and fulfillment centre led to less control and visibility as well as hidden inefficiency and a poor customer experience, he said.This gap between what the markets expects and what the current logistics system is providing translates as 20% to 30% higher costs in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) compared with the mature market, according to him.Sheikh Khalifa said a logistic ecosystem that is fragmented, disconnected and not digitalised is difficult to scale as long as the ecosystem still works in silos, which is the Gulf's biggest logistics challenge.WearOne, which has 3PL license, is Qatar's first digital on-demand logistics platform and built for how modern businesses operate in the GCC, according to Nakul Gupta, its chief operating officer.Terming "solution is simple in concept but very powerful in execution"; he said imagine an "Airbnb for warehousing", where small businesses can search and discover and book storage spaces on demand. "They pay only for what they use without any long-term commitments," he added."We are integrating warehousing, fulfillment and transportation into one system. We are trying to turn the logistics from a fixed capital-heavy model to a flexible usage-based service that aligns with the growing business needs," he said, adding it allows customers to book, pay, manage and track the movement of their goods on a real-time basis through a single customer dashboard.In the backend, WareOne digitise every step of warehousing, fulfillment and distribution, where one connects with multiple service providers through their APIs, coordinated by a 24-7 control tower, thus ensuring real-time visibility, reliability and seamless execution across the entire network, Gupta said."We are uniquely combining our real operational depth with digital capability to build the backbone of flexible logistics in the GCC," according to him.The global on-demand warehousing market is experiencing significant growth, with projections indicating a market valuation of about $360bn by 2033. 

Alfardan Automotive has proudly announced the opening of its state-of-the-art automotive and spare parts logistics hub at Umm Alhoul Free Zone. This milestone marks a major step forward in Alfardan Automotive’s strategic vision to enhance operational excellence, expand its logistics capabilities, and reinforce Qatar’s growing position as a regional leader in mobility and supply chain innovation. Located near Hamad Port, the new Alfardan Automotive Trading facility spans over 67,000 square-metre and has been developed as part of Alfardan Automotive’s long-term investment to deliver world-class automotive operations and customer service capabilities. **media[376116]** The facility includes a 12,860 square-metre built-up area and a 24 work bays Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) centre. It specialises in automotive and spare parts logistics, servicing passenger vehicles, motorcycles, heavy equipment, and related components. The hub is designed to handle a wide range of logistics functions, including indoor and outdoor vehicle storage with a total capacity of approximately 1,500 units, as well as temperature-controlled bays tailored for luxury vehicles. In addition, the 5,800 square-metre Alfardan Commercial warehouse accommodates premium tires, batteries, lubricants, and paints, ensuring seamless supply chain operations that meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency. The hub incorporates advanced logistics and inventory management systems to optimise import, and storage operations. The new hub underscores Alfardan Automotive’s enduring commitment to providing its partners and customers with exceptional service while driving innovation across the automotive value chain. **media[376117]** Omar Hussain Alfardan, Managing Director of Alfardan Corporation, commented: “Alfardan Automotive has built a long-standing legacy in Qatar’s luxury automotive market, delivering cutting-edge products while maintaining exceptional customer care and industry best practices. The opening of our regional logistics hub represents an extension of this commitment, offering a qualitatively elevated level of logistical services that enhances our operational capabilities, supports our dealership networks, and complements Qatar’s broader trading and economic activities. This hub reinforces the country’s growth as a regional centre for logistics and mobility, reflecting our shared vision for economic growth and sustainable development.” Developed in partnership with the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ), the project reflects a shared vision to position Qatar as a premier destination for automotive logistics and advanced mobility services. QFZ has provided a world-class environment and infrastructure framework that enables strategic investments, such as Alfardan Automotive Trading’s new hub to thrive and contribute to Qatar’s national development objectives. This landmark facility will serve as a cornerstone for Alfardan Automotive’s future growth, empowering its brands and partners to deliver even greater efficiency, customer satisfaction, and sustainable progress within the mobility sector.

Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) and DHL Global Forwarding, the global freight forwarding arm of DHL Group, have officially inaugurated the group's new logistics facility at Ras Bufontas Free Zone. The inauguration marks an important expansion of DHL's presence in the State of Qatar and reinforces Qatar's free zones status as a premier destination for global logistics operators, said QFZ in a press release on Saturday. CEO of QFZ, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal Al-Thani stated: "The inauguration of DHL Global Forwarding in Ras Bufontas Free Zone reflects a strategic step to reinforce Qatar's stature as a high-value logistics hub, reducing time to market and enhancing the supply chain flexibility across the region." "As a global logistics leader, DHL will improve the operational capacity, enhance specialized warehousing capabilities, and reinforce multimodal connectivity, benefitting from the proximity to Hamad International Airport, and creating an attractive footprint for partners and suppliers across various economic sectors. This investment will also drive our transition from a transit hub to an integrated solutions platform supported by a flexible regulatory framework and advanced digital infrastructure, ensuring new growth prospects and connecting the region to markets in Africa and Asia," His Excellency added. For his part, CEO - Gulf Cluster, DHL Global Forwarding, Samer Kaissi said: "Qatar plays a key role in our regional logistics strategy, particularly as we expand our multimodal capabilities across the GCC. Hamad Port has long been a vital part of our network, supporting east-west trade flows." "Thanks to our collaboration with the Qatar Free Zones Authority, we now also benefit from improved connectivity to the Hamad International Airport: With our new facility in Ras Bufontas Free Zone, located close to the airport, we are enhancing our airfreight capabilities, which enables us to deliver even more resilient and scalable logistics solutions, especially for the growing GCC-Africa corridors." The new DHL Global Forwarding facility spans more than 1,200 square meters and will serve as a regional distribution warehouse specializing in air freight consolidation services, supporting both regional and global distribution networks. Strategically located close to Hamad International Airport, the facility is ideally positioned to capitalize on Qatar's world-class transport infrastructure and streamlined customs processing. Qatar Free Zones Authority remains committed to accelerating Qatar's logistics growth and enabling strategic investment that aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, positioning the state as a hub for sustainable, innovation-led industrial activity.

NEXX, a logistics AI (artificial intelligence) company, in association with Zipto Supply Chain, a leading Chinese cross-border E-commerce logistics provider, is expanding into Qatar market as it establishes advanced smart fulfillment center at Milaha Logistics City, Qatar, to enhance cross-border E-commerce logistics capabilities in the region.In this regard, NEXX officially announced strategic partnerships with Zipto Supply Chain and Middle East delivery leader iMile, during the Belt and Road Summit held in Hong Kong."Together with Zipto's expertise in Chinese market access and iMile's last-mile excellence, powered by our AI-driven fulfillment center, we are positioned to transform the region's logistics landscape and revolutionise service standards in this sector," said Hui Ka, Oscar, chief executive officer of NEXX.Operated jointly by NEXX, Milaha and Hong Kong E-commerce logistics company KEC, the 5,000sqm smart fulfillment center is equipped with an agentic AI management system, automated sorting robots, and pharmaceutical logistics certification.It offers end-to-end warehousing and fulfillment services tailored for cross-border B2C E-commerce customers. The center also supports B2B operations and features a bonded warehouse. It is scheduled to commence full operations in the fourth quarter of this year.On NEXX's strategic partnership with Zipto to expand into the Qatar market, this partnership will see Zipto utilise the former's advanced smart fulfillment center as its primary Qatar operational base, harnessing the facility's sophisticated automation capabilities to serve Chinese E-commerce businesses expanding into the Qatari market, with planned subsequent expansion into the UAE.In a complementary agreement, NEXX has partnered with iMile, which will establish its Qatar headquarters within NEXX's smart fulfillment center, utilising the facility's intelligent logistics infrastructure to enhance and expand its delivery services across the country through integrated technological solutions."We are pleased to support NEXX and its partners Zipto and iMile as they bring innovative logistics solutions to Qatar. Our commitment to fostering international collaboration and sustainable business growth is strengthened by these important partnerships, which will position Qatar as a central player in the region's E-commerce landscape," said Sheikh Ali Alwaleed al-Thani, chief executive officer of Invest Qatar.NEXX had recently announced a strategic investment from Rasmal Ventures — the first independent venture capital fund supported by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). It disclosed that Ibrahim al-Derbasti, executive vice president of Offshore and Marine at Milaha, as co-founder of NEXX Middle East.

Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) and FedEx Logistics, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation, have officially opened a new regional logistics facility at Ras Bufontas Free Zone, marking a significant step in Qatar’s emergence as a leading hub for global trade and supply chain operations.The inauguration was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal al-Thani, CEO, QFZ, and Patrick Moebel, President of FedEx Logistics, alongside senior executives from both parties. The opening of the centre comes within the framework of the existing partnership between QFZ and FedEx Logistics and based on the agreement signed between them in 2024.Operated by FedEx Logistics Qatar QFZ LLC, the 1,249sq m facility features integrated warehousing, storage, and office spaces. Plugged into the FedEx global network, it will serve as a key gateway for freight forwarding and scheduling, facilitating the movement of goods between major markets in Asia, Europe, and North America.Situated next to Hamad International Airport and close to Hamad Port, the facility offers seamless access to air transportation and freight, as well as access to knowledgeable guidance on customs brokerage processes.It will provide end-to-end supply chain solutions for industries, including retail, automotive, and technology.The facility supports Qatar’s rapidly expanding logistics sector valued at $10.14bn and projected to reach $13.49bn by 2030, with the country ranked seventh globally for logistics competence in the Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index 2024.Sheikh Mohammed said: “We are proud to welcome FedEx Logistics to our thriving logistics ecosystem, home to four of the world’s top ten logistics providers.“The investment by FedEx underscores QFZ’s competitive advantages, world-class infrastructure, seamless logistics connectivity network, strategic geographical location close to the most prominent global markets, enhancing the ability of investing companies to reach large segments of consumers globally.“We are confident that this milestone will contribute to strengthening Qatar’s leadership as a global hub for innovation, logistics and international trade.”Moebel commented: “Establishing this facility in Qatar enables us to connect our Qatari and regional customers to major markets in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North America with greater speed and efficiency.“By integrating this location into the FedEx global network, we can deliver smarter, more reliable logistics solutions that help businesses grow and compete in today’s fast-moving global economy.”By boosting freight connectivity and enabling more efficient global supply chains, the FedEx Logistics facility will contribute to sustainable growth, private sector expansion, and enhanced global competitiveness.This aligns with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and advances the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), which identifies logistics as a key pillar of economic diversification.

India plans to expand its high-speed road network fivefold within a decade, investing 11tn rupees ($125bn) to modernise infrastructure and slash logistics costs, people familiar with the matter said.The country will add 17,000 kilometres (10,563 miles) of access-controlled roads that allow motorists to travel at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour, offering faster, safer and more efficient connectivity than conventional highways, said the people, who asked not to be identified citing rules.Roughly 40% of the proposed network is already under construction and slated for completion before 2030, while work on the remaining corridors is expected to begin by 2028 and wrap up by 2033, the people said.India’s push mirrors efforts by other major economies to overhaul transport infrastructure and reduce logistics cost. China has built more than 180,000 kilometres of expressways since the 1990s, while the US maintains over 75,000 kilometres of interstate highways.As of March this year, India’s national highway network covered more than 146,000 kilometres, but only 4,500 kilometres meet high-speed standards, the people said.The Indian government wants to reduce logistics costs from 13% to 14% of the gross domestic product to about 8%, in line with global standards, consultancy Rubix Data Sciences Pvt said in a report last year. Although India’s expressway plan is relatively small in scale, it stands out for its ambitious timeline and reliance on a hybrid financing model to attract private capital.Projects offering returns of 15% or more will be bid out under the build-operate-transfer, or BOT, model, allowing private firms to recover costs through tolls, the people said. Those with lower projected returns will follow the Hybrid Annuity Model, under which the government covers 40% of construction costs upfront, they said.Most of the projects in various stages of construction are under the hybrid annuity model, but the government now hopes to see more private sector participation for the rest, the people said. Private interest in India’s road sector has been tepid in recent years.India’s Ministry for Road Transport and Highways and the government’s Press Information Bureau didn’t immediately respond to requests for comments.The country’s highway network is undergoing an upgrade led by the state-run National Highways Authority of India, which spent a record 2.5tn rupees on construction in the fiscal year ended March, up 21% from a year ago.For the year ending March 2026, the government has increased the budgeted allocation to 2.9tn rupees for roads and highways.Although interest in India’s roads sector has been uneven, the broader infrastructure space is drawing strong investor attention.Brookfield Asset Management Ltd, Blackstone Inc, Macquarie Group Ltd, and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board have all committed capital, while the Adani Group has announced plans to invest $18.4bn across infrastructure, including roads.The country could attract hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure investment over the next three years, driven by policy support, rising demand, and the scale of planned projects, according to Deloitte India estimates.

Dubai-based logistics company DP World Ltd is negotiating for a contract to operate a new container terminal that will increase the Montreal Port Authority’s capacity by more than 50%.The new Contrecoeur terminal will sit on the St. Lawrence River, just northeast of the city of Montreal, Canada’s second-largest urban area. Construction may start as soon as September on the project, which is expected to cost nearly C$1.6bn ($1.2bn) and has a target date for completion in 2029.“There’s a competitive process going on and we’re definitely in discussions,” DP World Canada Inc Chief Executive Officer Douglas Smith told Bloomberg News.DP World is one of the world’s largest opera-tors of container ports, and it has a strong link to Quebec — the Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec is among its largest financial partners. La Caisse holds stakes in several DP assets, including 45% of the Canadian subsidiary.The terminal project has been under consideration since the 1980s, when the port authority bought the land in Contrecoeur, and has been the subject of detailed planning for a dozen years. Costs ballooned and demand fluctuated, but the governments of Canada and Quebec now want to see it built as part of efforts to in-crease trade with Europe amid trade tensions with the US — committing more than half a billion dollars to the project.“It checks a lot of boxes,” Charles Emond, chief executive officer of La Caisse, said in an interview. “This is something that would be considered strategic in Quebec. We like infrastructure, we’re good in ports, we have expertise, we have the operator.”The Port of Montreal’s current capacity of 2.1mn containers annually may be fully reached by 2030, and the new terminal would be able to handle 1.15mn containers of volume.A spokesperson for DP World in Canada said that “while we see strong potential for developing logistics infrastructure in Montreal that drives economic growth and long-term value, we have no announcements to share at this time.” Prime Minister Mark Carney promoted the Contrecoeur terminal project this week during a press conference, along with a potential port expansion in Churchill, Manitoba, that might eventually be able to export liquefied natural gas.“The No. 1 focus of this government is to build that infrastructure, and particularly infrastructure that helps us deepen our partnership with our European partners,” Carney told reporters in Germany.The Montreal Port Authority has said the trade war with the US led companies to reassess ex-port markets in the first half of the year, with 22% more goods going to China during the period. Exports to Spain and northern Europe also rose.“The expansion of the Port of Montreal in Contrecoeur is a major strategic asset for in-creasing the resilience and fluidity of supply chains throughout Eastern Canada. In this perspective, we are currently in discussions with a private partner and investor, whose identity will remain confidential until an agreement is signed,” said Renee Larouche, director of communications with the Montreal Port Authority.Montreal is Canada’s biggest eastern container port and its second-largest overall, after Vancouver.