Gulf Warehousing Company showcases AI-led logistics push in Doha

Gulf Warehousing Company has stepped onto a global technology stage with its debut at Web Summit Qatar 2026, signalling how logistics groups in the Gulf are repositioning themselves around data, automation and artificial intelligence. The Doha-based firm announced a partnership with Apify, a European cloud platform known for web data extraction, automation tools and AI-driven workflows, during the four-day summit held from 1 to 4 February in the Qatari capital.

The agreement brings together GWC’s regional and international logistics footprint with Apify’s software capabilities, aiming to streamline supply chain intelligence, automate operational processes and improve decision-making across warehousing and distribution networks. Company executives described the move as part of a broader shift from traditional logistics towards data-enabled services that can respond faster to market changes and customer demand.

Web Summit Qatar has emerged as a key venue for such announcements, drawing technology companies, investors and policymakers keen to position the Middle East as a testing ground for applied artificial intelligence. GWC’s presence at the event reflects how logistics operators are increasingly engaging with technology ecosystems rather than remaining peripheral service providers. By aligning with a specialist platform like Apify, the company is seeking to embed advanced data tools into its core operations rather than adopting off-the-shelf solutions.

Apify’s technology is designed to extract and structure large volumes of web data, automate repetitive digital tasks and feed insights into AI models. For logistics companies, such tools can be used to monitor supplier performance, track pricing trends, analyse shipping routes and anticipate disruptions. GWC has indicated that the partnership will support real-time analytics across its warehouses and transport networks, improving forecasting accuracy and inventory management.

Industry analysts note that logistics firms globally are under pressure to modernise as supply chains grow more complex and customer expectations rise. E-commerce growth, tighter delivery windows and geopolitical uncertainties have pushed operators to invest in predictive technologies. In the Gulf, this shift is reinforced by government-backed digital strategies and heavy investment in transport infrastructure, creating fertile ground for experimentation with AI-driven logistics.

GWC, which operates across the Middle East, Asia and Europe, has been expanding its service portfolio beyond storage and freight handling. Over the past few years, it has invested in smart warehouses, automated inventory systems and digital platforms designed to give clients greater visibility over their supply chains. The Apify collaboration builds on this trajectory, adding a layer of external data intelligence to internal operational systems.

Executives at the summit emphasised that the partnership is not about replacing human expertise but augmenting it. Automated data collection and AI workflows are intended to free staff from manual reporting and allow them to focus on higher-value planning and customer engagement. This approach mirrors a wider trend in logistics, where technology is used to enhance resilience rather than simply cut costs.

The choice of a European technology partner also highlights the increasingly cross-border nature of digital collaboration. Apify has built a reputation among developers and enterprises for flexible automation tools that can be tailored to specific use cases. For GWC, working with a platform that already serves global clients reduces the learning curve and supports scalability as the company expands into new markets.

Web Summit Qatar 2026 itself has underscored the Gulf’s ambition to become a regional hub for technology and innovation. The event has attracted startups, multinational firms and venture capital, with logistics and supply chain technology featuring prominently alongside fintech, health technology and climate solutions. GWC’s debut aligns with Qatar’s broader push to diversify its economy and promote knowledge-based industries.

Market observers caution that partnerships alone do not guarantee transformation. Integrating AI tools into complex logistics operations requires careful change management, data governance and cybersecurity safeguards. Companies must also ensure that automated insights are accurate and unbiased, particularly when they influence procurement or routing decisions. GWC has stated that data integrity and compliance will remain central as it rolls out new workflows.