Leading Qatar’s LSP has become the provider of choice for equestrian logistics
Qatar has always been a major investor in horses globally and with the launch of Al Shaqab it has taken equine welfare, breeding and R&D to another level.
Transporting horses has developed into a specialised logistics profession and GWC is spearheading this category with the provision of dedicated equine logistics services.
The logistics industry plays a central role in supporting these international events, and GWC has become the provider of choice for equestrian logistics, offering comprehensive solutions for the transport of horses of all breeds along with their equipment by land or air freight, quarantine services and health monitoring, supervision of customs clearance and offloading onto the airport tarmac, flight charters, in addition to consultancy services for horse transportation projects.
The Journey
GWC’s Equestrian logistics unit provides the solution for every leg of the journey, including land transport, Quarantine and supervision, Mediation with all relevant authorities, Customs clearance and tarmac supervision, Arranging professional grooms and veterinarians and international airfreight and aircraft charter solutions.
GWC’s Equestrian story began in 2014, and since then GWC has been instrumental in supporting several international equestrian events held in Qatar, where the company provided coordination with owners and transporters in Europe, charter flights, tarmac supervision during loading and unloading of horses, construction of stalls at events, arranging of professional grooms and veterinarians, and document collection and confirmation for entry and exit of horses.
The Process
There is no doubt that transporting these majestic animals requires due diligence and a very meticulous process. To begin with, clearance must be provided from this departure point and the final destination, which requires the support of health officials in various countries.
GWC’s close relationship with various health authorities in Qatar has helped keep this process smooth throughout the years, starting with this very first project. GWC has also built a strong relationship with the grooms and veterinarians who travel with these horses to keep them calm and healthy, the press note added.
Upon arrival, the horses require support from the tarmac of the air strip, ensuring they de- plane and step onto the specialized land vehicles without incident, all this while GWC continues to liaise with the relevant health authorities on the ground.
In addition to the transport of the horses, GWC also has the expertise to transport and install temporary stables in which the horses lodge. This requires the cooperation of the company’s freight and relocations teams as they ensure the proper handling of the various equestrian paraphernalia on both legs of the trip.
In the year 2015, GWC successfully provided logistics support of 128 horses for the Chi Al Shaqab international event, with the horses divided among those performing at the vaulting, dressage, show jumping, and para-dressage events.
GWC has full ground teams in both origin and Doha, handling the export and import into and out of Qatar, providing a veterinarian or a veterinarian’s assistant and a professional air groom per flight to accompany horses on board, and tarmac supervision on departure and arrival.
The Company also works closely with the Qatar Ministry of Environment’s Veterinary Affairs Department to ensure all processes comply with the highest standards of biosecurity at all times.
GWC excels at every vertical it serves by putting in the time and effort needed to ensure that the services are delivered according to best-in-class industry standards and practices, the press statement continued.
The Progress
With the successful delivery of the first event, GWC has built upon every success in the industry, delivering their solutions to 22 major events in Qatar, and moving over 2,000 horses for these events to date. The company has also diversified, offering these solutions to private breeders and owners as they relocate to Qatar or participate in the international pedigree market. This is a particularly relevant requirement in the Middle East, where the Arabian horse is utilised to breed with other pedigrees to improve their worth by reinforcing their patience, speed, and profile.
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