GWC and QC+ Join Forces to Build the Gulf Region’s Largest Fine Art Logistics Hub

GWC and QC+ have announced a partnership to develop what is set to become the Gulf region’s largest full-service, world-class storage and logistics hub dedicated to fine art.

The development comes as the Middle East emerges as a global player in the art market with increasing private collectors and public initiatives like the opening of the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Art Basel in Qatar, among others.

The logistics hub, now in advanced planning stages, aims to position the region as a secure, sophisticated, and globally competitive center for art handling, preservation, and movement.

The joint venture combines GWC’s extensive logistics infrastructure with QC+’s expertise in art services, collection management, and museum-grade preservation standards.

Together, they plan to create a hub that meets the needs of private collectors, galleries, museums, and institutions seeking reliable, climate-controlled, high-security space for valuable works.

How the FIFA World Cup Transformed Qatar's Transport and Logistics Landscape

The new complex will feature advanced environmental controls capable of maintaining strict temperature and humidity standards, along with museum-level security systems. The facility will include private vaults, viewing rooms, conservation workspaces, crating studios, and specialist transport units designed for sensitive materials.

Beyond storage, the hub is expected to offer integrated services such as customs handling, installation support, regional and international transport, and collection digitization.

Matthew Kearns, Acting Group CEO of GWC, said: “With over 15 years of experience in fine art logistics and as the first Middle East-based company accredited by ICEFAT, GWC brings proven expertise to this partnership.

"Combined with Qatar’s vision for cultural and economic diversification, this project represents a new benchmark for integrated art infrastructure and creative economy growth in the region.”  

Kirstin Mearns, CEO of QC+, said: “The Gulf is no longer an emerging market for art. It is a global player, as demonstrated by the announcement of Art Basel Qatar. QC+ and GWC will use our combined expertise to provide innovative and industry-leading fine art logistics solutions."

With new museums, cultural districts, and art fairs emerging across Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, demand for professional art logistics has surged.

High-net-worth collectors and global institutions are increasingly engaging with the region, creating the need for a centralized, trustworthy platform that can manage everything from long-term storage to exhibition logistics.

While the Gulf has made major strides in cultural investment, fine art logistics infrastructure has lagged behind other global art hubs.

The GWC-QC+ project aims to close that gap by delivering a facility built to international best practices. Its strategic location near major transport links will allow faster, safer movement of artworks in and out of the region.

QC+’s specialists will oversee conservation standards, packing protocols, and collection care, while GWC will provide the operational backbone—warehousing, fleet management, and regional distribution capabilities. The companies say the partnership model ensures that both the technical and logistical needs of art handling are met without compromise.

The project is also expected to support the Gulf’s ambitions to attract major exhibitions and cultural collaborations.

Reliable storage and logistics capacity are essential for loan agreements with leading museums, many of which have strict requirements for climate control, security, and professional oversight. By meeting those standards, the hub could help unlock new opportunities for the region’s cultural institutions.

Construction is expected to begin soon, with phased openings planned once the core facility is in place. Both GWC and QC+ describe the hub as a long-term investment in the region’s cultural infrastructure and a step toward making the Gulf a competitive and trusted destination in the international art ecosystem.

If successful, the partnership could mark a turning point for the region, strengthening the cultural supply chain, supporting local and international creators, and providing the reliability and expertise that the global art community demands.

Read More: GWC to Deliver for Huawei’s Official e-Commerce Store in Qatar