The transport and logistics sector across the Gulf is sharpening its focus on continuity, as governments and industry players step up efforts to reinforce supply chain resilience. Investments in energy and infrastructure continue to move forward, reflecting a broader commitment to stability and long-term growth.

In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services has introduced the “Logistics Routes” initiative to strengthen supply chain networks, while other countries in the region are rolling out similar measures to enhance operational preparedness.

Within this context, Nader Antar, Executive Vice President and President of IMEA and APAC at Brink’s and Brink’s Global Services, explains how global security and valuables logistics providers are recalibrating operations to manage evolving risks while maintaining the seamless movement of high-value assets.

He noted that the current environment across the Gulf has increased scrutiny on the movement and protection of high-value assets. “At Brink’s, our approach is anchored in infrastructure, diversification, and visibility. We operate a globally distributed network of high-security facilities across major trade hubs, enabling geographic redundancy and ensuring that valuable commodities can continue moving even when certain routes or markets face disruption,” Antar said.

He added that this network allows the company to reroute shipments and mobilize assets while maintaining strict security and compliance standards.

Antar emphasized that coordination with stakeholders is equally critical. “Secure logistics operates at the intersection of global trade, financial systems, and regulatory oversight. We maintain strong relationships with regulators, customs authorities, and law enforcement agencies to ensure uninterrupted cross-border movement of assets, particularly during periods of heightened geopolitical tension,” he said.

He added that real-time visibility across operations enables the company to anticipate risks and respond quickly as conditions evolve.

UAE AND LOGISTICS

Commenting on the UAE, Antar described the country as one of the most stable and strategically significant logistics hubs in the world. “The country has built sophisticated infrastructure, strong regulatory frameworks, and deep connectivity across global trade corridors, allowing the secure movement of high-value commodities to continue with a high degree of reliability. In many respects, it remains business as usual.”

At the same time, he emphasized that preparedness remains central to operations in a sector responsible for safeguarding precious metals, banknotes, and other high-value assets. “We continue to leverage our globally diversified network of secure facilities and transport infrastructure, allowing shipments to be rerouted quickly if regional conditions change.”

He added that the UAE plays a pivotal role within this network, linking major commodity flows between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Its institutional strength and position as a global trade hub provide the resilience needed to support stable operations even during periods of uncertainty.

FRAMEWORKS AND PROTOCOLS

Risk mitigation frameworks and security protocols remain central to safeguarding high-value commodities during periods of disruption. This approach is built on a layered security architecture that combines physical infrastructure, operational discipline, and advanced technology to ensure full control and visibility across the value chain.

A key pillar of this strategy is the company’s global network of high-security vaults and facilities, which provide secure storage and geographic redundancy, allowing assets to be relocated or rerouted when required.

Transport security remains another critical component, supported by structured contingency planning and flexible routing capabilities that enable rapid adjustments while maintaining strict chain-of-custody standards.

“Technology further strengthens these capabilities. Through centralized monitoring platforms such as the Brink’s Insight Centre, our teams maintain round-the-clock visibility across operations, enabling proactive risk detection and rapid response to potential disruptions,” Antar said.

These measures reflect a broader shift in how logistics players approach risk, with resilience, flexibility, and visibility becoming central to their operations. As global trade flows evolve, the ability to adapt quickly while maintaining security and compliance will remain critical to ensuring the uninterrupted movement of high-value assets across key corridors.