Managing temperature-sensitive cargo in the Gulf

Sonia Sali

Sebastian Sommer, Chief Logistics Officer at AJEX

Cold chain logistics demands precision and care. In the Middle East, extreme temperatures add another layer of complexity to moving sensitive cargo. In an interview with CargoTalk Middle East, Sebastian Sommer, Chief Logistics Officer at AJEX, discusses how the company manages temperature-sensitive shipments and maintains product integrity across the journey.

How do extreme Middle East temperatures, especially summer heat, affect cold-chain transportation?

Cold chain logistics is more than just an operational requirement in the Gulf; it is a strategic necessity. Extreme heat and long transport corridors make resilient, compliant infrastructure vital to protecting food security and public health. At AJEX, we address these conditions not only through temperature-controlled vehicles, but also with purpose-built storage and specialised packaging solutions and facilities engineered for the Gulf’s extreme heat. We also use live GPS and continuous temperature monitoring from -20°C to +25°C, giving our teams visibility to identify and address potential temperature deviations throughout the journey.

What temperature-sensitive or unusual cargo does AJEX transport, and what makes it challenging to handle?

AJEX handles a wide range of temperature-sensitive goods, with healthcare shipments including rare disease medications, biological samples and direct-to-patient deliveries such as HIV medicines, making precise handling and monitoring essential. Different products require specific temperature profiles and handling protocols, while some shipments may also involve dry ice or specialised passive packaging. AJEX uses specialised temperature-controlled packaging and pre-conditioning, including Phase Change Materials (PCM), alongside continuous pharmaceutical-grade temperature monitoring to ensure product integrity from pick-up through to delivery. Critically, our teams are trained specifically in the packaging and handling of sensitive cold-chain shipments to maintain the required conditions throughout transportation. 

Can the Middle East become a stronger pharma and life-sciences cold-chain hub, and what infrastructure gaps need to be addressed?

Absolutely. As the region advances Vision 2030 ambitions around localisation, healthcare and supply-chain resilience, demand for industry-leading cold-chain standards is accelerating. AJEX recorded 84% year-on-year growth in cold-chain transportation revenue and 43% growth in warehousing in 2025. We also opened the Kingdom’s first and only GMP–GxP certified cold-chain logistics facility, a purpose-built 3,000 sqm depot in Riyadh. Ongoing investment in pharmaceutical-grade infrastructure, technology and trained talent will be critical to supporting the ongoing growth of the pharmaceutical, life-sciences and wider logistics sectors.

How do documentation requirements vary across pharmaceuticals, biological samples, food and other temperature-sensitive cargo?

Requirements vary according to the product and applicable regulatory framework, but pharmaceuticals and biological samples typically demand particularly stringent traceability, temperature records and chain-of-custody controls. At AJEX, these requirements are embedded within our ISO-certified Quality Management System (QMS), which integrates SOPs and unified processes across Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain and aligns with global standards including those of the EU and WHO. This helps streamline compliance reporting, reduce audit friction and accelerate clearance for regulated shipments. AJEX is also SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Authority) certified.