Simona Peter: Making Her Mark in Middle East Logistics

By Simon West

The UAE’s project market is surging despite ongoing geopolitical challenges. Simona Peter shares how Fleet Line Shipping is navigating the landscape while drawing on the wisdom of industry veterans.

From Issue 2, 2026 of Breakbulk Magazine.

(4-minute read)

Talk to any project logistics executive and they’ll tell you nothing beats hands-on experience. Fleet Line Shipping’s Simona Peter has followed that path, building a career through hard work and a willingness to learn the ropes from scratch.

Peter joined the UAE-based project forwarder — the company founded by her father Peter Mathew in 2005 — straight from university six years ago, honing her skills in customer service before moving into business development where she now focuses on identifying new opportunities across the region’s fast-evolving project markets.

Speaking to the 27-year-old in Dubai, it is clear she believes that success comes from immersing yourself in every corner of the business. “My father was insistent that I start from the ground up, just the way he did,” she said.

Eyes on the Emirates

Headquartered in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), Fleet Line is active throughout the Middle East, with Peter noting the “significant” volume of project cargo the company handles for destinations including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Its core focus, however, remains the UAE’s energy and construction sectors. Current assignments include supporting the expansion of Abu Dhabi’s flagship deepwater port at Khalifa and transporting rail tracks for the ongoing buildout of Etihad Rail.

Peter speaks passionately about the UAE and its dynamic business culture, especially when set against the more established logistics landscape in Europe.

“Every day there are new inquiries coming in, new cargoes, new opportunities,” the executive said. “For us it’s a good place to be because we have 21 years of experience in the market, which allows us to navigate that environment confidently. At the same time, there’s a lot of flexibility here. There always seems to be a solution or a way to get the job done.”

To remain competitive in the UAE’s cutthroat logistics sector, Fleet Line has concentrated on delivering what Peter describes as a “complete door-to-door holistic solution.” Value-added services such as onboard lashing and welding for breakbulk and RoRo shipments are supported by packing, crating and storage capabilities at a 12,000-square-meter warehouse and open yard facility at Jafza.

“There are so many new companies that are opening up in the UAE and competition has increased tenfold. I think the way we stay competitive is by providing these ancillary services and going that extra mile for our customers,” Peter said.

Tackling Disruption

Peter describes the UAE project sector as “resilient,” a trait that has become even more valuable since the outbreak of hostilities in Iran. While the conflict has tested nerves across the Middle East, her “keep calm and carry on” mindset reflects the stoicism long associated with those working in breakbulk and project cargo.

The situation has demanded vision and resourcefulness: In Fleet Line’s case, this means rerouting cargo through alternative gateways such as the ports of Khorfakkan and Fujairah in the UAE, as well as terminals in Oman and Saudi Arabia. The company has also deployed multimodal routing strategies combining sea freight, road transport and regional gateways, a tactic that clients are increasingly open to in these uncertain times, Peter said.

Across the Gulf region, governments have acted swiftly to keep cargo moving, rolling out green corridors to accelerate cross-border clearance and introducing port-bonded movements to relieve pressure on major gateways.

“Beyond logistics, there remains strong commitment to infrastructure development and industrial expansion, reinforcing a clear message of ‘business as usual,’” she said. “Periods of volatility are part of operating in logistics, but the underlying fundamentals of the Middle East project cargo market remain strong, and that provides real confidence looking ahead.”

Pushing Boundaries

Peter admits that the last two months have been “super-hectic,” but the executive reveals a genuine passion for her role and a clear determination to make her own mark on the region’s project logistics sector.

Asked about her objectives, she’s keen to grow the sales side of her job. She’s also spearheading an internal initiative to upgrade and streamline the company’s operational systems and platforms — a project she believes will significantly enhance the overall flow of the business.

“I want to push myself further and get out there more, take ownership of a few more customers and broaden my horizons in terms of what I can do,” she said. “It’s really a personal challenge to myself.”

Peter is particularly passionate about female representation in the industry — she is quick to highlight the number of women already leading operations and departments at Fleet Line. She has been a member of Breakbulk’s Women in Breakbulk program since 2022, speaking on panel sessions and participating in global meetups.

“I’ve met so many fantastic women, including key decision makers,” Peter said. “In fact, there are women at every level, and it’s such a lovely community. Of course, we delve into industry specifics, just like on the main stage, but there’s also a real sense of support. It’s very much like, ‘if you need anything, do let me know, do reach out.’ It has that personal touch.”

Does she have any advice for entry-level professionals joining the industry?

“I feel like I’m quite young to be giving advice! But honestly, what’s helped me most is simply asking questions. And, more importantly, asking for help,” she said. “When you don’t know something, it can feel intimidating to speak up. You don’t want to come across as someone who should already know the answer. But in my experience, a lot of the industry veterans who may seem intimidating actually love it when younger people come to them with questions. I think it’s really about getting over that fear and just asking.”

Breakbulk’s NextWave Program is a dedicated initiative designed to engage and support emerging talent as they build their knowledge, networks and careers within the industry.

Top photo: Peter at the Fleet Line Shipping stand at Breakbulk Middle East 2026. Credit: Hyve

Second: Peter speaks on a Women in Breakbulk panel at Breakbulk Middle East 2024. Credit: Hyve