Overseas Distribution Company, a  leading distributor in duty free travel retail, is opening a new commercial and logistics office in Dubai to supply retail boutiques aboard cruise ships.

The new regional operation will be run by Paul Murray, who will join the business as CEO Middle East, following a 15-year stint in a senior management position at MMI in Dubai.

Across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, ODC works with leading brands across the tobacco, beer, wine and spirits, confectionery, perfume and cosmetics sectors, supplying retail outlets on board cruise ships.  

The move to open an office in Dubai leverages the city’s position as the region’s leading cruise hub, and one of the most inter-connected logistics hubs in the world.

“Dubai’s location is a strategic choice providing favourable logistics facilities and infrastructure, to provide our brand partners efficient distribution and supply chain solutions across the Middle East, Indian Ocean, Africa and Asia Pacific regions,” said Manuel Demaerel, ODC’s Commercial Director. 

“We are in the process of setting up the legal entity in Dubai and we anticipate this completing in the coming months. We look forward to a long and successful collaboration working with Paul in Dubai, to offer an extended route to market for our partners,” he added.

Once a small value-add aboard higher-end cruise lines, retail space aboard cruise ships has become big business in recent years, with some cruise ships, such as the Oasis-class from Royal Caribbean International, boasting shopping areas the size of malls.

“I’m delighted to be joining ODC at this exciting time for the company’s expansion which will allow us to deliver a platform offering regional and localised distribution solutions to our partner brands bringing them closer to market, reducing both lead times and reaction times to enhance speed and delivery through regional stock holding in Dubai,” said Murray.

He added that the company’s “key focus will be maintaining our proven world-class speed to market supply chain expertise and providing turnkey solutions to connect our partners with key travel retail customers across the Middle East, Indian Ocean, Africa and Asia Pacific regions.”

Murray has experience in strategic planning, development and execution of airline and airport businesses in the Middle East – spanning full management of 30+ FMCG brand partnerships across multiple duty free shop operators, alcohol category management for airlines, airport lounges and F&B outlets.