Neptune P2P Group Calls on GCC Businesses to Review Contingency Plans

Neptune P2P Group, an international security risk management and maritime security firm, has called on businesses across the GCC to review and test their contingency plans amid continued uncertainty in the region.

The company said early planning can help businesses secure transport and other resources, manage costs and clarify responsibilities before potential disruption. Its recommendations draw on recent work supporting the relocation of around 2,000 employees by sea, land and air charter across the GCC and Levant. The firm said contingency plans remain active to support approximately 20,000 additional people.

Carl Sykes, CEO of Neptune P2P Group, presented the findings at the International Stability Operations Association (ISOA) Middle East Networking Reception in Dubai on October 1, 2026.

Doug Brooks, founder and President Emeritus of ISOA, said “As ISOA marks its 25th year, companies working in the world’s most challenging environments have learned that stability depends as much on logistics, planning and coordination as on security. That lesson now applies far beyond conflict zones. Businesses operating in this region are recognising that preparing for disruption is a strategic decision for leadership, not a technical task to be handed off once a crisis begins.”

“Adapting to the new normal means running the business as close to normal as practical, with clear triggers to respond as conditions change and clear communication so that staff understand what has been decided, why it has been decided and how it will be implemented. Businesses that prepare early, when there is time to secure resources and agree decisions calmly, will be far better placed than those that wait for any future disruption to force their hand,” Skyes added.

According to Neptune P2P Group, recent periods of disruption saw companies with similar risk thresholds seek the same resources simultaneously, in some cases after spending 48 hours developing response plans. The firm said contingency planning was also frequently fragmented across departments, while some plans remained structured around scenarios developed during the COVID-19 period rather than the possibility of regional conflict.

The company recommends that businesses establish clear triggers for action, assign responsibilities and determine resource requirements in advance, while considering the potential effects of disruption on employees, operations and supply chains. Plans should also be reviewed as physical and cyber risks evolve.

Neptune P2P Group also said companies should align risk thresholds and responsibilities across leadership, security teams and other stakeholders before disruption occurs, particularly where regional operations and overseas headquarters may have different assessments of risk.

The firm recommends moving from crisis management to incident management once immediate risks have been addressed, with separate teams focused on maintaining and adapting business operations. Regular updates to employees and other stakeholders can also help communicate decisions and address misinformation during periods of uncertainty.