Developments in Qatar in the late 1970s, together with the anticipated end of the State run monopoly on shipping agency services, prompted the establishment of GAC Qatar in 1979.

Although the shipping agency monopoly did not end as soon as expected, GAC Qatar expanded its cargo related services and, when the shipping market finally opened in 2001, the company obtained its ship agency.

GAC Qatar achieved ISO 9002:2000 certification in April 1998.