China

China–UAE News

Soaring Tanker Freight Rates Spur Asian Refiners to Pivot to UAE Murban Crude

Record crude tanker freight rates have made shipments of US crude oil to Asia economically unviable, with charter rates from the US Gulf of Mexico to China reaching $80 million for a very large crude carrier. In response, Asian refiners are switching to alternatives including UAE Murban crude, which has traded at an estimated $2 per barrel delivered discount compared with West Texas Intermediate. The shifting demand caused Murban's cash premium over Dubai quotes to rebound above $11 per barrel.

Industry News

China-US Container Rates Peak as Alternative Gulf Routes Ease Hormuz Pressures

Spot container shipping rates from China to the United States have peaked after surging over 330 percent since late February amid the Strait of Hormuz crisis, according to Xeneta data. The market is stabilizing as alternative logistics routes absorb disrupted regional flows, with approximately 40 percent of bypass shipments utilizing the UAE Port of Fujairah and offshore transfers.

Industry News

Nextgen Relocates Global Headquarters to UAE Amid Enterprise AI Demand

UK-founded AI transformation firm Nextgen has moved its global headquarters to the UAE, setting up Dubai as its primary base. The company, which has previously expanded into China and India, cited growing demand among regional enterprises to scale AI operations into production. Nextgen reports having over 75 specialists across five offices and more than 200 AI use cases deployed.

China–UAE News

Kenya Neobank Cloud9 Secures Alliance Investment, Reaching $1M in Total Funding

Kenyan digital bank Cloud9 has secured an undisclosed investment from crypto accelerator Alliance, bringing total funding to $1 million, Disrupt Africa reported. The platform operates on stablecoin rails to facilitate cross-border settlement for African merchants importing goods from hubs including China and Dubai. Cloud9 plans to use the capital to expand trade payment corridors, roll out physical and virtual cards, and grow its user base.