Shipping risks in the Middle East and rising demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure are reshaping trade finance corridors between the Gulf and China. Bankers report credit facility expansions to cover longer transit times, while IMF leadership warns of persistently elevated energy prices.
A total of 107 flights to Riyadh and Dammam were cancelled due to airport closures in Saudi Arabia. The disruptions stranded 16,620 passengers across direct and transit services operated by multiple regional and international airlines.
Chinese energy storage suppliers disclosed approximately 94GWh in system orders during the third quarter of 2026, with overseas contracts accounting for 93% of signed volumes. Major Middle East deals drove this surge, including an 11.275GWh contract between BYD and the UAE's Masdar as well as a 7.5GWh deal won by Sungrow in the UAE. The Middle East represented 21.3GWh, or 28.7% of total signed capacity, behind Europe's 31.2GWh.
The Baltic Exchange reported sharp increases in crude tanker freight rates connecting the Gulf region to China on October 9, 2026. Very Large Crude Carrier earnings on key Middle East to China routes experienced substantial daily gains amid vessel constraints and strong chartering activity.
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