Ports, shipping, aviation cargo, warehousing and trade
Global crude oil prices rose around 2 percent on October 1, 2026, after China suspended refined fuel exports outside Hong Kong and Macau. Brent crude moved above $100 per barrel as domestic refiners prioritized national stockpiles. Concurrently, Saudi Arabia resumed tanker loadings from Yanbu, with Gulf exports recovering to 23.3 million barrels per day.
China's LNG imports are estimated at 5.3 million tons in September 2026, down 8 percent year-on-year amid high spot prices and Middle East war risks. Chinese state buyers are exploring long-term contracts bypassing the Strait of Hormuz while maintaining binding agreements with Qatar.
Abu Dhabi is advancing an infrastructure push dubbed 'Zero Hormuz' to reduce export reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. Led by Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, sovereign platform L'imad Holding is preparing to commit tens of billions of dollars to ports and logistics outside the chokepoint, particularly in Fujairah. The initiative follows moves to take AD Ports Group private at a valuation near $9 billion.
Hong Kong authorities granted Baidu's Apollo Go a fully driverless vehicle trial permit on Airport Island following extensive road tests. The deployment aligns with broader international expansion by Chinese autonomous driving operators, including WeRide's robotaxi operations across Abu Dhabi and Dubai in partnership with Uber and Grab. Financial and industry data show rapid trip volume growth alongside ongoing profitability and technical reliability challenges.
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