Ports, shipping, aviation cargo, warehousing and trade
China's outbound direct investment into the UAE reached $2.6 billion, more than tripling from the previous reporting year and raising cumulative investment stock to $12.47 billion. Bilateral non-oil trade surpassed $100 billion alongside major UAE expansions by Chinese firms including China Securities, JINGDONG Property, and Momenta.
In 2025, Oman exported 4,500 tonnes of squid worth US$11.6 million across 19 countries, with China ranking among the top buyers alongside Vietnam and Malaysia. Total domestic squid landings reached approximately 14,000 tonnes, dominated by traditional artisanal fishing. Oman also imported about 485 tonnes of squid during the year, with Yemen, China, and the UAE serving as the leading suppliers.
Chinese autonomous driving firms including WeRide, Baidu Apollo Go, and Momenta are accelerating commercial robotaxi deployments across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These rollouts align with Dubai's 25 percent driverless trip target and follow a bilateral MoU signed by the UAE and China to expand cooperation in digital infrastructure, AI, and smart transportation. Official data also shows over 14,500 Chinese business licenses active in the UAE.
The Drewry World Container Index reached $4,434 per 40ft container in early October 2026, marking a roughly 154 percent year-on-year increase. Despite an easing of Red Sea routing and a 68 percent rebound in Suez transits, China-to-Gulf shipping rates remained elevated due to disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Ocean carrier Maersk has implemented emergency surcharges, constraining capacity between Chinese ports and Gulf hubs like Jebel Ali.
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