Ports, shipping, aviation cargo, warehousing and trade
Shares on the Dubai Financial Market and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange retreated following renewed Middle East air travel advisories and flight disruptions. Aviation, tourism, and consumer stocks faced notable downward pressure amid route diversions and elevated airfares. While domestic airspace has reopened, airport throughput and hotel occupancy in Dubai remained below prior-year levels.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has formally converted its Abu Dhabi interim operational hub into a permanent regional office. The location anchors infrastructure and trade financing connecting Asia, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Africa. Capitalized at $100 billion, the Beijing-based lender will leverage the base to expand sovereign and private-sector partnerships.
Chinese customs data reported on September 24, 2026, revealed that China's sulphur imports fell 65 percent year-on-year in August to roughly 277,300 tonnes. The supply contraction caused average import prices to surge nearly 246 percent, or 3.5 times higher per tonne. The United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and Canada supplied 80 percent of China's August sulphur imports as shipments from other Gulf countries dropped sharply.
Chinese customs data showed August 2026 sulphur imports dropped 65 percent year-on-year to approximately 277,300 tonnes due to Middle East maritime disruptions. Average import prices surged nearly 246 percent, with the UAE, South Korea, and Canada accounting for 80 percent of China's intake.
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