The celebration in Turku, Finland, marked the official handover of the ship to the vacation brand ahead of a July 2026 European debut

MIAMI, June 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Royal Caribbean has officially welcomed Legend of the Seas to the family, continuing the evolution of the Icon Class lineup designed to deliver the best family vacation experiences. After nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, the third Icon Class ship is now ready to make its July 2026 European debut.

To mark the milestone, more than 1,200 crew members and partners came together for a legendary ceremony led by Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm. During the celebration, the team recognized the hard work of thousands of engineers, designers, architects and crew members who brought Legend to life and marked the transfer of ownership between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku.

“Today’s delivery of Legend of the Seas marks another important milestone in our ambition to continuously redefine the vacation experience,” said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “This new ship reflects the strength of the vacation ecosystem we are building – combining industry-leading ships, innovative technology, and exceptional experiences for our guests. It is an achievement only possible through the extraordinary partnership and expertise of Meyer Turku and the thousands of talented people whose creativity and commitment continue to help us design the future of vacations.”

The delivery is part of the company’s long-term framework agreement with Meyer Turku, securing the Group’s access to shipbuilding capacity through 2036, including the order of Icon 5 to be delivered in 2028, as well as the sixth and seventh Icon Class ships in 2029 and 2030, respectively.

Soon, Legend will journey from Turku to Cadiz, Spain, where Royal Caribbean will add finishing touches before vacationers set sail on 7-night Western Mediterranean adventures from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, this summer. In November, the ship will arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to deliver 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean vacations with every adventure visiting Royal Caribbean’s top-rated Perfect Day CocoCay.

“We’re incredibly proud to introduce Legend of the Seas to vacationers and continue the legacy of the revolutionary Icon Class,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean. “This wouldn’t be possible without the many talented individuals that came together to deliver what is truly the ultimate family vacation, and we look forward to making Legend‘s debut this summer a legendary one.”

Vacationers of all ages on Legend can experience an all-encompassing lineup of standout dining, immersive entertainment, adrenaline-filled activities and accommodations across eight neighborhoods.

• Legend will introduce the most dining at sea with 28 options for every occasion. New experiences include Hollywoodland Supper Club, a multi-course elevated dinner inspired by old Hollywood; Royal Railway – Legend Station, a five-course immersive train dining journey through the Silk Routes; and AquaDome Market, an all-inclusive food hall with five concepts, along with a new juice and smoothie bar for wellness-focused guests.
• Entertainment will span stage, air, water and ice, with productions designed for families, couples and multigenerational groups. Vacationers can experience Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and America’s Got Talent LIVE on Legend of the Seas, alongside deck-defying performances during the AquaTheater’s “Shockwave” and ice-skating spectacles at Absolute Zero’s show, “Fusion”.
• Families can enjoy seven pools and dedicated water experiences for all ages, including Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea; Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay in the Surfside family neighborhood; and adults-only spots at The Hideaway and Swim & Tonic swim-up bar.
• Adventurers looking for thrills can take on Crown’s Edge – part skywalk, part zip line experience 154 feet above the ocean. More adrenaline-pumping activities include mini golf at a new Lost Dunes, rock climbing at Adrenaline Peak, Category 6 waterpark, the FlowRider surf simulator and more.
• Signature Icon Class favorites on Legend include the Royal Promenade’s floor-to-ceiling ocean views and the Pearl – the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture – and the open-air Central Park, lined with more than 30,500 real plants, restaurants, live music, and convenient pick-up windows for sushi, champagne, sparkling wine and more.
• For families of all ages, there are plenty of ways to stay in style from the exclusive Suite Neighborhood to a redesigned three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, featuring a slide, dedicated entertainment spaces and rooms for the whole family.

Legend will be the vacation company’s fourth ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and feature a proven lineup of industry-leading environmental programs, including applications ranging from waste heat recovery systems to shore power connection. As Legend advances Royal Caribbean Group’s journey toward introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035, the vacation brand is also set to deliver their fifth ship powered by LNG with Hero of the Seas, the fourth Icon Class vacation set to debut in 2027.

“Legend of the Seas is the third Icon Class ship built at our shipyard, and constructing the series has enabled us to develop our production processes in a systematic way. We have built on the experience gained from the previous vessels and further improved efficiency with the customer and our extensive partner network,” said Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku. “The ship is an exceptional project in terms of both scale and technical complexity, requiring strong expertise and seamless collaboration across the entire maritime cluster. At the same time, Legend of the Seas moves shipbuilding towards more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable solutions.”

Royal Caribbean’s lineup of vacation experiences combines game-changing ships with one-of-a-kind destinations, including the game-changing Perfect Day CocoCay, the all-inclusive beach day experience at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas and the Ultimate Santorini Day at Royal Beach Club Santorini. The vacation brand continues to grow its portfolio of signature destinations across Mexico and Australia.

Vacations on Legend are open to book on Royal Caribbean’s website. 

About Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean, part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has delivered memorable vacations for more than 50 years. The cruise line’s game-changing ships and exclusive destinations revolutionize vacations with industry-leading innovations and an all-encompassing combination of experiences, from thrills and ways to chill, to dining and entertainment, for every type of family and vacationer. Voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 23 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, Royal Caribbean makes memories with adventurers across more than 300 destinations in 80 countries on all seven continents, including Perfect Day CocoCay in The Bahamas and Royal Beach Clubs in Paradise Island and Santorini, plus Royal Beach Club Lelepa launching October 2027.  

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on X and visit www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to book, vacationers can visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com, call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN or contact their travel advisor. 

Earned Top 1% rankings in both Global and China editions
Distinguished as ‘Industry Mover’ in China edition for second consecutive year
Demonstrates the company’s exceptional performance in ESG

MACAO, June 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sands China Ltd. has once again been recognised by the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook, earning Top 1% rankings in the Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) scores of the 2026 yearbook’s Global and China editions. The company also received the ‘Industry Mover’ distinction in the China edition for the second consecutive year, making it the only integrated tourism and leisure enterprise worldwide to earn any of these three accolades this year. These recognitions underscore Sands China’s sustained international acclaim for its outstanding achievements in ESG (environmental, social and governance).

Fourth consecutive Top 1% CSA score in yearbook’s China edition
The S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook is regarded as one of the most prestigious publications for evaluating sustainability efforts in the business world. Assessments are based on a company’s score in the CSA. For this year’s China edition, S&P Global assessed nearly 1,800 companies from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, with 193 companies across 56 industries selected for the yearbook. Sands China is one of only 36 companies to rank in the Top 1% of CSA scores in the China edition, marking its fourth consecutive year to earn this accolade. The company was furthermore named the Industry Mover for its industry category for the second year, another significant recognition of its ESG efforts.

To become an Industry Mover, a company’s CSA score must increase by more than 5 percent from the prior year, while also achieving outstanding results in its industry category. Sands China accomplished both, increasing its CSA score by more than 6 percent.

Third consecutive Top 1% CSA score in yearbook’s Global edition
The Global edition of the yearbook assessed more than 9,200 companies worldwide, with 848 companies across 59 industries selected for the yearbook. Sands China is among only 71 companies with a Top 1% CSA score, marking its third straight year in the global leading position.

S&P Global’s CSA is an evaluation of the sustainability practices and achievements of companies from around the world. To be included in the Global Sustainability Yearbook, a company must earn a CSA score that not only ranks within the top 15 percent of its industry by number, but also falls within 30% of the top score in the industry.

Grant Chum, chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd., said: “Sustainability is the cornerstone of corporate resilience and long-term development. Sands China is very honoured to be once again ranked in the Top 1% in both the Global and China editions of the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook. These recognitions fully affirm our continued investment and achievements in innovation and long-term planning. As the company continues to enhance the guest experience, we have also proactively implemented sustainable operating strategies, striving to reduce environmental impact and generate positive social outcomes. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Macao SAR government for their continuous guidance in leading Macao toward a sustainable future. We are also grateful to our community partners from various sectors and our 28,000 dedicated team members for their collaboration and support. Together, these concerted efforts have enabled us to achieve these remarkable international recognitions.”

Sands China’s commitment to exceptional ESG performance is exemplified in efforts like delivering 1.8 million hours of workforce training in 2025. The company also reduced its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 61% from a 2018 base year, exceeding both the 17.5% Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-validated and 1.5°C-aligned 30% reduction targets, in alignment with the Paris Agreement. Additionally, the company’s volunteer team has engaged in more than 362,000 hours of community service since 2009, bringing positive impact to the community. Moreover, the company achieved its core ESG targets for the 2021-2025 reporting cycle – a phase that marked Sands China’s evolution and upgrades, and its unwavering commitment to operational excellence and the creation of positive long-term social impact, even amidst market challenges.

Sands China executes its ESG efforts within the context of the People, Community, and Planet pillars of the company’s corporate social responsibility platform. This holistic approach is brought to life through a variety of flagship initiatives such as the Sands ECO360 global sustainability programme, the Sands Cares corporate giving and community engagement programme, and the Sands China Academy team member professional development programme – all designed to carry out the company’s social responsibility work in the community. By intertwining economic success with social responsibility, Sands China remains dedicated to uplifting the Macao community and fostering a thriving environment to live and work. 

About Sands China Ltd. 
Sands China Ltd. (Sands China or the Company) is incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEx: 1928). Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The Company’s integrated resorts on the Cotai Strip comprise The Venetian^® Macao, The Plaza^® Macao, The Parisian^® Macao and The Londoner^® Macao. The Company also owns and operates Sands^® Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company’s portfolio features a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation operations, including large meeting and convention facilities; a wide range of restaurants; shopping malls; world-class entertainment at The Venetian Arena, The Londoner Arena, The Venetian Theatre, The Parisian Theatre, The Londoner Theatre and Sands Theatre; and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The Company’s Cotai Strip portfolio has the goal of contributing to Macao’s transformation into a world centre of tourism and leisure. Sands China is a subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS).

For more information, please visit www.sandschina.com.

Media contacts:
Corporate Communications, Sands China Ltd.
Mabel Wu
Tel: +853 8118 2268
Email: mabel.wu@sands.com.mo

Jesse Chiang
Tel: +853 8118 2054
Email: jesse.chiang@sands.com.mo

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., June 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Titomic USA, Inc. proudly celebrates its first anniversary, marking a year of remarkable growth, strategic partnerships, and continued advancement of its Titomic Kinetic Fusion™ (TKF)™ cold spray additive manufacturing, coatings, and repairs technology across the United States and globally. This is a monumental accomplishment for Titomic Limited, establishing capability in the United State within 12 months thereby significantly accelerating the company’s commercialization plan, while supporting the company’s broader strategy to increase its operational footprint and cement its global headquarters presence in the United States.

Since establishing its U.S. operations in Huntsville, Alabama, Titomic USA, Inc. has rapidly expanded its position within the aerospace, defense, industrial, and energy sectors, bringing TKF™ cold spray technology closer to customers seeking innovative solutions for manufacturing, repair, and sustainment applications.

Over the past year, Titomic USA, Inc. has strengthened relationships with leading government agencies, defense organizations, research institutions, and commercial partners while demonstrating the transformative capabilities of TKF™ cold spray technology. Titomic has hosted senior government officials, to include the Department of War’s chief acquisition and sustainment official, as well as corporate leaders from traditional primes and more recent market leaders, to share how the company can deliver solutions that reduce production lead times, extend asset life, and improve operational readiness while strengthening supply chain resilience.

“This Titomic USA first anniversary marks a momentous milestone,” said Dr. Patti Dare, President, Titomic USA, Inc. “Our growth trajectory and innovations over the past year demonstrate that speed to market is not just a goal but a core Titomic capability.  From establishing a U.S. manufacturing capability in an accelerated timeframe, to demonstrating the ability in select applications to reduce production timelines from months to weeks, days and hours, without sacrificing quality. We are redefining what is possible for advanced manufacturing! With our partners, we are innovating and transforming how components are produced and the amount of critical materials used. We are strengthening supply chain resilience by expanding our U.S. and allied supplier relationships. All of these efforts are aimed at providing rapidly scalable, high-quality solutions to meet demanding industry challenges, to include the U.S. Government imperative for speed. We are grateful to our customers, partners, employees, and community who have contributed to our success and welcomed Titomic as a trusted leader in TKF™ cold spray innovation.”

During its inaugural year, Titomic USA, Inc. achieved several key milestones, including:

• Expansion of customer and supplier relationships across defense, aerospace, energy, and industrial markets
• Installation and commissioning of TKF™ 523 and TKF™ 623 Cold Spray booths, expanding production and application capabilities for customer projects and technology demonstrations
• Addition of the flagship TKF™ 3250 system, substantially enhancing large-format additive manufacturing and repair capabilities within the U.S. market
• Establishment of a dedicated Metrology Laboratory, providing advanced inspection, measurement, and quality assurance capabilities to support customer requirements and industry standards
• Development of an in-house Machine Shop, enabling end-to-end manufacturing, machining, finishing, and component restoration services
• Demonstration and deployment of advanced cold spray repair and restoration solutions for critical components
• Strengthening of strategic partnerships with government, defense, research, and commercial stakeholders
• Continued investment in local talent, technical expertise, and customer support capabilities

As Titomic USA, Inc. enters its second year, the company continues bringing disruptive technology to the United States and is committed to accelerating innovation, expanding customer collaborations, and advancing the adoption of sustainable, efficient manufacturing solutions throughout North America.

“Our vision is to transform how industries manufacture, repair, and sustain critical components,” added Jim Simpson, CEO & Managing Director at Titomic Limited. “The momentum we have built in our first year provides a strong foundation for future growth as we continue expanding our manufacturing, repair, and sustainment capabilities while serving increasingly complex customer requirements.”

This announcement has been authorized for release by Titomic’s Board of Directors.

ABOUT TITOMIC LIMITED

Titomic Limited (ASX: TTT) is a leading Advanced manufacturing company with global operations specializing in large integrated solutions for industrial- scale metal additive manufacturing, coating, and repairs using its patented kinetic fusion cold spray (Titomic Kinetic Fusion™) technology. Titomic Kinetic Fusion™ cold spray solutions provide OEM production and R&D services to the global Aerospace, Defense, Shipbuilding, Oil & Gas, Mining and Automotive industries. Titomic also offers global sales and support for all its Titomic Kinetic Fusion™ cold spray AM activities from its Huntsville, Alabama Global Headquarters, as well as through local presence in the Australia and Europe. Titomic delivers competitive advantages in metal additive manufacturing at every stage in the product value chain. For more information, please visit www.titomic.com.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements made in this release are forward-looking statements and are based on Titomic’s current expectations, estimates and projections. Words such as “anticipates”, “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “guidance” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although Titomic believes the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, they are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Titomic’s control, including those risks or uncertainties inherent in the process of both developing and commercializing technology. As a result, actual results could materially differ from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. Titomic will not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions or updates to these forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or unanticipated events occurring after the date of this release except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory authority.

TOKYO, June 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IRIS Optronics, a pioneer in full-color Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Display (ChLCD) technology, today announced that it has been honored with the 2026 Digital Signage Award, presented by the Digital Signage Consortium (DSC) of Japan.

The award recognizes IRIS Optronics for redefining the role of digital signage through technological innovation, helping shift the industry from conventional attention-grabbing, advertising-focused displays toward information-centric signage designed for effective communication and enhanced user engagement. The recognition also underscores the growing market acceptance and commercial potential of full-color ChLCD e-Paper technology in Japan’s digital signage sector.

“IRIS Optronics has been cultivating the Japanese market for many years. Following the opening of our Tokyo office and the launch of our latest B3-size product at the end of May, receiving the DSJ Award in early June is a strong endorsement of both our technology and our long-term commitment to the Japanese market,” said Dr. Albert Liao, Chairman and CEO of IRIS Optronics. “The Digital Signage Award is one of the industry’s most prestigious annual recognitions in Japan. Beyond technological excellence, the evaluation criteria emphasize user experience and social value creation, reflecting a broader industry transition from focusing solely on hardware specifications to delivering meaningful real-world applications. With its full 16-million-color display capability, ultra-low power consumption, and energy-efficient design, IRIS Optronics’ full-color ChLCD e-Paper aligns closely with the evolving needs of Japan’s commercial display market. This recognition is particularly meaningful to us.”

Organized annually by the Digital Signage Consortium, the Digital Signage Award honors outstanding digital signage projects selected from publicly submitted entries, with the objective of promoting innovation and accelerating the development of the digital signage industry. This year, approximately one hundred submissions from DSC members were evaluated, resulting in the selection of one Grand Prize winner and ten Excellence Award recipients.

IRIS Optronics’ proprietary ChLCD technology employs a display mechanism fundamentally different from conventional Electrophoretic Display (EPD) technology. It delivers exceptional durability, vibrant color reproduction, and excellent readability across diverse lighting environments while maintaining ultra-low power consumption. The technology can also be integrated with solar power systems to enable self-powered operation, further enhancing its suitability for sustainable information display applications. These capabilities were highly regarded by the award judging panel and contributed significantly to the company’s recognition.

ABU DHABI, UAE, June 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Robo.ai Inc. (NASDAQ: AIIO) today announced the appointment of Emirati executive Mr. Rashed Aleghfeli as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of its wholly-owned data processing and compression subsidiary, Neurovia AI. Mr. Aleghfeli will oversee the daily operational management and core strategic execution of the company. Concurrently, Neurovia AI confirmed its participation as the OFFICIAL AI INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNER at the upcoming UAE Data Center Infrastructure & Cloud Summit 2026, scheduled for June 11 in Abu Dhabi. In his new capacity as COO, Mr. Aleghfeli will represent the company and deliver an address titled “Unload Data Burden, Unlock AI Power: Building a Resilient AI Infrastructure in UAE”.

Prior to joining Neurovia AI, Mr. Aleghfeli accumulated over a decade of professional experiences in government and public relations, international collaboration and operational management. He previously served an extended tenure as a senior staff member at the Government of Ajman, where he coordinated, planned, and executed complex operational and government and public relations initiatives. Through extensive practice in large-scale cross-departmental coordination, high-level event management, and systemic process optimization, Mr. Aleghfeli has demonstrated leadership capabilities in managing high-level government-enterprise partnerships and complex system engineering. Mr. Aleghfeli holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies from the University of Wales in the UK, and has completed international management training programs in the USA. His established regional government-enterprise network and global perspective will provide operational support and compliance assurance for the large-scale commercialization of Neurovia AI’s infrastructure in the Middle East and global core markets.

At the upcoming 2026 UAE Data Center Infrastructure & Cloud Summit, Mr. Aleghfeli will detail Neurovia AI’s core strategy regarding the development of foundational data platforms for Physical AI. The Summit, hosted by the UAE Cyber Security Council and supported by the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, is a core high-level forum convening senior government stakeholders to discuss national digital infrastructure investments and cloud strategy evolution in the Middle East. Operating as the Summit’s OFFICIAL AI INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNER, Neurovia AI will participate in dialogues surrounding regional digital foundations, aiming to integrate the highly efficient data processing and compression capabilities of the NeuroStream™ platform into government-led digital transformation frameworks to advance the large-scale deployment of smart infrastructure across the region. Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Aleghfeli said: “The UAE is building the most ambitious digital infrastructure in the world, and the data layer beneath it must be trusted, efficient, and sovereign. That is precisely what Neurovia AI delivers. I am proud to join this team and committed to driving the operational foundations that will bring NeuroStream™ to governments and enterprises across the region and beyond”.

This executive appointment and Summit participation further establish Robo.ai and Neurovia AI’s strategic positioning within the regional core digital infrastructure network. The company is advancing the standardized delivery of its underlying data processing and compression technology in high-concurrency government and enterprise environments, establishing a solid operational foundation for the long-term growth of Robo.ai’s global machine economy platform.

About the UAE Data Center Infrastructure & Cloud Summit 2026
The UAE Data Center Infrastructure & Cloud Summit 2026 serves as a core high-level forum in the Middle East focused on national digital infrastructure development and cloud platform evolution. As the UAE accelerates its transition to a comprehensive digital economy, the Summit gathers regional government officials, regulatory representatives, and technology executives to examine the strategic role of modern data centers, cloud architectures, and artificial intelligence infrastructure in enhancing operational efficiency, supporting digital governance, and ensuring national digital sovereignty, providing clear direction for the modernization and sustainable development of digital infrastructure in the region.

About Neurovia AI Limited
Neurovia AI (www.neuroviaai.ae) is an AI infrastructure and visual data processing technology company operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Robo.ai Inc. (NASDAQ: AIIO). Guided by its core philosophy to “Unload the data burden, unlock AI power,” the company leverages its NeuroStream™ platform to drive the transition of visual data architectures from human viewing to machine understanding. By applying AI-native compression and edge computing, Neurovia AI addresses critical bottlenecks in data storage, transmission, and computation for Physical AI. Its technology serves core sectors including safety and security, autonomous driving, smart cities, and intelligent manufacturing, providing foundational data support for global machine perception and collaboration.

About Robo.ai Inc.
Robo.ai Inc. (NASDAQ: AIIO) is a technology company focused on building an artificial intelligence machine economy platform. Through the systematic integration of AI software, intelligent hardware, and smart assets, the company builds a unified AI operating system and an empowered ecosystem, delivering efficient, compliant, and hardware-software integrated infrastructure solutions for global government and enterprise clients.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ from expectations; for further details, please refer to the relevant disclosure documents filed by Robo.ai Inc. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Media Contacts
Neurovia AI Corporate Communications
Email: info@neuroviaai.ae
Website: www.neuroviaai.ae
Robo.ai Inc. Corporate Communications
Email: pr@roboai.io
Website: www.roboai.io

• DMCC Future of Trade 2026 report finds global trade will be shaped by AI, tariff shock, critical minerals and clean tech competition
• More than 80% of global trade leaders expect slow trade growth with ongoing disruption, while only 4% expect best-case scenario
• AI-related goods made up 43% of global merchandise trade growth in first half of 2025, growing five times faster than non-AI goods
• Nearly one fifth of goods imports impacted by tariffs or similar measures
• South-South trade accounts for around 35% of global trade, outpacing North-North flows
• Future of Trade 2026 launches in London before follow up events in Dubai and Singapore
• Full report can be accessed and downloaded here: www.futureoftrade.com 

DUBAI, UAE, June 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DMCC, the leading international business district that drives the flow of global trade through Dubai, today launched its Future of Trade 2026 report that finds that global trade will remain resilient over the next two years but fundamentally reshaped by artificial intelligence, structural tariff volatility, supply chains designed for resilience, and a contest for industrial advantage in critical minerals and infrastructure powering global clean energy and technologies.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: 
https://www.multivu.com/dmcc/9402751-en-ai-tariffs-critical-minerals-competition-reshape-global-commerce-dmcc-trade-report

The report, Future of Trade 2026: Rebuilding Through Rupture, comes as businesses confront a sharp deterioration in the predictability of the global trade landscape. Nearly 20% of global merchandise imports are now subject to tariffs or similar restrictions, up from 12.6% a year earlier, while more than four in five business leaders surveyed by DMCC expect slow growth, continued supply chain disruption and prolonged geopolitical volatility in the coming years. Almost 12% expect a worst-case scenario driven by escalating conflict, tariffs, sanctions and financial fragmentation. Only 4% expect a best-case outcome.

At the same time, AI is rapidly emerging as the dominant driver of trade growth. Trade in AI-related goods, including semiconductors, servers and data-centre hardware, expanded by more than 20% in the first half of 2025, compared with less than 4% growth for non-AI goods. Although AI-related goods account for only 15% of global trade by volume, they generated 43% of total trade growth during the period, according to the report.

The report forecasts merchandise exports to slow to 1.9% in 2026, down from 4.6% in 2025, before marginally recovering to 2.6% in 2027. Services exports are forecast to continue outpacing goods.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: “AI-related goods accounted for 43% of global trade growth in the first half of 2025, despite representing just 15% of global trade by volume. This underscores where global trade is heading. We are entering a new phase in which competitiveness will be defined not only by cost or geography, but by technology, connectivity, energy access, and the ability to adapt quickly to disruption. In a more complex and fragmented environment, the role of globally connected hubs becomes even more important.

“Dubai has positioned itself at the centre of these shifts by remaining open, agile, and deeply connected to global markets. With almost 27,000 companies in our district, DMCC sees these changes unfolding in real time across commodities, technology, finance, and trade. The businesses and economies that will lead over the next decade are those building resilience, investing in technology, and creating stronger connections across global markets.”

Feryal Ahmadi, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer, DMCC, said: “The trade environment is becoming more complex, but also more connected. AI is already improving efficiency across customs, logistics, compliance and trade finance, and we are now moving towards practical, operational deployment. Stablecoins, tokenisation and wholesale central bank digital currencies are beginning to support faster and more flexible settlement in certain corridors. Data regulation, cybersecurity and digital governance are becoming increasingly important considerations for businesses operating internationally.

“In this environment, trade hubs like DMCC have an important role to play in anticipating the needs of global businesses and ensuring they can continue to operate, grow and adapt through periods of disruption and change. The companies that will perform best are those investing in technology, building operational resilience and remaining agile as global trade continues to evolve.”

The Future of Trade 2026 is the sixth and tenth-anniversary edition of DMCC’s biennial flagship report on the changing nature of global trade. It draws on 12 roundtables with over 200 senior leaders, policymakers and trade experts across key global trade centres, alongside a survey of more than 130 leading businesses and trade practitioners.

Four Forces Shaping the Future of Trade

The report identifies four structural forces reshaping global commerce: AI moving from experimentation to operational deployment; the breakdown of a stable tariff framework; the shift from efficiency-led to resilience-led supply chains; and the energy transition becoming a contest for industrial and geopolitical advantage.

The Growing AI Divide

One of the report’s most consequential findings is the widening gap between businesses treating AI as a strategic priority and those still running pilots. Fewer than 15% of firms surveyed describe their AI deployment as fully integrated; more than a quarter report no meaningful adoption at all. With agentic AI systems beginning to take on complex logistics, compliance and trade finance decisions, the report warns that this gap will harden into a structural competitive divide. Meanwhile, AI-related goods such as semiconductors, servers and data centre hardware, expanded 20% in the first half of 2025, five times the rate of non-AI merchandise. The WTO estimates that sustained AI-related trade growth could add 0.5 percentage points to global export volumes.

The end of the tariff rulebook

The dismantling of rules-based trade has accelerated faster than most forecasters anticipated. The Trump administration’s tariff regime, though legally contested and partially struck down by the Supreme Court in February 2026, has been rapidly replaced by Section 122 and Section 301 instruments covering 90-95% of US imports. More than half of respondents now expect trade to become more regional and bloc-based. Only 17% anticipate a more multilateral outcome.

Supply chains built for resilience

The “China + 1” diversification model has been overtaken in many sectors by broader “China + many” strategies. U.S. imports from Vietnam rose 345% between 2014 and 2024; imports from India rose 94% and from Mexico 72% over the same period, while imports from China contracted 5%. The 2026 conflict with Iran which precipitated the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 25% of global seaborne oil and 19% of LNG transits, has added urgency and sent Brent crude above $120 per barrel, reducing tanker transits by approximately 90% from pre-conflict levels. The report notes that 45% of businesses have already engaged in onshoring, nearshoring or friendshoring. Among DMCC’s own survey respondents, those describing their supply chains as more regionalised and resilience-driven nearly double those describing them as more globalised and efficiency-driven.

The energy transition as new industrial contest

Clean energy investment reached a record $2.3 trillion in 2025, outpacing fossil fuel investment by $102 billion. But the transition has become as much a competition for industrial advantage as an environmental imperative. China controls 94% of global sintered permanent magnet production, an input critical to EVs, wind turbines, AI data centres and defence systems, and leads refining for 19 of 20 strategic minerals tracked by the IEA. With average lead times of 16 years from mineral discovery to production, the report argues that supply diversification is a long-term solution to a near-term problem.

The next generation of finance

The global trade finance gap has held at $2.5 trillion, with SMEs and developing-economy exporters bearing a disproportionate share. The report identifies next-generation financial infrastructure as a potential partial remedy, with global stablecoin supply exceeding $300 billion in early 2026, B2B stablecoin payments growing 733% year-on-year in 2025, and the first cross-border CBDC transaction on the mBridge platform successfully processed in November 2025.

Rise of South-South trade

One of the report’s quieter but structurally significant findings is the continued rise of South-South trade and growing influence of middle powers. Flows between developing economies now account for approximately 35% of global trade, outpacing North-North flows, and accelerating. The IMF forecasts that by 2030, emerging and developing economies will account for around two-thirds of global growth. The report points to the UAE, India and Singapore as global “connectors” and examples of middle power economies capturing redirected trade and investment flows through infrastructure and diversified trade relationships.

DMCC’s Future of Trade 2026 report puts forward a series of key recommendations to businesses and governments to support trade resilience and growth:

Policy Recommendations for Businesses:

• Build resilience as a continuous operating discipline. Map single-country, single-route and single-supplier dependencies; stress-test tariff, sanctions, shipping disruption and energy price scenarios; and maintain strategic inventories where continuity is critical.
• Scale AI in high-friction trade processes. Prioritise demand forecasting, customs, compliance, documentation, logistics routing, trade finance and risk assessment where measurable savings and productivity gains can be tracked.
• Treat data as a trade asset. Invest in clean, interoperable data systems and map exposure to data localisation and cross-border data rules before entering or expanding in key markets.
• Build optionality in payments and finance. Maintain traditional banking relationships while testing fintech, tokenised and digital settlement rails in corridors where speed, cost and liquidity advantages are clear.
• Secure critical inputs. Assess exposure to semiconductors, compute, energy, water and critical minerals, and build supplier diversification and long-term sourcing arrangements where supply concentration poses material risk.

Policy Recommendations for Governments:

• Use trade agreements to set practical digital standards. Prioritise AI, data, e-commerce, paperless trade and digital identity provisions, rather than relying on tariff schedules alone.
• Accelerate paperless trade. Set clear timelines for electronic bills of lading, digital customs, e-invoicing and interoperable documentation, while funding SME adoption to avoid widening the digital divide.
• Expand trade finance access. Work with banks, development finance institutions and fintechs to lower due diligence costs, improve risk assessment and channel finance to SMEs and developing economy exporters.
• Build resilient trade corridors. Invest in ports, logistics, energy grids, data centres and customs systems that can absorb route disruption and support AI-enabled trade.
• Develop critical minerals and clean technology partnerships. Use long-term offtake agreements, recycling capacity, standards alignment and transparent supply chains to reduce chokepoints without fragmenting markets further.

Use long-term offtake agreements, recycling capacity, standards alignment and transparent supply chains to reduce chokepoints without fragmenting markets further.

Report launch

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DMCC’s Executive Chairman and CEO, unveiled the report to a packed crowd at One Marylebone in London, UK. Following the London launch, DMCC will present the report to key business stakeholders in Dubai and Singapore.

The Future of Trade is DMCC’s biennial flagship research on the changing nature of global trade. The report examines the impact of global economic trends, geopolitics, technology, sustainability, trade finance and infrastructure on the future of the trade landscape, with recommendations for businesses and governments navigating a more fragmented and fast-moving global economy.

To read the full report by DMCC, please visit: www.futureoftrade.com 

About DMCC

DMCC is a leading international business district that drives the flow of global trade through Dubai. We make it easier for our members to do business, helping them access the world’s fastest growing markets from a dynamic district that offers everything they need to thrive. This approach is why we are the preferred location for over 26,000 top multinationals and high-impact startups, contributing significantly to Dubai’s position as a global hub for trade and innovation. DMCC is where the world does business.

For more information, visit dmcc.ae.

Four in Five Business Leaders Expect Permanent Disruption as AI, Tariffs and Critical Minerals Competition Reshape Global Commerce, Finds DMCC Future of Trade

TAIPEI and LONDON, June 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KINGSTEEL recently visited D3O, a global leader in advanced protection materials, where the two companies officially initiated a strategic development partnership focused on next-generation SCF applications and advanced manufacturing solutions. The collaboration brings together complementary expertise in material science and manufacturing technology to explore future opportunities in high-performance protection applications.

D3O is internationally recognized for its advanced protective materials and impact protection technologies, with applications spanning sports, industrial, and other high-performance sectors. The company works closely with leading global brands in markets where protection, comfort, and performance are critical.

KINGSTEEL has continued to invest in physical foaming injection molding technologies, process innovation, equipment development, and scalable manufacturing integration. Through years of technical development and real-world production experience, KINGSTEEL has established strong capabilities in process control, equipment engineering, and manufacturing solutions for advanced material applications.

Both companies believe that the future of high-performance products will increasingly depend on deeper integration between advanced materials and advanced manufacturing technologies. This partnership combines D3O’s expertise in material science and product performance with KINGSTEEL’s strengths in process technology and scalable production capability to jointly accelerate next-generation SCF development.

The collaboration will focus on future applications involving impact protection, vibration management, shock absorption, and other high-performance product solutions, while continuing to explore new opportunities across emerging application areas.

According to KINGSTEEL, this partnership represents not only an important milestone between the two companies, but also reflects a broader industry trend toward closer collaboration between advanced materials and next-generation manufacturing technologies to deliver higher-value products and future-oriented manufacturing solutions.