The Arxan road checkpoint, located in Hinggan League in Inner Mongolia (Northern China) on the border with Mongolia, has officially moved to year-round operations. Previously, it functioned only eight months a year.

With this change, Arxan becomes the fourth year-round international land checkpoint in Inner Mongolia. It is considered one of the most convenient and accessible border crossings connecting China and Mongolia.

China’s digital yuan (e-CNY) is already being used in international transactions, enabling cross-border payments in seconds without relying on SWIFT, said Boris Titov, Chairman of the Russian–Chinese Committee of Peace, Friendship and Development.

According to him, while the platform is currently accessible mainly to government agencies and banks, a number of accredited companies have already begun offering digital-yuan payment services to businesses. The Committee plans to provide Russian entrepreneurs with guidance on how to use e-CNY for secure and efficient cross-border settlements.

Commenting on the digital ruble, Titov noted that its rollout is “slightly behind” the Chinese timeline but is now “close to launch.”

The Suez Canal is officially making waves again ?

After months of decline due to regional tensions, October marked the best month in two years for vessel transits through the canal. The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) reported a 10% rise in total tonnage between July and October, with more than 4,400 ships passing through — including 229 returning vessels last month alone.

To keep the momentum going, SCA Chairman Admiral Ossama Rabiee met with representatives from 20 major shipping companies to discuss the latest developments in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb. His message? “We’re open — and ready to welcome you back.” ?

Among the highlights:

- CMA CGM has begun trial voyages with 17,000+ TEU ships and plans to increase traffic through the canal.

- MSC expects a swift return of southbound vessels soon.

- Evergreen and COSCO both confirmed readiness to resume full operations once conditions stabilize.

However, as Inchcape Shipping Agency noted, high marine insurance costs remain a key obstacle delaying some carriers’ return.

Still, optimism is rising — and the Suez Canal appears ready to reclaim its role as a vital artery for global trade.

After nearly five days of disruption at Europe’s largest container port, hundreds of striking lashers in Rotterdam have agreed to temporarily suspend their strike starting Monday morning to allow wage negotiations with employers to resume. The decision follows a court hearing, where the FNV union and port company representatives agreed to meet again on Sunday to continue discussions.

The strike, which began last Wednesday, had brought container operations to a halt, with around 700 workers stopping work entirely — leading to a backlog of vessels waiting to be handled. Both sides have now agreed that port operations will resume from 07:00 on Monday through Friday. If no deal is reached by the end of the week, the strike may resume. Employers, already facing heavy operational losses, have reportedly sought legal intervention should the talks fail.

The situation in Rotterdam highlights the growing tension in Europe’s port logistics sector, where rising inflation and competition between terminal operators are fueling stronger union demands for better wages and working conditions.

For logistics companies, the disruption has already led to higher charter and demurrage costs, while shipping lines face potential schedule delays across major Northern European hubs.

FNV (Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging) — the largest trade union federation in the Netherlands, founded in 1976. It represents over 1 million workers across various industries, including manufacturing, transport, and maritime logistics.

Japanese shipping giant NYK is scaling up robotic hull cleaning across its global fleet of nearly 800 vessels through a new partnership with Neptune Robotics.

NYK has been testing Neptune’s technology for three years, reporting significant fuel savings and lower carbon emissions. Early trials show that every $1 spent on robotic cleaning generates up to $10 in fuel savings by reducing hull resistance.

As part of the new MOU, NYK is also investing in Neptune’s $52 million Series B funding round to support global expansion, R&D, and AI-driven platforms. The goal: wider access to robotic cleaning services, especially in Japan, and faster adoption across the shipping sector.

Neptune already operates in over 60 ports across China and Singapore — covering 70% of major global trade routes. Its robots can clean a full capesize bulker in just 24 hours, including specialized services that meet Australia and New Zealand’s strict standards.

NYK says the collaboration will not only decarbonize its own fleet but also set an example for the broader maritime industry.