Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: Alipay Expands AI Payments Ecosystem; Hydrogen Data Center Pilot Thailand; Animoca Backs AI Trading Protocol; De Nora Acquires BW Water; Genesia Ventures Closes $113M Fund; Malaysia Revises Equity Listing Rules; GIC Temasek Join Anthropic Round; TECO Expands Malaysia Data Infrastructure; Quanta Expands Vietnam Manufacturing Capacity; and Vietnam Considers Crypto Collateral Loans

Environmental Sustainability: Pacific Channel Expands Climate Portfolio Asia; Australia Funds Vietnam Climate VC Growth; Standard Chartered Issues HKD Green Bond; India Plans $1B Renewable Trust; Malaysia Launches Social Impact Exchange; Temasek Reports High Portfolio Emissions; and DDSP Funds Johor Green Data Center

Aviation: China Advances Jet Engine Blade Tech; Air China Issues Short-Term Paper; CASC GA Telesis Expand Cooperation; India Cuts Aviation Fuel Export Duties; VINCI Acquires Fletcher Construction NZ; Japan Airlines Tightens Alcohol Rules; and AirAsia MOVE Explores Crypto Travel Payments

Advanced Air Mobility: Volant Aerotech Completes eVTOL Transition Flight; BluJ Aerospace Unveils Gen 2 eVTOL; Terra Drone Deploys Indoor Inspection System; and France Thales Builds National UTM Platform

Marine: India Plans Blue Bond Maritime Funding; Indonesia Centralizes Commodity Exports Control; NYK Launches Companywide AI Initiative; Pakistan Reopens Offshore Energy Exploration; AIIB Funds Philippine Port Expansion; PIL Executive Chairman Steps Aside; and Samsung Files FMC Complaint Over Shipping Charges

Space: China Shenzhou 21 Crew Returns After 210 Days; China Returns Tiangong Experiment Samples; India Balloon Aerospace Launches Near-Space Flight; JAXA Retires HTV-X1 Cargo Mission; Italy-Japan Launch Space Cooperation Forum; and Hanwha Aerospace Eyes Canada Launch Investment

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Financing & Investments

Capital is rapidly clustering around AI-agent commerce, data-center and energy infrastructure, and strategic cross-border deals, while sovereign wealth funds and regulators simultaneously scale participation in AI firms and tighten capital-market frameworks.

China

Alipay has introduced a full-stack AI payment solution to partners across industries, along with two new services: an AI Wallet and Token Pay, aimed at supporting the growth of the agentic economy. The launch builds on its existing consumer-facing AI Pay product and business-focused AI payment infrastructure, extending its system for AI-enabled transactions.

💡The AI Wallet allows users to monitor and control transactions executed by AI agents, while Token Pay is designed for AI companies to handle subscription payments, token top-ups and related services. Alipay also unveiled an Agentic Commerce Trust Protocol developed with partners to support secure AI-to-platform interactions.

China-Thailand

U Power Limited said its controlled joint venture, Hydro Data JV, has partnered with CEWA Group and Jiangsu Guofu Hydrogen Energy Equipment Co. to develop an integrated energy solution for a planned 100MW data center project in Rayong, Thailand. The project will begin with a 3MW pilot phase to assess the technology and commercial viability before potential expansion to full capacity.

💡Under the agreement, Hydro Data JV will provide AI-enabled energy management and system integration services, while Guofu Hydrogen Energy will supply power generation equipment and CEWA Group will oversee local infrastructure development. U Power said it expects to establish a Thailand subsidiary by the end of July, with Hydro Data JV operations scheduled to begin within 90 days thereafter


Hong Kong-Cayman Islands

Hong Kong-based Animoca Brands has invested $1 million in Superior.Trade, an AI-driven trading protocol, through its recently launched Minds Investment Programme. The investment, made alongside affiliated entities, marks the first backing under the programme, which was introduced in May with a commitment of up to $10 million to support projects building on Animoca Brands’ Minds AI agent platform.

💡Superior.Trade enables users to set trading parameters and use AI agents to assist with strategy development, historical backtesting and trade execution. The platform connects agent wallets to the Hyperliquid trading network while separating trade execution from asset custody.


Italy-Singapore

Italy’s Industrie De Nora has agreed to acquire Singapore-based BW Water for $61.5 million to $66.5 million, expanding its water treatment and engineering capabilities. The company said the deal strengthens its position by combining its technology base with BW Water’s system integration and turnkey project delivery capabilities, while deepening its presence in Southeast Asia.

💡BW Water operates across Asia, the US and Europe, serving sectors including semiconductors, mining and pharmaceuticals. De Nora expects about $7 million in annual cost synergies over three years. The transaction is expected to close on July 1, subject to regulatory approval.


Japan

Japan-based venture capital firm Genesia Ventures has completed the final close of its fourth fund at $113 million, targeting seed-stage startups in Japan, Southeast Asia and India. The fund is backed primarily by domestic and international institutional investors and financial institutions, with the firm planning a more concentrated investment approach than in previous funds.

💡Genesia Ventures said it will focus on startups driven by long-term structural shifts rather than specific sectors. The firm has invested in areas including healthcare, renewable energy, supply chains and financial services, with Southeast Asian portfolio companies including Vietnam-based Buymed, KAMEREO and Fundiin. Its notable exits include the 2024 IPO of Timee and the sale of HRBrain to EQT.


Malaysia

Malaysia’s Securities Commission (SC) has revised its Equity Guidelines to improve access to public listings and strengthen the distinction between its market segments. The regulator said the Main Market will remain the platform for larger, established companies, while the ACE Market will continue serving small and mid-sized firms. The changes follow a public consultation completed in December 2025 and will take effect for the Main Market on June 3.

💡The revised framework introduces higher profit requirements, stronger financial reporting standards, greater flexibility in operating cash flow assessments and broader eligibility for infrastructure-related listings on the Main Market. For the ACE Market, the SC will require a minimum two-year post-listing track record before transfers to the Main Market, remove certain sponsorship and moratorium exemptions, and introduce minimum public share allocation requirements.

Singapore-USA

Singapore sovereign wealth funds GIC and Temasek have participated in Anthropic’s $65 billion Series H funding round,which values the artificial intelligence company at $965 billion post-money. GIC said it joined as a co-lead investor alongside Capital Group, Coatue, D1 Capital Partners, ICONIQ and XN, while Temasek participated as a significant investor. The round was led by Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer, Greenoaks and Sequoia Capital.

💡Anthropic, developer of the Claude family of AI models, said the proceeds will be used to support AI safety and interpretability research, expand computing infrastructure and scale products and partnerships.

Taiwan-Malaysia

Taiwan-based TECO Electric & Machinery will acquire a 78% stake in Malaysian engineering firm Dynaciate for MYR200 million ($50.8 million), expanding its presence in Southeast Asia’s AI data center infrastructure market. TECO said the deal is expected to close by end-August, after which Dynaciate will operate as a manufacturing and engineering hub for modular data center projects in the region.

💡Dynaciate, based in Johor Bahru, specializes in modular prefabrication and electromechanical fabrication, with facilities in Pasir Gudang and a workforce of 265. TECO said the acquisition complements its earlier purchase of Malaysia’s NCL Energy and will help form a regional engineering platform targeting expansion into Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Taiwan-Vietnam

Taiwan-based Quanta Computer has registered to increase its investment in Vietnam’s Ninh Binh province to $240 million from $120 million. The company, which received investment approval for its project at My Thuan Industrial Zone in 2023, manufactures laptops, desktop computers and electronic components for export.

💡Quanta’s first factory began operations in 2024 and currently has annual production capacity of about 4.5 million computers and one million electronic component units. Under the expansion plan, the company will build a second factory, with operations expected to start in 2028, increasing total annual capacity to nine million computers and 1.5 million electronic component units.

Vietnam

Vietnam is planning to allow digital and virtual assets to be used as loan collateral for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under a draft amendment to its SME support law. The proposal, led by the Ministry of Finance, would expand eligible collateral for lending to include movable and intangible assets, intellectual property, and digital or virtual assets, among others.

💡The draft also updates the definition of SMEs and is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly in October 2026 for approval. SMEs currently account for over 98% of registered businesses in Vietnam but receive a relatively small share of total credit, according to the ministry.

Environmental Sustainability

Green and blended finance is expanding across Asia through bonds, VC acquisitions, and impact platforms, but systemic emissions reductions are lagging as major institutional portfolios and infrastructure-heavy economies continue to face decarbonization constraints.

Australia

Venture capital firm Pacific Channel has acquired ENGIE Factory Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd along with its stakes in seven early-stage climate-tech companies spanning areas such as solar energy, cooling systems, climate markets, sustainable housing, bioenergy and data center efficiency. The firm said its Singapore operations will be rebranded as Pacific Channel Climate Ventures and will serve as its regional base for Southeast Asia.

💡Pacific Channel said the acquisition expands its climate-tech investment platform across the Asia-Pacific, extending its early-stage investing model into Southeast Asia.


Australia-Vietnam

The Australian Government has committed up to $10 million to Do Ventures’ Fund II to support climate-focused businesses in Vietnam and strengthen the country’s climate investment market. The investment, made through Australian Development Investments (ADI), will back early- and growth-stage SMEs in areas linked to energy transition and climate adaptation, including manufacturing, sustainable consumption and AI-enabled solutions.

💡Do Ventures, a Vietnam-focused early-stage VC firm founded in 2020, will also work with ADI to strengthen ESG practices and impact measurement. The Australian Embassy in Vietnam said the commitment is its first under ADI’s Vietnam investment window and aims to mobilize private capital into climate solutions while supporting gender diversity in the investment sector.

Hong Kong

Standard Chartered has issued a HKD2 billion green bond, marking the first public HKD-denominated green bond from a Financial Institutions Group issuer. Demand exceeded HKD3.8 billion, reflecting strong investor appetite and expanding the bank’s Hong Kong dollar investor base.

💡Proceeds will be used to finance renewable energy, green buildings and circular economy projects, primarily across Asia.


India

India’s KPI Green Energy is planning to raise up to $1 billion through a renewable infrastructure investment trust backed by solar, wind and hybrid power assets.The proposed trust is expected to be launched toward the end of the 2027/2028 financial year and will be supported by an operational portfolio of about 1.5 GW to 2 GW.

💡The initiative comes as India continues to scale renewable capacity while still relying heavily on coal for baseload power.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Securities Commission (SC) has launched the Social Exchange, a regulated platform aimed at strengthening social impact financing under the country’s capital market development agenda. The initiative includes the introduction of Impakrintas, the first platform of its kind in Malaysia, which allows non-profit organizations (NPOs) to raise funds for approved social impact projects in a transparent setting.

💡Operational since February 19, Impakrintas has onboarded eight NPOs working across areas such as healthcare access, youth education, food security and environmental sustainability


Singapore

Temasek reported portfolio emissions of 21 million tonnes in FY2025, only slightly below its 2010 baseline of 22 million tonnes and well above its 2030 target of 11 million tonnes. More than 80% of these emissions come from five holdings, including Singapore Airlines and Sembcorp Industries, which together account for the largest share of the portfolio’s footprint.

💡The firm said it remains committed to its 2050 net-zero ambition but acknowledged that its 2030 target is increasingly difficult to achieve given sectoral constraints in aviation and power generation. While sustainability-aligned investments rose to $46 billion in FY2025, Temasek said emissions reductions are being slowed by continued reliance on carbon-intensive infrastructure and rising global energy demand.

Singapore-Malaysia

Digital Decarbonization Solutions Platform (DDSP) has secured $283 million in green financing to support the development of a 45MW hyperscale data center campus in Sedenak Tech Park, Johor, Malaysia. The Singapore-based company said the facility will be built for a global hyperscale customer and will incorporate closed-loop liquid cooling technology designed to support high-density computing and artificial intelligence workloads.

💡The financing was arranged by CTBC Bank, MUFG and Standard Chartered as mandated lead arrangers, underwriters and bookrunners, with Entie Commercial Bank serving as a mandated lead arranger. The Johor project is part of DDSP’s 1.1GW Asia-Pacific development pipeline spanning Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Taiwan. DDSP said the transaction was structured as a green loan.

Aviation

The sector is simultaneously upgrading industrial capabilities and aftermarket partnerships in China, adjusting fiscal and operational frameworks in India and Japan, and consolidating assets in Europe, reflecting a broader push to stabilize and modernize post-pandemic aviation value chains.

China

China has reported progress in developing single-crystal turbine blade production technology for aircraft engines, according to state media. The capability is positioned as a key advancement in high-temperature engine components used in the “hot section” of jet engines, where durability and heat resistance are critical to performance and efficiency.

The development reportedly involves a nickel-based superalloy known as DD6 from the AECC Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials. Officials claim the material approaches or matches leading international standards, though the performance has not been independently verified.

💡The announcement places China among a small group of countries with similar manufacturing capabilities, while broader industry challenges remain around consistency, certification standards, and industrial-scale production reliability.

China

Air China has listed a CNY2 billion ($294.3 million) ultra-short-term commercial paper on China’s interbank bond market. Trading begun on May 19. The 30-day unsecured note carries a coupon rate of 1.38% and matures on June 17, 2026.

💡The issuance, designated “26 Air China SCP003,” was issued on May 15 and forms part of the airline’s short-term funding activities in the domestic debt market.

China-USA

GA Telesis has signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with China Aviation Supplies Co. (CASC) at the MRO Greater China exhibition held on May 26. The partnership is aimed at expanding collaboration in aviation materials supply, component leasing and distribution, MRO services, and overseas asset management.

💡CASC, China’s central procurement agency for commercial aircraft and aerospace equipment, and GA Telesis said the cooperation will leverage their respective platforms to strengthen aviation lifecycle and aftermarket services.

India

India will reduce export duties on petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel starting June 1. Petrol exports will be taxed at 1.5 rupees per litre, diesel at 13.5 rupees, and aviation fuel at 9.5 rupees.

💡The rates are adjusted every two weeks based on global oil price trends. The government said domestic excise duties on petrol and diesel remain unchanged.

France-New Zealand

VINCI Construction has completed its acquisition of New Zealand-based Fletcher Construction, following the deal announced in January 2026. Fletcher Construction, a subsidiary of Fletcher Building, has more than 2,300 employees and generates about €630 million (NZ$1.3 billion) in annual revenue, with operations spanning transport, ports, airports, and energy-related infrastructure.

💡The acquisition expands VINCI Construction’s presence in New Zealand alongside its existing local businesses, including HEB Construction, SOL, and Wharehine.


Japan

Japan Airlines has banned cabin crew from drinking alcohol during layovers before return flights after a new alcohol-related incident involving a flight attendant.

💡The airline said a Hiroshima–Tokyo flight was delayed by about 40 minutes after a crew member violated internal rules prohibiting alcohol consumption within 12 hours of duty. The attendant had tested positive for alcohol before departure but did not report it.

Malaysia-Kazakhstan

AirAsia MOVE, Intebix and the Solana Foundation have signed a letter of intent to explore integrating the Evo (KTZE) tenge-denominated stablecoin into the AirAsia MOVE platform in Kazakhstan. The collaboration aims to assess a blockchain-based payment option for travel bookings, combining AirAsia MOVE’s distribution network, Intebix’s licensed digital asset infrastructure and Solana’s blockchain technology.

💡The parties will evaluate technical design, settlement processes and regulatory requirements for a potential pilot within Kazakhstan’s regulatory sandbox. The initiative is intended to test real-world use cases for stablecoin payments in travel, with the goal of enabling digital asset-based transactions for flights and hotels if compliance and feasibility conditions are met.

Advanced Air Mobility

eVTOL development and drone ecosystems are transitioning from testing to early operational frameworks, with China and India advancing flight validation while Singapore and Japan build enabling air traffic and inspection infrastructure alongside growing institutional adoption.

China

Volant Aerotech said its VE25-100 passenger eVTOL has completed a piloted transition flight test in Zigong, Sichuan Province. The company stated the flight involved switching between vertical takeoff and forward flight modes and described it as a milestone in the aircraft’s development program. It also said the test provided validation of elements of the flight control system, propulsion system, and aerodynamic configuration during the conversion phase.

💡The announcement follows recent fundraising activity, including a Series C+ round raising nearly 1 billion yuan after a prior financing round in April.

India

BluJ Aerospace has unveiled its Gen #2 eVTOL prototype built on its VANTIS platform for vertically integrated aerial systems. The company said the fully battery-powered aircraft is currently in flight testing following earlier demonstrator work, including a public flight of its Gen #1 prototype.

💡The Gen #2 design uses a lift-plus-cruise configuration and is intended to carry a payload of over 200 kg with a maximum takeoff weight of 500 kg. BluJ Aerospace said the platform is designed to scale to larger aircraft classes, including heavy-lift and long-range variants, as it advances development of its advanced air mobility systems.

Japan

Terra Drone Corporation has delivered its indoor inspection drone, “Terra Xross 1,” to Tokyo Power Technology Co., Ltd., a TEPCO Group company. The drone will be used for inspections and patrols at power plant-related indoor and confined facilities.

💡The company said the system is designed for GPS-denied environments and uses LiDAR and visual sensors to support stable indoor flight. It added the platform is intended to improve safety by reducing worker exposure to hazardous areas and increase efficiency in inspection operations. Terra Drone said it plans to expand use of the system across infrastructure maintenance applications.

Singapore-France

Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS) has selected France-based Thales to build a national system for managing unmanned aircraft traffic, aimed at supporting the safe growth of drone operations across the country. The project will be delivered by a consortium led by Thales, alongside Singapore-based Deeeplabs, which will assist with deployment and operational support.

💡The system will provide a centralized digital platform for drone registration, flight authorization, mission planning and real-time tracking. Built on Thales’ UTM technology, it is intended to simplify approvals while improving oversight of expanding drone activity across sectors such as logistics, infrastructure inspection, maritime operations and emergency response.

Marine

Global shipping and maritime systems are increasingly shaped by tighter state resource controls, expanding blue/green financing instruments, and rising digital and legal frictions, signaling a shift toward more regulated and financially diversified maritime trade infrastructure.

India

India’s Sagarmala Finance Corporation plans to raise up to 10 billion rupees ($105 million), including a greenshoe option, through what would be the country’s first blue bond. The issuance is intended to diversify the lender’s funding base and support maritime and coastal infrastructure development.

💡Proceeds will finance projects including ports, shipbuilding, inland waterways and coastal connectivity networks. The planned deal would expand India’s sustainable finance market beyond green bonds, creating a dedicated funding channel for ocean- and water-related infrastructure.

Indonesia

Indonesia has announced a policy requiring all exports of key commodities—including coal, palm oil and ferroalloys—to be routed through a state-appointed export entity. President Prabowo Subianto said the measure is intended to reduce revenue losses linked to under-invoicing and transfer pricing, and to strengthen oversight of natural resource sales.

💡The government said the designated exporter will be overseen by the sovereign wealth fund Danantara, with a transition period allowing existing arrangements to continue temporarily under monitoring. Indonesia, a major global supplier of thermal coal and palm oil, will also require exporters to place all foreign exchange earnings in domestic state-owned banks starting June 1, as part of broader resource revenue controls.


Japan

Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) has launched a companywide artificial intelligence initiative called “SAIL with AI Compass” aimed at expanding AI use across operations and developing AI-skilled employees. The programme is part of the company’s medium-term management plan and is designed to support business transformation without significantly increasing headcount.

💡NYK said the initiative includes internal training through “NYK AI College,” knowledge-sharing systems, operational use-case development, and incentives for AI adoption. The company added it plans to integrate AI into daily workflows to improve efficiency and strengthen its core shipping and logistics businesses while exploring new growth areas.

Pakistan

Pakistan has reopened offshore oil and gas exploration after an 18-year hiatus, awarding production sharing agreements for 23 deepwater blocks under its Offshore Bid Round 2025. The licences span 54,600 square kilometres across the Indus and Makran basins and include commitments for seismic and geological work.

💡The government said the initial phase secures about $82 million in investment, with potential for up to $1 billion if exploration advances to drilling. State-owned and private operators, including Mari Energies Limited and Pakistan Petroleum Limited, are among the main participants, with early offshore drilling plans already being developed for 2026.


Philippines

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) has approved a $300 million loan to support expansion and modernization projects at terminals operated by International Container Terminal Services Inc. in the Philippines. The financing will fund upgrades at the Manila International Container Terminal, the South Luzon Container Terminal in Batangas, and the Mindanao Container Terminal.

💡The project is expected to raise handling capacity across the three sites while improving efficiency and reducing emissions through the introduction of electric quay cranes and lower-carbon yard equipment.


Singapore

Pacific International Lines (PIL) executive chairman SS Teo is taking a leave of absence from his role, along with several other positions in Singapore institutions, as he prepares to respond to a US Justice Department case involving alleged container price-fixing. The company is the world’s 12th-largest container shipping line.

💡The move follows US indictments accusing multiple container manufacturers and executives of coordinating to restrict supply and inflate prices between 2019 and 2024. Teo, who is also named in the case alongside executives from other firms, said he is stepping back to focus on the legal proceedings. The company involved, Singamas Container Holdings, has denied the allegations and said it will contest the case.

USA-Taiwan

Samsung Electronics America has filed a complaint with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) against Taiwanese carrier Wan Hai Lines, alleging improper detention and demurrage charges tied to “store door” shipments handled between 2020 and 2022. The FMC has accepted the filing, which centers on more than $1.2 million in disputed fees.

💡Samsung argued the charges were levied despite inland transport falling under the carrier’s control, and claims Wan Hai violated provisions of the U.S. Shipping Act by continuing to invoice penalties during pandemic-related congestion. The case adds to a broader wave of FMC disputes over container line billing practices during the COVID-19 supply chain disruption, with a ruling expected to proceed through 2027.

Space

Space activity is advancing into sustained operationalization and geopolitical-commercial blending, as China extends long-duration human missions and scientific returns while Japan, Europe, and partners deepen collaboration and infrastructure development across civil and dual-use space systems.

China

Shenzhou 21 mission has concluded with the safe return of its three astronauts to Earth on May 29, landing at the Dongfeng site in Inner Mongolia after 210 days in orbit aboard China’s Tiangong space station. The mission set a new national record for the longest Chinese crewed spaceflight and involved a return aboard a different spacecraft than the one used for launch due to an earlier orbital issue affecting the original return vehicle.

💡Chinese space officials said the crew conducted multiple spacewalks and completed experiments in microgravity physics, materials science, life sciences, and space medicine during their extended stay. The return sequence followed a schedule reshuffle after a suspected debris impact damaged a capsule window earlier in the program, leading to a reassignment of return vehicles and an uncrewed replacement launch. The crew was relieved in orbit by the incoming Shenzhou 23 mission.

China

Scientific experiment samples from China’s Tiangong space station have been returned to Earth aboard the Shenzhou 22 mission spacecraft and transferred to research institutions for analysis. The payload, weighing about 41 kilograms, includes samples from 23 experiments spanning life sciences, materials science, and combustion studies.

💡Researchers at the Space Utilization Engineering and Technology Center under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have begun examining biological samples such as artificial embryos and brain organoids to study development under microgravity. Other materials, including titanium alloys, advanced steels, and single-crystal compounds, will be analyzed for structural and compositional changes, while combustion samples will be used to study flame behavior and nanoparticle formation in space conditions.

India

Red Balloon Aerospace has successfully launched its VISTA super-pressure balloon from Indira Gandhi Stadium in Vijayawada as part of “Mission SANA,” reaching an altitude of about 25 km. The flight carried commercial payloads from seven domestic and international partners and was described by the company as a validation of its indigenous stratospheric platform capabilities.

💡The company said the VISTA system is designed for long-duration near-space operations and can support applications such as imaging, communications, and environmental monitoring. It added that the platform is intended to enable rapid deployment of payloads at lower cost than orbital systems, with further missions planned to expand capabilities and support additional commercial use cases.

Japan

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said it has completed operations of its HTV-X1 resupply spacecraft after the vehicle re-entered Earth’s atmosphere over the South Pacific on Tuesday night Japan time. The spacecraft was launched aboard an H3 rocket in October last year and delivered supplies to the International Space Station before continuing extended in-orbit operations.

💡JAXA said HTV-X1 conducted post-ISS missions, including deployment of a microsatellite, tests of lightweight antenna panels, and trials of next-generation solar cell technologies. The agency said all planned objectives were achieved, with the HTV-X designed as an upgraded cargo vehicle capable of carrying out additional experiments in orbit after completing station resupply duties.


Japan-Italy

The Embassy of Italy in Tokyo has supported the launch of the first Italy–Japan Space Consultations, a new bilateral forum aimed at expanding cooperation in commercial, industrial, scientific, and security-related space activities. The initiative is coordinated by Italy’s Presidency of the Council of Ministers and involves government and industry stakeholders from both countries.

💡The Italian delegation, including representatives from the foreign affairs and industry ministries and the Italian Space Agency, is meeting counterparts from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agencyalongside industry events at SPEXA – Space Business Expo. The consultations are intended to deepen ties between Italian space firms and Japan’s growing space sector, which is being driven by programs such as the H3 launch vehicle and Artemis-related activities

South Korea-Canada

Hanwha Aerospace said it plans to invest in developing launch capability in Canada as part of a broader proposal linked to Ottawa’s effort to establish domestic spaceport infrastructure. The comments follow Canada’s lease of a site in Nova Scotia aimed at supporting future commercial launches, as the country seeks to reduce reliance on foreign launch providers.

💡The company said the proposed launch investment would support “Indigenous launch” capability in Canada and could involve orbital trajectories passing over South Korea, depending on launch configuration. The remarks were made alongside Hanwha’s broader participation in Canada’s defence procurement discussions, including a competing bid for submarines, with the government expected to make a decision by the end of June.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Share Aviation Finance, Alternative Asset Finance in APAC & Beyond

Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: August Robotics Raises $30M Series B; Pluang Secures $10M Funding and Adds Indonesian Equities; TDK to Acquire Linergy in $240M Deal; GXBank Raises MSME Lending Limits; SkyeChip Surges on Malaysia IPO Debut; Malaysia Tightens Digital Asset Rules; Doozy Robotics Expands Globally; AVC Technology Builds $600M Vietnam Plant; and Amazon Commits $33B Southeast Asia Expansion

Environmental Sustainability: Australia Improves Climate Reporting; HSBC Launches $4B Green Credit Line; TNB Expands Grid and Renewables; GenZero Buys Climate Infrastructure Stake; ADB and Singapore Advance Power Grid; Singapore Launches Carbon Coalition; World Bank Expands Carbon Markets Program; Singapore Issues Sustainability Framework; and Stride Raises $15M for Solar Financing

Aviation: Rex Executive Admits Misleading Investors; ASL Airlines Acquires Airwork Freight Business; China Orders 200 Boeing Aircraft in Trade Deal; QNB Funds Asia Digital Engineering Expansion; Smiths Detection Expands Japan Airport Security Contracts; and GE Aerospace Invests INR 100 Crore in Pune Facility

Advanced Air Mobility: TransFuture Aviation Raises 100M Yuan for eVTOL Certification; AutoFlight Demonstrates 2-Ton eVTOL in Kazakhstan; Dassault Systèmes Expands Industrial AI Push in China; and Thailand Expands Drone Economy and Air Mobility Plans

Marine: IMO Approves Global Autonomous Ship Safety Code; India Enables Digital Remote Cargo Clearance; NYK Advances Autonomous Shipping Program; Singapore Launches Marine Digital Transformation Plan; ITOCHU Wins Approval for Ammonia Bunkering Trials; South Korea Engages Iran Over Strait Shipping Risks; and South Korea Tests Northern Sea Route Shipping Trial

Space: Reaction Dynamics and Hanwha Partner on Space Launch; China Launches Shenzhou-23 Mission; India Builds Shared Space Tech Facilities; South Korea to Launch Earth Observation Satellite; Altana Flags Space Supply Chain Exposure; and Amazon Studies Kuiper Expansion in Vietnam

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Financing & Investments

Capital is flowing heavily into Southeast Asia’s AI, robotics, and digital infrastructure sectors, alongside advancing fintech expansion and tighter regulatory frameworks as governments and companies scale up long-term bets on automation, data centers, and advanced manufacturing.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong based August Robotics has raised $30 million in a Series B round led by Big Pi Ventures, with participation from Blackbird, Skip Capital, Tanarra, Future Family Office and GS Futures. The company said the funding will be used to scale production of its autonomous construction robotics systems, expand AI development and support global expansion.

💡August Robotics develops autonomous drilling robots designed for large construction projects, particularly data center builds, and said its systems are already deployed in the United States and Europe. The company plans to expand operations into Europe and Australia while developing additional robotics products aimed at automating construction and industrial workflows.


Indonesia

Pluang has raised $10 million in new funding, with participation from MUFG Innovation Partners alongside existing investors Accel and Square Peg. The company also launched access to Indonesian equities on its app, expanding its product suite which already includes US stocks, ETFs, crypto, derivatives, gold and mutual funds.

💡Pluang said the expansion comes amid strong growth in Indonesia’s retail investing market, with rapid increases in both equity and crypto participation in recent years.


Japan-Malaysia

Japan’s TDK Corporation has agreed to acquire 100 percent of Malaysia-based lithium-ion battery maker Linergy Power Sdn Bhdin a deal valued at $240 million. The acquisition will be carried out through TDK’s Singapore subsidiary, Amperex Technology (Singapore), and Linergy will become a wholly owned subsidiary once the transaction is completed.

💡TDK said the deal supports its long-term strategy to strengthen its energy solutions business and expand its global battery supply capabilities.


Malaysia

GXBank has expanded its MSME-focused banking offering, increasing business financing limits to RM150,000 and easing onboarding requirements for small business customers. The updated process allows applicants, including sole proprietors, to use personal bank statements for account setup and credit evaluation, aiming to improve access to formal financing.

💡The expansion is supported by GXBank’s collaboration with CGC Digital, which provides a digital guarantee structure intended to broaden lending capacity for smaller businesses. GXBank said the changes are designed to address financing gaps in the MSME segment and support the development of verifiable credit histories for entrepreneurs who operate outside traditional business banking channels.


Malaysia

SkyeChip surged on its market debut after raising MYR 352 million ($88.62 million) in an initial public offering. The Penang-based integrated circuit design firm opened at MYR 3.50 per share, about three times its IPO price, reflecting strong investor demand. The company develops silicon intellectual property (IP) and custom application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) used in AI, data centers and automotive systems.

💡The company said IPO proceeds will fund research and development, expansion of facilities and investment in design tools as it scales its semiconductor portfolio.


Malaysia

Securities Commission Malaysia has updated its Guidelines on Recognized Markets to strengthen regulation of digital asset exchanges (DAX) and improve investor protection. The revised framework aims to streamline product approvals, raise operational and governance standards for DAX operators, and enhance safeguards for client assets. It also increases requirements related to financial stability, ownership structure and management competence.

💡The changes also expand regulatory enforcement against unregistered platforms and introduce membership in the Financial Markets Ombudsman Service for DAX operators starting in 2026, giving investors access to formal dispute resolution. The regulator said the updates align with broader capital market development plans and reflect growing digital asset activity in Malaysia, where regulated trading volumes rose to MYR 17.14 billion in 2025.


Singapore

Doozy Robotics, a Singapore-based physical AI and humanoid robotics startup, has announced global expansion plans across the United States, GCC markets and Asia ahead of a planned Series A round. The company is building an integrated automation system combining humanoids, autonomous mobile robots and autonomous forklifts, coordinated by its Eywa-OS software platform.

💡Doozy said the system acts as an autonomous factory management layer that allocates robots in real time and adjusts to operational changes. It is targeting customers through a Robot-as-a-Service model, with its Industrial Super Humanoid scheduled for deployment in 2026. The company reported early traction including a $200 million pipeline, pilot programs and industrial customer engagements.


Vietnam

AVC Technology Vietnam, a subsidiary of Taiwan-based Asia Vital Components, has started construction of a $600 million high-tech electronics components plant in Ninh Binh Province. The project will cover about 46 hectares at Kim Bang 1 Industrial Park and is designed to produce more than 84 million cooling and metal component products annually, including server casings, liquid cooling equipment and water cooling plates.

💡The project is among the latest large-scale industrial investments in Ninh Binh as the province seeks to expand high-tech manufacturing and supporting industries.

USA-Southeast Asia

Amazon said it plans to invest more than $33 billion in cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand by 2039. The company said its investments in the region over the past three years include major cloud infrastructure expansion, with a focus on supporting enterprise adoption of AI and digital services.

💡Amazon estimated the investment could contribute more than $64 billion to the combined GDP of the four countries and support over 56,300 jobs annually in the regional data center supply chain. The company also said it has trained 2.7 million people in Southeast Asia on cloud skills since 2017 and is expanding workforce programs and renewable energy initiatives as part of its long-term regional strategy.

Environmental Sustainability

Asia’s sustainability push is advancing through coordinated policy, financing, and infrastructure efforts, with major momentum in carbon markets, cross-border clean energy integration, and standardized ESG reporting, alongside growing private capital flows into renewables and transition technologies.

Australia

Australian Securities and Investments Commission said early reviews of Australia’s first mandatory sustainability reports show improved consistency and quality in climate-related financial disclosures under the new reporting regime. It noted that companies are producing more structured information, but warned against disclaimers that conflict with statutory reporting requirements and highlighted issues around clarity of assumptions, cross-referencing, and presentation of climate risks and targets.

💡The regulator said disclosures must reflect both current conditions and forward-looking assessments, and that additional information should not obscure key climate-related financial data. The review comes as Australia considers reforms that could raise size thresholds for mandatory reporting, potentially reducing compliance obligations for smaller companies under its sustainability and financial reporting framework.

Hong Kong-Mainland China

HSBC has launched a Sustainability and Transition Credit Facility of up to $4 billion in mainland China to support companies in clean energy and low-carbon sectors expanding internationally, including into ASEAN markets. The facility targets sectors such as clean power, transport electrification, data centers and artificial intelligence, and is intended to accelerate cross-border deployment of low-carbon technologies.

💡HSBC said Singapore is expected to play a key role in channeling the financing into Southeast Asia, given its position as a regional investment hub.


Malaysia

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) said it will continue strengthening grid resilience while expanding renewable energy capacity, regional energy connectivity and support for AI- and digital-driven industries. The company is focusing on grid digitalization, renewable integration and carbon management to support Malaysia’s energy transition under the National Energy Transition Roadmap.

💡TNB highlighted initiatives including utility-scale solar projects, hybrid renewable systems and green hydrogen development, alongside progress on a 785 MW peak corporate renewable energy supply agreement for data center operations. It invested MYR 15.7 billion in capital expenditure in 2025, with most allocated to grid modernization to support rising electricity demand from electrification, digitalization and data infrastructure.

Singapore

GenZero, a Temasek-backed investment platform focused on decarbonization, has acquired a secondary stake in Seraya Partners Fund I from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The deal provides exposure to a portfolio of Asian energy transition and sustainable infrastructure assets managed by Seraya Partners.

💡Seraya Partners Fund I invests in infrastructure supporting the region’s energy transition, including marine energy services and low-carbon data centers. GenZero said the transaction aligns with its strategy to scale climate-focused infrastructure investment in Asia-Pacific and demonstrates how development finance and private capital can be recycled to support further climate-related projects.

Singapore

Asian Development Bank and Energy Market Authority of Singapore have renewed their memorandum of understanding for another three years to support cross-border energy projects in ASEAN, including electricity exports to Singapore. The agreement focuses on reducing barriers to renewable energy generation and grid interconnection projects, with emphasis on project financing, risk allocation, technical challenges in subsea cables, and overall project bankability.

💡The partnership supports the ASEAN Power Grid initiative, which aims to connect national electricity networks across Southeast Asia. The Asian Development Bank has committed up to $10 billion over the next decade toward the initiative, while also expanding broader regional infrastructure support.


Singapore

Enterprise Singapore has launched the Action for a Resilient Climate (ARC) Coalition, an industry-led initiative to aggregate corporate demand for high-integrity carbon credits and channel financing toward carbon reduction projects. The coalition is supported by companies and organizations including Bain & Company, Tencent, Mitsubishi Corporation, GenZero, Climate Impact X, WWF Singapore and others. It aims to improve market confidence, increase access to carbon credits and support broader corporate participation in voluntary carbon markets.

💡The initiative will pool demand from corporate buyers, target procurement of at least 10 million tons of carbon credits by 2030, and help finance early-stage climate projects. It will also develop standards for credit quality, improve due diligence and streamline procurement processes for companies.


Singapore

World Bank Group and the Singapore government have launched the Singapore Carbon Markets Program to support the growth of high-integrity carbon markets. Announced at the Innovate4Climate conference in Singapore, the initiative aims to help countries strengthen technical capabilities, institutions and digital infrastructure needed to participate in carbon markets. The program will focus on carbon market infrastructure, carbon credit monetization and market readiness support for host countries.

💡The initiative will develop tools for interoperable carbon registries and digital monitoring systems for carbon projects, including regenerative agriculture. It will also explore ways to aggregate carbon credit demand and supply to lower transaction costs and support projects in underserved markets.

Singapore

Enterprise Singapore, through the Singapore Standards Council, has launched Technical Reference 149:2026, a sustainability framework developed with A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology and Singapore Manufacturing Federation. The framework helps companies assess environmental sustainability maturity across four levels, from Essential to Gold, covering areas including workforce readiness, operations, supply chains and product life cycles. It also includes metrics on emissions, energy, water and material use.

The framework is aimed particularly at small and medium-sized enterprises facing rising sustainability requirements from customers, investors and supply chains. Built on A*STAR SIMTech’s Green Compass framework, TR 149 provides businesses with a structured way to identify gaps and track progress.

💡It will also support the Green 100 movement, an industry initiative led by the Council for a Competitive Climate Transition, through a digital platform to help companies adopt and improve sustainability practices.

Vietnam

Vietnam-based solar energy startup Stride has raised $15 million in a Series B round co-led by Lightrock and TRIREC via the Accelerate7 platform, with participation from Clime Capital and UOB Venture Management. Early investor Touchstone Partners announced a partial exit following the close of the round.

💡Stride provides financing solutions for rooftop solar and battery systems for households and MSMEs, including payment plans and insurance products. The company plans to use the funds to expand in Vietnam and other markets, improve its digital and quality assurance systems, and scale access to clean energy, targeting 200,000 additional users by 2030.

Aviation

Aviation activity is being shaped by a mix of regulatory scrutiny, strategic fleet and M&A expansion, and renewed large-scale aircraft demand driven by geopolitics, while airlines and suppliers continue to scale maintenance, manufacturing, and airport infrastructure capacity across Asia and beyond.

Australia

Australian Securities and Investments Commission said former Regional Express Holdings executive chair Lim Kim Hai has admitted in court to misleading investors over a February 2023 market update on the airline’s financial outlook. The regulator said Lim agreed to accept penalties, including potential fines and disqualification orders, subject to court approval.

💡The case relates to statements that suggested optimism about profitability despite the airline’s operating losses and lack of a formal forecast at the time.

Australia

ASL Airlines Australia has signed a sale and purchase agreement to acquire the New Zealand and Australia freight business of troubled aviation group Airwork. The deal remains subject to final due diligence and customary conditions, with terms not disclosed.

💡The Airwork business entered receivership after financial pressures linked to the loss of aircraft tied to Russia following sanctions, alongside debt and challenging trading conditions. Airwork has since been restructuring assets and addressing insurance claims related to aircraft that remain under Russian control. ASL Airlines Australia, formerly Pionair Australia, has been expanding its freighter operations and fleet through acquisitions and aircraft conversions.

China-USA

China has confirmed plans to purchase 200 aircraft from Boeing following recent high-level trade discussions between US and Chinese leadership. The agreement also includes US commitments to maintain supply access for aircraft engine parts and related components to support ongoing aircraft deliveries.

💡The deal is part of broader trade negotiations that include efforts to extend a tariff truce and consider reciprocal tariff reductions on significant volumes of goods. The announcement follows renewed engagement between the two countries on aviation, agriculture and industrial supply chains, with Boeing describing the agreement as an initial step toward further aircraft commitments.

Malaysia

Asia Digital Engineering, the maintenance, repair and overhaul subsidiary of Capital A, has secured a $100 million financing facility from QNB Group to support its expansion. The company said the funding reflects confidence in its growth strategy and will be used to increase capacity and scale its aircraft maintenance operations across the region.

💡ADE said the capital will help expand services for airline customers, including AirAsia, as demand for maintenance services rises. The company currently operates a line maintenance network across multiple ASEAN airports and provides base maintenance and specialized engineering services. It also highlighted its digital platforms for parts procurement and aircraft health management as part of its broader expansion strategy.

UK-Japan

Smiths Detection has secured multiple contracts in Japan to expand its airport security footprint, including deployments and upgrades at Hiroshima International Airport and Miyazaki International Airport, alongside partnerships with Japan Airlines covering Haneda, Ishigaki, and Okadama airports. The installations include HI-SCAN 6040 CTIX Model S scanners and iLane A20 automated tray return systems, aimed at modernizing passenger screening across several domestic hubs.

💡The systems use high-resolution 3D imaging and automated tray handling to streamline checkpoint processes, including allowing passengers to keep electronics and liquids in carry-on bags. Deployment timelines vary by airport, with some systems already operational and others scheduled through 2027.

USA-India

GE Aerospace will invest INR 100 crore in its Pune manufacturing facility in India to expand production capacity and upgrade advanced manufacturing capabilities. The investment will fund welding technologies, inspection systems, precision tools, and infrastructure improvements aimed at improving output quality and process precision for commercial aircraft engine components.

💡The latest funding brings GE Aerospace’s total investment in the Pune site to more than INR 510 crore over three years. The facility supports production for several engine programs, including GE90, GEnx, GE9X, and CFM International’s LEAP engines, and is part of the company’s wider global supply chain.

Advanced Air Mobility

Advanced air mobility is shifting from experimentation to early commercialization, with China leading eVTOL certification and deployment, while Thailand and regional players build regulatory and industrial ecosystems to support drones and low-altitude transport at scale.

China

TransFuture Aviation has raised more than 100 million yuan in a Pre-A+ funding round led by Ant Group, with participation from Bi’an Times and Fosun Chuangfu. The funding will primarily support airworthiness certification work for its Honghu series fully tilting electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, as well as further development of cargo and passenger applications.

💡The company’s Honghu program has already moved into certification and early commercialization stages, including CAAC acceptance of its airworthiness application and completion of prototype testing. TransFuture Aviation is pursuing a cargo-first rollout strategy while scaling passenger development.


China-Kazakhstan

AutoFlight completed a demonstration flight of its 2-tonne-class eVTOL aircraft in Almaty, Kazakhstan, marking one of the first deployments of large eVTOL technology in Central Asia. The flight was conducted in partnership with Alatau Advance Air Group (AAAG) and highlighted early-stage testing and integration of advanced air mobility systems in the region’s low-altitude transport sector.

💡Alongside the demonstration, AutoFlight and AAAG signed an agreement for AAAG to purchase up to 50 additional V2000 and V5000 series eVTOL aircraft. The aircraft are intended for future low-altitude transport networks across Kazakhstan and other parts of Central Asia, with AutoFlight also responsible for delivery support, pilot and operational training, maintenance, and after-sales services.

France-China

Dassault Systèmes said it is expanding its industrial artificial intelligence strategy in China, positioning the country as both a major market and a key source of manufacturing-driven innovation. CEO Pascal Daloz said China’s manufacturing ecosystem is increasingly central to global industrial transformation, particularly as AI moves from experimentation into large-scale industrial use cases.

💡The company is developing “industrial AI” systems designed for engineering and production environments, combining simulation, physics-based modeling and AI through partnerships such as its collaboration with Nvidia. Dassault Systèmes has also launched a China-focused digital industrial investment fund and is engaging with local AI developers, including those working on robotics, humanoids and eVTOL systems, as part of its broader effort to support industrial upgrading and global expansion.

Thailand

Thailand is positioning drone technology as a core pillar of its digital economy strategy, smart agriculture development, and national security applications, according to remarks made at the DronTech Asia 2026 press conference in Bangkok. Government agencies, academic institutions, and industry groups highlighted plans to expand regulatory frameworks, increase drone operator training, and integrate unmanned systems into sectors such as farming, logistics, infrastructure monitoring, and emergency response.

💡Officials said Thailand is advancing its national drone roadmap, including updated rules for heavier commercial drones and a broader airspace management plan to support future urban air mobility. The country has more than 60,000 registered drone operators, with further expansion expected as AI-enabled platforms and agricultural drone programs scale.

Marine

Maritime transport is rapidly digitalizing and decarbonizing, with global standards for autonomous shipping emerging alongside strong pushes in AI-enabled operations, alternative fuels, and port efficiency, while geopolitical risks continue to influence routing and trade security decisions.

Global

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a new International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code), creating global rules for autonomous and remotely operated cargo vessels. Agreed at the Maritime Safety Committee meeting in London, the framework sets safety, cybersecurity, and operational standards while keeping ships compliant with existing conventions like SOLAS. The code will apply from July 2026 on a voluntary basis before becoming mandatory later.

💡The MASS Code covers areas such as navigation systems, remote control centres, emergency response, and system security, while still assigning overall responsibility to a designated master even if not onboard. IMO officials said the rules are designed to safely integrate AI-driven shipping technologies. The committee also approved related updates on alternative fuel training and improved ship tracking systems for coastal states.


India

India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has introduced remote cargo clearance, removing the need for customs officers to physically board vessels. The system shifts port operations to a fully digital, faceless model where key cargo and vessel declarations are submitted online, allowing clearances to be processed remotely.

💡The reform uses risk-based screening to determine when physical inspections are necessary, while routine checks are handled digitally. The change is intended to speed up vessel turnaround times, reduce delays and costs, and improve the efficiency and global competitiveness of India’s port and trade logistics system.


Japan

NYK Group, working with the Nippon Foundation’s MEGURI2040 program, is advancing Japan’s push toward partially autonomous coastal shipping. Now in its second phase, the initiative brings together more than 100 organizations to develop Level 4–equivalent autonomous navigation systems, remote Fleet Operation Centers, and digital ship-to-shore communications.

Trials include multiple vessel types such as ferries, cargo ships, and containerships, with automated navigation, collision avoidance, and remote support functions being tested in real operating conditions. The program is also contributing to international rulemaking discussions at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as autonomous shipping standards evolve.

💡The project has already reached early commercialization milestones, including Japan’s first certified autonomous passenger ferry operating on a scheduled coastal route. NYK is now extending the technology into commercial fleets, including a new car carrier set for delivery in 2026 that will test AI-assisted navigation, motion optimization, and full-vessel digital connectivity during live voyages.

Japan-Singapore

ITOCHU Corporation’s subsidiary ZETA Bunkering Pte. Ltd. has received approval from Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority to conduct ammonia bunkering trials in the Port of Singapore. The authorization follows safety and risk assessments and will allow ship-to-ship ammonia fuel transfer tests over a two-year period starting May 2026. The trials will evaluate operational procedures, infrastructure readiness, and safety standards for ammonia as a marine fuel.

💡The project is part of ITOCHU’s wider effort to develop an ammonia shipping fuel supply chain, including a dedicated bunker vessel due in 2027. Further demonstrations with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines are planned to support ammonia-fuelled shipping operations in Singapore. The aim is to establish commercial-scale ammonia bunkering and advance decarbonization in global maritime transport.


Singapore

Enterprise Singapore and Infocomm Media Development Authority have launched a refreshed Marine & Offshore Energy Industry Digital Plan to support more than 1,000 companies in the sector with digital transformation and AI adoption. The plan builds on an earlier 2021 version and is intended to help firms address challenges such as labor constraints, cost pressures and global competition through sector-specific digital tools.

💡The updated framework organizes solutions across customer service, design and engineering, procurement, production and manufacturing, and corporate functions. It includes AI-enabled tools such as chatbots, predictive maintenance, additive manufacturing, robotics, video analytics for workplace safety and business analytics systems. It also introduces a cybersecurity and data protection roadmap to help companies improve cyber hygiene, manage risks and comply with data protection requirements as they digitalize operations.

South Korea

South Korea has begun diplomatic engagement with Iran over vessels linked to the country that are currently unable to move through the Strait of Hormuz, according to diplomatic sources. A special envoy is visiting Tehran to discuss maritime safety and broader regional stability, as Seoul seeks to reduce risks to ships and crew amid ongoing tensions affecting one of the world’s key energy shipping routes.

💡Officials said about 26 South Korea-related vessels carrying more than 170 crew members are currently near the strait. Seoul is also reviewing possible humanitarian assistance for the wider Middle East, while stressing that its discussions with Iran are focused on ensuring safe navigation rather than securing special treatment for specific ships.

South Korea

South Korea’s government is standing by its plan to test a container shipping route along Russia’s Northern Sea Route, arguing it offers an alternative corridor amid global shipping disruptions and geopolitical instability. Officials say the trial, planned for later this year, is aimed at evaluating commercial viability as Arctic passages become more navigable in summer months.

However, industry response appears limited, with reports indicating only one small regional operator, PanStar Line, submitted a bid after a recent tender, while major carriers stayed out. The proposed operation would involve a relatively small ice-capable vessel, but concerns remain over crew expertise, as South Korea has only a limited number of certified polar navigators.

💡Environmental criticism has also emerged, with opponents warning that expanded Arctic shipping could raise ecological risks in the region.

Space

The space sector is entering a phase of commercialization and strategic competition, marked by expanding national space programs, growing private-public partnerships, and rising concerns over supply chain dependencies as countries race to build resilient launch, satellite, and communications infrastructure.

Canada-South Korea

At the Space Canada Horizons 2026 conference, Canadian launch firm Reaction Dynamics and South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean signed a memorandum of understanding at the company’s new Longueuil facility. The agreement opens discussions on potential investment and collaboration to support Canada’s developing commercial space launch sector, particularly in light and medium-lift capabilities, as Hanwha Ocean also competes for Canada’s submarine procurement program.

💡Reaction Dynamics said the partnership could help advance its containerized, rapidly deployable launch system that can operate from flexible sites such as airports and remote locations. The company also outlined plans for a suborbital test flight in Australia in the coming months and an orbital launch attempt in Nova Scotia later this decade, alongside continued expansion at its Montréal-area facility.


China

China has launched its Shenzhou-23 mission, sending three astronauts to the Tiangong space station for a mission that includes preparations for extended-duration human spaceflight. The crew will conduct scientific experiments in areas such as life sciences, materials research, fluid physics and medicine, with one astronaut expected to remain in orbit for up to a year to study the physiological effects of long-term exposure to microgravity.

💡The mission is part of China’s broader space program led by the China Manned Space Agency, which is advancing toward future lunar exploration goals, including a planned crewed Moon landing before 2030. It follows a series of six-month rotational missions to the Tiangong station and supports development of next-generation spacecraft, as well as preparations for longer-term deep-space exploration.


India

India has greenlit the development of Common Technical Facilities in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu to support space technology testing and development. The facilities, overseen by the Department of Space and implemented by IN-SPACe, will provide shared infrastructure for testing, validation, and integration, reducing costs for startups, MSMEs, and larger space companies. Both states have also identified land for dedicated space manufacturing clusters where the facilities will be located.

💡IN-SPACe will procure and initially operate the facilities before transferring them to state governments. The model is expected to accelerate innovation, attract private investment, and strengthen India’s space industry across commercial and strategic applications.


South Korea-USA

South Korea plans to launch a new Earth observation satellite in July from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellite, known as Medium Satellite No. 4, will be carried aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and is scheduled to be transported to the launch site next month.

💡The 500-kilogram satellite is designed for agricultural monitoring and forest resource observation and is the fourth in a standardized Earth-imaging platform developed under a South Korea-led program. The mission highlights Seoul’s continued expansion of its space capabilities, particularly in Earth observation and environmental monitoring applications.


USA-China

A new analysis from Altana highlights significant hidden exposure to Chinese and Russian suppliers within the U.S. commercial space industrial base, particularly in lower-tier supply chain layers that are difficult to trace and mitigate. The report found hundreds of thousands of imports since 2022 involving components linked to Chinese manufacturing, along with thousands more connected to Russian-origin inputs, concentrated in critical space technologies.

💡The study points to radiation-hardened electronics, structural materials, and specialized semiconductors as the most vulnerable categories, noting additional dependence on Taiwanese chip manufacturing for advanced space systems. It warns that such multi-layered dependencies could create both compliance risks and systemic fragility for satellite, launch, and defense programs, especially under potential geopolitical disruptions affecting key semiconductor supply hubs.


USA-Vietnam

Amazon is studying plans to deploy low-earth orbit satellite internet services in Vietnam through its Project Kuiper initiative, according to David Zapolsky, the company’s chief global affairs and legal officer. Speaking during a meeting with Vietnam’s Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan, Zapolsky also said Amazon is considering expanding operations in Vietnam and developing the country into a manufacturing hub for export products.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology said it supports Amazon’s research, investment and testing activities in the country. The ministry also encouraged Amazon to expand investment in digital infrastructure, data and high technology, while strengthening cooperation with local technology firms and workforce development.

💡Amazon first announced plans to explore Project Kuiper deployment in Vietnam in 2025 and later submitted related documents to the ministry.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

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**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: NEXTDC Launches $720M Malaysia AI Data Center; Stellantis Signs $1.2B China JV With Dongfeng; ENEOS Acquires Chevron $2.17B APAC Downstream Assets; Foxconn Injects $407M Into Singapore Holding Unit; and Fasset Raises $51M for Stablecoin Banking Expansion

Environmental Sustainability: Australia Cuts Biosecurity Funding; Australia–Hong Kong Solar Glass Joint Venture; China Launches EV Battery Recycling Crackdown; Japan–Oman Carbon Credit Mechanism Launched; Malaysia Expands E-Waste Enforcement Powers; New Zealand Blocks Climate Liability Lawsuits; and Vietnam Launches Island Environmental Protection Plan

Aviation: Australia Expands Brisbane Airport Industrial Park; Hong Kong Tests New Terminal 2 Operations; India Conducts First Seaplane Trial to Lakshadweep; Singapore Airlines Reaffirms Long-Term Air India Stake; Jeju Second Airport Debate Intensifies; and Thailand Unveils $365B Airport Expansion Plan

Advanced Air Mobility: China Establishes Low-Altitude Safety Department; India Tests Electric Air Taxi Prototype; India Develops Hydrogen eVTOL Infrastructure Network; and Japan Signs eVTOL Aircraft Purchase Agreement

Marine: China Fines Global Shipping Lines for Rate Violations; India Launches $1.5B Maritime Insurance Pool; Japan Signs Renewable Power Deal for Yokohama Port; Japan–Singapore Test Autonomous Cargo Ship Operations; and Thailand Investigates Major Oil Tanker Fuel Discrepancy Case

Space: China Launches Tianzhou-10 Cargo Mission; China MinoSpace Seeks $736M STAR Market IPO; India–Italy Expand Space Industry Cooperation; Singapore Launches Space Innovation Lab; and Axiom Space Plans Japanese Subsidiary for Future Space Station

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Financing & Investments

Global capital is increasingly converging on AI infrastructure, regional manufacturing localization, energy downstream consolidation, and regulated digital finance networks across Asia-Pacific and emerging markets, signaling a coordinated shift in how physical and financial infrastructure is being scaled worldwide.

Australia-Malaysia

Australia’s NEXTDC Limited has launched KL1 Kuala Lumpur, its first international data center project, with an investment of about $720 million. Located in Malaysia’s Klang Valley, the facility is designed to support artificial intelligence, cloud computing and high-performance computing workloads across Southeast Asia. The company said KL1 will provide 65MW of IT capacity and is expected to become the first Uptime Institute Tier IV-certified data center in Peninsular Malaysia.

💡NEXTDC said the facility is intended to serve organizations requiring secure, high-density infrastructure for AI and digital operations while meeting regional data governance requirements. Malaysian officials said the project supports the country’s plans to expand its digital economy and attract AI-related investment. The company added that the project will strengthen regional connectivity and support broader digital infrastructure links between Australia and Southeast Asia.


EU-China

Stellantis and Dongfeng Motor Corporation have signed a $1.2 billion agreement to produce Peugeot and Jeep vehicles in China. The deal, worth over 8 billion yuan, will support both domestic sales and exports, with Stellantis contributing about 130 million euros.

💡The agreement is part of Stellantis’ upcoming long-term strategy, set to be presented by CEO Antonio Filosa on May 21.

Japan

ENEOS Holdings has agreed to acquire Chevron Corporation’s downstream fuels and lubricants businesses across several Asia-Pacific markets in a deal valued at $2.17 billion. The transaction covers operations in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia, including Chevron Singapore’s 50 percent stake in the Singapore Refining Company. ENEOS said the acquisition will be completed through a Singapore-based special purpose vehicle and is expected to close in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.

The acquisition is aimed at expanding its fuels, lubricants and trading operations across Southeast Asia and Oceania as fuel demand in Japan declines and regional demand growth continues. The company plans to retain and develop the Caltex brand across Asia-Pacific markets and said integrating the assets with its existing operations is expected to strengthen regional supply chains and trading opportunities.

💡Chevron said the sale forms part of its international portfolio management strategy and that it will support the transition process during the ownership transfer.


Taiwan-Singapore

Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn, plans to inject about $407.2 million into its wholly owned subsidiary Foxconn Singapore Pte. Ltd. through the purchase of roughly 524.4 million common shares priced at SGD1 each, according to a filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Foxconn said the transaction is intended for long-term investment and will be funded through private capital.

💡After the transaction, Foxconn will hold more than 8.63 billion shares in Foxconn Singapore, with a cumulative value of about $6.54 billion, maintaining full ownership of the unit. Foxconn Singapore operates as an investment holding company and serves as a key intermediary for the group’s regional investments, including projects in Vietnam such as manufacturing investments in Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh provinces approved in 2024.

USA-Global

Fasset has raised $51 million in a Series B funding round to expand its stablecoin-powered banking and financial infrastructure services across Asia, Africa and the Americas. The US-based company said investors in the round included SBI Group, Arz Portföy, Investcorp and several family offices.

Fasset plans to build on its existing operations in markets including the UAE, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and Türkiye while expanding regulated financial infrastructure across more than 50 banking corridors. The company currently holds regulatory approvals in several jurisdictions, including the UAE, Indonesia, the European Union, Pakistan and Malaysia.

💡 The funding will support additional banking licenses, compliance systems and the development of its Own Network platform for stablecoin payments and custody. The firm also plans to expand lending, SME banking and trade finance services using stablecoin settlement systems to improve cross-border payments and liquidity access.

Environmental Sustainability

Environmental policy is simultaneously tightening enforcement and scaling green investment across Asia-Pacific, while political tensions emerge in Australia and New Zealand over how climate responsibility should be balanced with economic and legal constraints.

Australia

Australia’s federal budget has been criticized for cutting about $200 million over five years from agriculture, fisheries and forestry programs, including major reductions to pest and disease preparedness funding. Around $104 million in grants will be removed or reduced, with some savings redirected toward trade and export priorities within the portfolio.

💡Farm groups and conservation organizations warned the cuts weaken long-term biosecurity efforts despite pests and weeds costing Australian agriculture an estimated $5.3 billion annually. While the budget includes some funding for border monitoring, disease preparedness, and CSIRO support, critics argue the measures are short-term and insufficient, with concern over stalled work on invasive species control such as fire ants and rabbits.


Australia-Hong Kong

Australia’s ClearVue Technologies has formed a joint venture in Hong Kong with Chinese vacuum-glass manufacturer LandVac to produce power-generating glass for building facades. The venture, supported by InvestHK, is intended to scale manufacturing of solar-integrated glass for commercial buildings by leveraging production capacity in mainland China.

💡The companies said the technology embeds solar generation into building glass and has been tested to reduce building energy consumption by up to about 70%.

China

China has launched a coordinated enforcement campaign targeting illegal recycling and disposal of electric vehicle and e-moped power batteries. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, will run through the end of June and follows new April regulations requiring full lifecycle traceability of batteries. Authorities aim to dismantle long-standing black-market recycling channels that have operated alongside compliant “whitelist” firms.

The crackdown comes as China faces its first large-scale wave of EV battery retirements, driven by rapid vehicle adoption beginning in the mid-2010s and typical battery lifespans of five to eight years. Officials say weak enforcement in past systems allowed a significant share of batteries to flow into unregulated workshops, raising environmental and safety risks.

💡A national traceability platform now assigns unique identifiers to batteries across production, use, and recycling, with penalties for improper disposal intended to tighten control over rare metal recovery and supply chains.

Japan-Oman

Japan and Oman have launched a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) designed to support decarbonization projects while generating tradable carbon credits under the Paris Agreement framework. The agreement allows emissions reductions achieved in Oman to be partially counted toward Japan’s climate targets, while also supporting Oman’s own net-zero goals through joint government oversight and project approval.

💡The mechanism is expected to attract Japanese investment and technology across sectors including green hydrogen, renewable energy, transport, waste management and agriculture. Projects will be jointly developed by Omani and Japanese partners, with carbon credits verified by independent third parties and overseen by a bilateral committee

Malaysia

Malaysia’s federal government has granted state authorities expanded powers to crack down on illegal electronic waste processing, including the ability to carry out raids and seize land. The directive follows a national survey that identified 83 unlicensed plants handling hazardous e-waste across the country.

💡The measures are designed to strengthen enforcement against syndicates that import discarded electronics under false declarations, often leaving toxic residues that contaminate soil and waterways. Authorities said the new coordination framework will enable faster, joint operations and signal that Malaysia will not tolerate illegal waste operations.


New Zealand

New Zealand’s government is moving to amend the Climate Change Response Act 2002 to block courts from assigning tort liability for greenhouse gas emissions, directly overriding a Supreme Court ruling that allowed a landmark climate case to proceed. The decision is aimed at preventing lawsuits that could establish corporate liability for climate-related harm, with officials arguing that climate policy should be set by Parliament rather than through litigation.

The move affects the case Smith v Fonterra and others, brought by Māori elder Michael Smith against major emitters including Fonterra, Genesis Energy, New Zealand Steel, Z Energy, Channel Infrastructure, and BT Mining.

💡The government says the change will provide legal certainty for businesses, while critics argue it removes a key avenue for holding major emitters accountable through the courts.

Vietnam

The Van Don Special Zone in Vietnam has launched a 2026–2030 environmental protection project aimed at improving marine and island ecosystems. The initiative focuses on public awareness and mobilization efforts to reduce pollution and strengthen environmental management across the zone’s more than 600 islands, according to local authorities.

💡The plan sets targets for all island areas to meet “Green Island – Clean Island” standards by 2030, eliminate persistent waste sites, achieve at least 95% waste collection and treatment, and cut single-use plastic waste by over 80%. It also requires full household participation in environmental protection activities and promotes the development of green tourism, sustainable livelihoods, and green economic models across islands such as Ngoc Vung, Ban Sen, Minh Chau, and Quan Lan.

Aviation

Asia-Pacific aviation is in a broad expansion phase driven by infrastructure investment and new regional connectivity models, while environmental and political pressures increasingly influence long-term airport planning decisions.

Australia

Brisbane Airport has fast-tracked a 25-hectare expansion of its Airport Industrial Park in response to demand for logistics, supply chain, and manufacturing space in South East Queensland. The second stage follows full take-up of stage 1, which includes tenants such as Australia Post, Martin Brower, Sadleirs, Tile One, and 4WD Supacentre.

💡The new stage will deliver up to 27,000 square metres of lettable warehouse space across initial lots ranging from about 1,400 to 5,500 square metres, with provision for up to 10 tenants. The project is part of a broader $5 billion airport investment program over five years, with further industrial land releases planned and sustainability targets including 5 Star Green Star design standards.


Hong Kong

Hong Kong International Airport has completed a full-scale operational trial at its new Terminal 2 departure facilities ahead of the planned opening on May 27. The exercise involved over 1,100 participants from around 30 organizations, including Airport Authority Hong Kong, airlines, ground handlers, and government agencies.

💡The trial tested end-to-end passenger departure flows, including transport access, airline check-in, self-service bag drop, security screening, immigration, and boarding via the Automated People Mover. About 15 airlines, including HK Express Airways, Hong Kong Airlines, and Greater Bay Airlines, are expected to gradually shift departure operations to Terminal 2 starting 27 May.


India

A seaplane trial flight was completed between Kochi and Lakshadweep using a DHC6-400 Twin Otter operated by Skyhop. The aircraft landed at Agatti Island and later at Kavaratti Island, marking the first seaplane landings in the Lakshadweep lagoons.

💡The trial was coordinated with the Lakshadweep administration, Airports Authority of India, and Cochin International Airport Limited as part of efforts to evaluate seaplane connectivity for the region.


Singapore-India

Singapore Airlines Group has reaffirmed its commitment to its 25.1% stake in Air India, saying the carrier is showing “tangible progress” despite ongoing losses and operational challenges. Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said the investment, made alongside the Tata Group, is a long-term play tied to India’s aviation growth potential.

💡Air India reported about S$3.56 billion in losses for the year ended March 2026, weighing on Singapore Airlines Group’s profit. Goh pointed to service upgrades and internal restructuring efforts while noting that the turnaround will take time, with improvements expected over a multi-year horizon.

South Korea

Public debate over Jeju Island’s proposed second airport is intensifying, with civic groups split over its environmental impact and need for additional air capacity. Opponents raised concerns about bird strike risks, habitat disruption, and gaps in environmental assessments, while supporters argue the project is necessary to address chronic congestion at the existing airport and support future demand.

💡The issue has remained unresolved since the plan was first proposed in 2015 and later advanced through environmental review and a basic development plan in 2024, but has since stalled amid political change and local opposition. With Jeju Airport operating near capacity and handling over 30 million passengers annually, the project remains politically sensitive, and leading gubernatorial candidates have so far avoided firm positions, instead calling for further review or public consultation.

Thailand

Airports of Thailand (AOT) is revising its airport development plan with total investment of about 365 billion baht to increase combined capacity across six airports to 180 million passengers per year by 2034. The plan focuses on major upgrades at Suvarnabhumi Airport, including an East Expansion project and a South Terminal development, along with supporting infrastructure such as a fourth runway, cargo facilities, and aviation service zones.

💡Don Mueang Airport is also set for a major expansion with a new international terminal and related upgrades, while regional airports in Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai will be expanded in phases. Feasibility studies are also underway for two potential new airports in Phang Nga and Lanna as part of the broader network plan.

Advanced Air Mobility

Urban air mobility is shifting from experimentation to structured development as regulators, startups, and infrastructure providers begin aligning on certification pathways and operational ecosystems across Asia.

China

Civil Aviation Administration of China has established a new low-altitude safety department as part of efforts to develop the country’s low-altitude economy. The department will be responsible for planning low-altitude civil aviation development, coordinating safety and growth, and building flight service dispatch platforms and supporting service station systems, according to the regulator.

💡The development follows earlier steps by the National Development and Reform Commission to establish a dedicated unit for low-altitude economic planning and policy coordination.

India

Magnum Wings, an Andhra Pradesh-based startup, has completed an unmanned flight trial of its V2 2.0 electric air taxi prototype. The company said the test marks a step toward developing its urban air mobility platform and places it among early-stage Indian firms working on electric air taxi systems.

💡The V2 2.0 is designed for short-distance travel with an estimated 45-minute endurance and a range of about 30 kilometres. The company plans to move toward certification, followed by manned testing and potential commercial operations, subject to regulatory approvals.

India

Jio-bp and VJaitra Air Mobility have signed an MoU to develop charging and green hydrogen infrastructure for electric and hydrogen-powered eVTOL aircraft. The plan includes EV charging stations, hydrogen refuelling hubs, and vertiports integrated with existing fuel and transport networks to support future air taxi operations.

💡The partnership targets both short-range electric flights and longer-range hydrogen aircraft, aligning with India’s clean energy and transport goals. VJaitra is developing eVTOL aircraft for passenger, medical, and logistics use, while Jio-bp will support infrastructure rollout across selected urban and intercity routes.

Japan

SkyDrive Inc. has signed a letter of intent with Tohoku Air Service for the planned purchase of one SkyDrive Model SD-05 eVTOL aircraft, with delivery targeted for 2028. The agreement marks the first time a Japan-based helicopter operator has agreed in principle to acquire an eVTOL from SkyDrive.

💡Tohoku Air Service plans to assess the aircraft’s operational requirements, safety, and infrastructure needs before potential deployment in services such as regional transport, tourism, medical response, and disaster relief. The company said it will use its helicopter operations experience to evaluate how eVTOLs could be integrated into future regional mobility services in Japan.

Marine

The maritime sector is tightening regulatory compliance while accelerating decarbonization and digital transformation, alongside heightened scrutiny of operational transparency and energy logistics integrity.

China

China’s Ministry of Transport has fined nine international container shipping lines and seven domestic non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) for freight rate filing violations. The companies were found to have failed to properly complete rate filings or reported discrepancies between filed and actual prices following inspections at ports including Guangzhou, Qingdao, and Ningbo in 2025.

💡Major carriers affected include MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, CMA CGM Group, Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express, and Evergreen Marine Corporation, along with other smaller operators. The ministry said the penalties serve as a warning and it will increase enforcement to ensure compliance with freight rate filing rules.

India

India has launched the $1.5 billion Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool with a $1.4 billion sovereign guarantee to provide domestic insurance coverage for shipping operations amid geopolitical risks. The mechanism covers hull, cargo, liability, and war risks for India-linked vessels and reduces dependence on foreign reinsurers.

💡State-owned General Insurance Corporation of India will administer the pool. Claims up to $100 million will be covered within the pool, with higher losses backed by the sovereign guarantee after reserves and reinsurance are used.


Japan

APM Terminals Japan has signed a 20-year offsite corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) with FPS Inc. to supply renewable electricity to its Yokohama terminal. The deal will provide solar-generated power from facilities with about 5.5 MW of installed capacity in the Tokyo region, starting April 1, 2026, and is expected to reduce Scope 2 emissions by roughly 2.6 ktCO₂e annually.

💡The agreement supports the wider decarbonization goals of A.P. Moller – Maersk, which targets 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040. By replacing grid electricity with renewable supply, the PPA also aims to stabilize long-term energy costs while contributing to Japan’s energy transition through the addition of new solar capacity to the national grid.

Japan-Singapore

A NYK Line-operated car carrier, Elder Leader, completed its first call at the Port of Singapore on April 29, 2026, in a joint demonstration with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. The vessel is fitted with autonomous navigation systems, LNG propulsion, and other digital shipping technologies aimed at improving efficiency and reducing emissions.

💡The trial tested data exchange between the ship’s autonomous systems and Singapore’s port traffic management platforms, including voyage planning, pilotage coordination, and real-time operational updates. Conducted with a pilot onboard under safety controls, the exercise is intended to support future integration of autonomous vessels into international shipping routes.

Thailand

Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has opened a probe into nine companies linked to oil tanker operations after an estimated 57–60 million liters of fuel reportedly went missing during transport in the Gulf of Thailand. The case covers 20 shipping trips involving 12 vessels moving oil from refineries in Thailand’s eastern region, with irregularities reported near Surat Thani.

💡Investigators are examining possible violations under the Price of Goods and Services Act, including alleged transport delays, stockpiling, and distribution issues. The DSI has questioned all nine firms and is reviewing navigation data from the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center to verify voyage timelines and reported disruptions such as weather, mechanical issues, and port congestion.

Space

Space activity is rapidly globalizing and commercializing, with stronger cross-border partnerships, growing private-sector participation, and accelerating infrastructure development for orbital and satellite-based economies.

China

China launched the cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-10 aboard a Long March 7 from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on May 11, successfully delivering supplies to the Tiangong space station. The craft separated from the rocket after about 10 minutes and later docked with the station’s Tianhe core module, carrying over 6.2 tonnes of cargo including consumables, propellant, and scientific payloads.

The mission also delivered experimental materials for space research, including zebrafish embryos, mouse embryos, and artificial human embryo models for studying early developmental biology in microgravity. Additional payloads include ultra-thin flexible solar cells, a greenhouse gas monitoring instrument developed with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and upgraded extravehicular spacesuits and station supplies.

💡Tianzhou-10 is expected to remain docked for about one year, supporting ongoing operations and crew activities aboard Tiangong.

China

Satellite manufacturer MinoSpace has had its IPO application accepted on Shanghai’s STAR Market, seeking about $736 million to fund satellite constellation and product expansion plans. Plans call for developing the first phase of its 112-satellite Taijing constellation, which includes optical, multispectral, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites.

The company said it has already launched 32 satellites and operates a production capacity of up to 150 satellites per year in Wuxi. IPO proceeds would support construction of R&D facilities, new satellite platforms, communications satellite development, and SAR payload manufacturing.

💡The prospectus reports 2025 revenue of about $57 million, a net loss of $26.6 million, and an order backlog exceeding $147 million, including a major remote sensing constellation contract for Sichuan province.


India-Italy

India’s space regulator IN-SPACe led a delegation of nine Indian space-tech companies to Space Meetings Veneto 2026 in Venice, Italy, where firms announced multiple commercial partnerships with European counterparts. The event brought together global space industry players and focused on cooperation in launch services, satellite infrastructure, navigation systems, and mission operations.

💡Key agreements included Karnataka-based Astrobase Space Technologies signing an MoU with Italy’s Impulso Space to support launch opportunities and integrated mission management, while Kepler Aerospace signed a framework agreement with Apogeo Space to expand ground station-as-a-service infrastructure and collaborate on CubeSats, payload systems, and satellite operations. VyomIC also announced a separate collaboration focused on navigation and resilient infrastructure technologies.

Singapore

Singapore Space & Technology Think Tank has launched the Singapore Space Lab, described as the country’s first dedicated space innovation lab focused on commercial applications of space technologies in Southeast Asia. Supported by Deloitte, the lab will provide a platform for businesses, startups, investors and government agencies to explore technologies including Earth observation, satellite communications and geospatial analytics across sectors such as agriculture, logistics, energy and urban planning.

SST Think Tank and Deloitte said wider adoption of Earth observation data could generate nearly $100 billion in cumulative GDP value across Southeast Asia between 2023 and 2030, while the broader Asia-Pacific region could see $619 billion by 2030.

💡The launch comes as regional governments expand investments in space infrastructure and regulation, including Singapore’s establishment of a national space agency in 2026 and Vietnam’s opening of the Vietnam National Space Centre in Hanoi earlier this year.

USA-Japan

Axiom Space said astronaut Wakata Koichi will lead its newly planned Japanese subsidiary set to launch in July. The company is developing a commercial space station intended to succeed the International Space Station (ISS), which is scheduled to end operations around 2030.

Axiom Space, working with NASA’s plan to transition low-Earth orbit operations to private industry, aims to support a station with four permanent astronauts and is considering including a Japanese astronaut in its crew roster.

💡Wakata, a former Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut and ISS commander, said he will help ensure Japanese technical expertise contributes to future space infrastructure as he takes on a corporate leadership role following his 2024 retirement from JAXA.

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**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: France Partners Drive Digital Payment Expansion in Malaysia; AIXTRON to Build Semiconductor Equipment Plant in Penang; Animoca Brands Funds AI Agent Platform Projects; Indonesia and China Link QR Payment Systems Across Borders; Kredivo Acquires Majority Stake in Vietnam’s Timo Digital Bank; Malaysian Tech Firms Secure Export Deals at Tokyo and SEMICON Events; PDG Secures $856 Million for Indonesia Data Center Campus; Bithumb and SSI Group Partner on Vietnam Crypto Exchange Launch; and Thailand Approves $29 Billion in Digital and Infrastructure Projects

Environmental Sustainability: ADB and Japan Launch Energy Security and Transition Initiative; EU, Brazil, and China Form Global Carbon Market Coalition; New Zealand Appoints Xpansiv Subsidiary to Run ETS Auctions; Pakistan and China Explore Green Finance Cooperation; Philippines Solar Project Reaches $300 Million Financial Close; and Singapore, Philippines Sign Carbon Credit Cooperation Agreement

Aviation: Australia Introduces National Jet Fuel Reserve and Stockholding Rules; India Approves Emergency Credit Support for Airlines; AirAsia Orders 150 Airbus A220 Aircraft; SATS Raises Stake in Chinese Airline Catering Firm; ITP Aero Expands Manufacturing Facility in India; Taiwan Airlines Maintain Fuel Surcharge Levels Despite Rising Costs; and Vietjet Signs Aviation Cooperation Deals in India

Advanced Air Mobility: Skyportz Unveils Vertiport Surface Design to Address Safety Challenges; China Issues Pilot Licences for AS700 Airship Operations; Bamboo-Based Composite Drone Completes First Flight in Tianjin; SkyDrive Forms Osaka Vertiport Consortium for eVTOL Services; Hyundai and KAI Partner on Electric Air Mobility Aircraft; and Skyports Signs Gold Coast Agreement for AAM Infrastructure Development

Marine: Australia Advances Port Of Hastings Offshore Wind Project; OOCL Challenges US Maritime Regulator In Court; PIL, PSA And DNV Launch Singapore Green Shipping Service; South Korea Launches Autonomous Ship AI Data Platform; and DP World Extends Laem Chabang Port Concession

Space: China Tianzhou-9 Undocks From Tiangong Station; China Prepares Tianzhou-10 Cargo Launch To Tiangong; China Tests Orbital Satellite Refuelling With Yuxing-3 06; Skyroot Aerospace Becomes India Space Unicorn After US$60 Million Round; Pixxel And Sarvam Plan India Orbital Data Centre Satellite; and Japan Startup Sends Gundam-Inspired Robot To ISS

Financing & Investments

Digital finance, AI platforms, and infrastructure investment are accelerating across Asia, with Malaysia expanding tokenized payment systems through IDEMIA and Thailand approving large-scale data centre projects worth tens of billions.

France-Malaysia

France-based IDEMIA Secure Transactions has partnered with Payments Network Malaysia to support the expansion of digital payments in Malaysia through the MyDebit network. Under the collaboration, banks will enable MyDebit cards for mobile payments using IST’s tokenization platform integrated with PayNet’s domestic payment infrastructure.

💡The rollout will involve 11 banks, with AmBank becoming the first to allow customers to add MyDebit cards to mobile wallets for proximity and in-app payments. IST said its tokenization platform replaces card details with digital tokens to support secure NFC, online and in-app transactions. The system also uses AES 256 encryption to help protect payment data and reduce cybersecurity risks.


Germany-Malaysia

AIXTRON SE has signed an agreement with Malaysian Investment Development Authority to establish a greenfield manufacturing facility in Penang, Malaysia. The plant will be located at Bandar Cassia Technology Park on an 8.5-acre site and will include office space, cleanrooms, and logistics areas for producing semiconductor deposition equipment used in advanced chip manufacturing.

💡The facility is designed to support production of equipment for next-generation semiconductors used in power electronics, communications, optoelectronics, and computing applications.


Hong Kong

Animoca Brands will invest up to $10 million in early-stage projects built on its AI agent platform, “Minds by Animoca Brands.” The program targets developers in gaming, finance, productivity, and social applications, provided they integrate Minds as a core component. Minds allows users to deploy persistent AI agents without managing backend infrastructure.

💡Selected projects will receive funding, technical support, and access to Animoca Brands’ ecosystem of more than 600 Web3-related projects. The company said capital will be allocated based on project quality rather than a fixed timeline. Minds is positioned as part of an “agentic web” concept, where autonomous AI agents operate and interact across digital systems.


Indonesia-China

Indonesia and China have launched a cross-border QR payment linkage connecting Indonesia’s QRIS payment system with Chinese payment platforms through Alipay+ and UnionPay International. The initiative, introduced under the guidance of Bank Indonesia and People’s Bank of China, allows users of Alipay and the UnionPay App to make payments at more than 40 million QRIS merchants in Indonesia, while QRIS-supported Indonesian payment apps can scan over 80 million Alipay and UnionPay QR codes in China.

💡The system is intended to support local currency transactions and improve payment access for tourism and trade.


Indonesia-Vietnam

Indonesia-based BNPL firm Kredivo has acquired a 99.99 percent stake in Timo Digital Bank, expanding its presence in Vietnam and strengthening its regional digital financial services business. The acquisition follows a recent funding round backed by investors including Mizuho Bank, Amazon, Asia Partners, Square Peg Capital and Cathay Innovation.Existing Timo shareholders Phoenix Holdings and VinaCapital will retain minority stakes in the expanded Kredivo Vietnam.

💡Founded in 2015, Timo provides digital banking services including payments, savings and deposits. Timo will continue operating under its current brand as Kredivo Group’s digital banking business in Vietnam, while Kredivo Vietnam will rebrand as Timo Credit. Kredivo Group operates consumer credit, digital banking and SME financing businesses in Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.

Malaysia-Japan

Malaysian technology firms generated more than MYR 450 million ($115.09 million) in potential export deals at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, according to Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation. The opportunities were linked to demand for AI, mobility and autonomous technology solutions. Among the agreements announced was a collaboration between CitySageand Japan’s Eight Knot to explore AI-driven maritime mobility applications. MDEC said it arranged more than 150 meetings between Malaysian companies and international partners across sectors including fintech, robotics and semiconductors.

💡Separately, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation said potential exports worth MYR 126.42 million ($32.33 million) were recorded at SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026. Malaysia’s electrical and electronics sector contributed MYR 711.44 billion ($181.93 billion), or 44.3 percent of total exports in 2025, led by semiconductor devices and integrated circuits.


Singapore-Vietnam

Singapore-based Princeton Digital Group said it has secured about $856 million in financing for the development of its 120-MW JC3 data center campus in Indonesia. The financing includes a fully underwritten $456 million syndicated facility from banks including DBS, HSBC, Maybank, SMBC and Standard Chartered, with an additional accordion facility of about $400 million under discussion. PDG said the financing was arranged under its Green Finance Framework.

💡The JC3 campus is being developed in Greenland International Industrial Center in Bekasi Regency, Greater Jakarta, with an initial investment of $1 billion.


South Korea-Vietnam

South Korean virtual asset exchange Bithumb and SSID, a subsidiary of SSI Securities, have signed an agreement to jointly launch and operate a virtual asset exchange business in Vietnam. The partnership includes potential strategic equity investment by Bithumb in an SSID-designated entity, subject to future regulatory approval for virtual assets in Vietnam.

💡The companies said they will cooperate on exchange infrastructure, wallet and custody systems, security, risk management, regulatory support and product development. The move follows Vietnam’s 2025 resolution to pilot cryptocurrency exchanges for five years.

Thailand

Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has approved six projects worth a combined 958 billion baht ($29 billion), led by large-scale digital infrastructure investments, including major data center expansion by TikTok System (Thailand). The TikTok-related project, valued at 842 billion baht ($25 billion), will expand servers and data processing capacity across Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chachoengsao to support growing digital demand and AI-driven services.

💡Other approved projects include a 46 billion baht data center by Skyline Data Center and Cloud Services and a 24.6 billion baht facility by Bridge Data Centers IIO (Thailand) in Chonburi. The remaining approvals cover renewable energy, recycling, wind power, and fertilizer production projects.

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Environmental Sustainability

Climate cooperation is shifting into implementation mode, with the EU–Brazil–China carbon market coalition and the Singapore–Philippines carbon credit agreement both signalling growing alignment on operational emissions trading systems.

Asia-Japan

Asian Development Bank and Japan have launched a joint initiative called ACCEL (Action for Creating Energy Security for Long-term Resilience) to help countries and businesses in Asia and the Pacific manage rising energy costs while supporting longer-term energy transition efforts. The program is aimed at addressing fuel price volatility, supply constraints, and liquidity pressures affecting developing economies and private sector firms, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Under ACCEL, ADB will deploy existing financing tools such as credit lines, guarantees, and policy-based loans to support businesses facing funding stress, alongside technical assistance for SMEs. The initiative will also fund renewable energy, energy efficiency, and conservation projects to improve long-term energy resilience.

💡Japan will contribute through ADB-administered trust funds and coordinate with institutions including Japan International Cooperation Agency and Japan Bank for International Cooperation, with further implementation details to be announced later.

EU-Brazil-China

The European Union, Brazil, and China have jointly launched the Open Coalition on Compliance Carbon Markets to improve cooperation on carbon pricing systems worldwide. The initiative is intended to strengthen the transparency, integrity, and effectiveness of domestic carbon markets, including emissions trading systems and carbon taxes, in support of global climate goals under the Paris Agreement.

The coalition was formally launched in Florence, Italy, with participation from senior officials representing the EU, China, and Brazil. New Zealand and Germany are the first countries to join as members, with further participation expected. Brazil will chair the coalition for the first two years, while China and the European Commission will serve as co-chairs.

💡The platform will focus on issues such as carbon accounting standards, monitoring and verification systems, and improving the quality of carbon credits, with a work plan expected to be finalized in 2026.

New Zealand

New Zealand has appointed a new operator to run auctions under its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), following an open tender process by the Ministry for the Environment. The contract has been awarded to CBL Markets, an Australian subsidiary of Xpansiv, which will take over auction delivery from September 2026.

💡Under the transition plan, NZX will continue operating the June 2026 auction before handing over responsibilities. The new contract runs through to the end of 2030, with an option to extend to 2035. The Ministry said Xpansiv brings experience in operating environmental markets across multiple jurisdictions and will work with NZX to ensure a smooth transition for ETS participants.


Pakistan-China

Pakistan is seeking to expand cooperation with China on climate finance, focusing on developing bankable green projects through investment, technology transfer, and carbon market mechanisms. The discussions took place in Islamabad between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Malik and Ma Jun, head of the Institute of Finance and Sustainability.

The talks highlighted China’s experience in building green finance systems and scaling climate-related investments, alongside Pakistan’s need to attract funding for adaptation and mitigation projects due to its exposure to extreme weather events. Pakistan also outlined plans for a “Green Fields” initiative aimed at linking climate-focused entrepreneurs with investors.

💡Both sides discussed potential cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and low-carbon production systems.

Philippines

A 440 MWp solar project in Ilagan City, Isabela in the Philippines has reached financial close, backed by a roughly US$300 million international financing package. The project is being developed by TotalEnergies and Nextnorth, and is supported by a lender group including ING Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Standard Chartered. It is currently under construction and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027.

More than half of the project’s output will be sold under long-term contracts with retail electricity suppliers AdventEnergy and PrimeRES, while the remainder will be supplied to the national grid through the Philippines’ Green Energy Auction Program.

💡The deal is described as the largest internationally financed solar project in the country to date, with legal advisory provided to lenders by Norton Rose Fulbright. The structure is positioned as a blended offtake model combining contracted and auction-based revenue streams.

Singapore-Philippines

Singapore and the Philippines have signed the Philippines’ first Article 6 Implementation Agreement under the Paris Agreement during ASEAN Climate Week in Manila, establishing a legally binding framework for cross-border carbon credit generation and transfer.

💡The agreement enables approved mitigation projects in the Philippines to generate carbon credits for transfer to Singapore, subject to Article 6 rules on authorization and accounting. It is expected to channel climate finance into local projects with potential impacts on employment, energy security, and pollution reduction.

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Aviation

The aviation sector is navigating short-term financial stress while committing to long-term capacity growth, as India introduces emergency airline credit support and AirAsia places a major order for 150 Airbus A220 aircraft.

Australia

Australia will require minimum stockholdings equivalent to 50 days of jet fuel under new federal fuel security measures aimed at strengthening supply resilience. The policy is part of a $10 billion Australian Fuel Security and Resilience package, which includes $3.2 billion to establish a government-owned fuel reserve of about one billion litres covering jet fuel and diesel.

💡Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the reserve would supplement private-sector minimum stock obligations, which will also be increased, and address Australia’s relatively low strategic fuel storage compared with other International Energy Agency members.

India

India has approved an emergency credit support package of up to INR50 billion (US$529 million) for domestic airlines under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 5.0. The measure, announced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on May 6, 2026, increases earlier planned support of INR40 billion.

💡The scheme provides a 90% government credit guarantee on airline loans, with a cap of INR10 billion per borrower plus an additional INR5 billion linked to equity infusion. Loans will have a tenure of up to seven years, including a two-year repayment moratorium, and will be available to eligible airlines with standard loan accounts as of March 31, 2026. .


Malaysia-Canada

AirAsia has signed a purchase agreement for 150 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, marking the largest single firm order for the A220 programme and its entry as a new customer for the aircraft type. AirAsia will also become the launch customer for a new A220 cabin layout with up to 160 seats. The aircraft will be deployed across ASEAN and Central Asia routes, with larger aircraft redeployed to longer-haul services.

💡The A220 is designed to carry 100–160 passengers over distances of up to 3,600 nautical miles and is certified to operate with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel, with Airbus targeting 100% SAF compatibility by 2030.

Singapore-China

SATS Ltd has increased its stake in Nanjing Weizhou Airline Food Corp to 90% after acquiring an additional 40% interest from founder Luo Bo. The move consolidates SATS’ control of the China-based frozen aviation meals producer, which supplies airlines across the country.

💡SATS first invested in NWA in 2019 with a 50% stake and said the business has since more than doubled revenue as Chinese carriers expand use of frozen inflight meals.

Spain-India

ITP Aero has held a groundbreaking ceremony for an expanded manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, India. The company said it has operated in the city for 15 years and is expanding its local footprint and production capacity.

💡The new site is scheduled to be operational in 2027 and will manufacture components for commercial aviation engines, including fabricated and machined parts. It is expected to create more than 350 jobs over five years, in addition to the company’s existing manufacturing workforce in the region.


Taiwan

Taiwan’s major airlines will keep international passenger fuel surcharges unchanged this month at US$45 for short-haul routes and US$117 for long-haul routes. EVA Airways and Starlux Airlines confirmed the decision on Monday, while China Airlines also said it would maintain current levels in line with the Civil Aviation Administration’s pricing mechanism.

The unchanged surcharges remain in place despite higher aviation fuel costs, which Taiwan’s state-run refiner CPC Corp said averaged US$208.78 per barrel, far above the US$40 benchmark used for surcharge calculations.

💡Airlines said they are absorbing most of the additional fuel expenses, with EVA Airways estimating it covers about 85% of long-haul extra costs and 66% of short-haul costs, while Starlux said it absorbs roughly 66% and 43% respectively.

Vietnam-India

Vietjet has signed cooperation agreements with India’s GMR Airports Limited and Bird Group to explore joint work in aviation, logistics, infrastructure, technology, tourism, and related services.

💡Under the agreements, Vietjet and GMR Airports Limited will examine collaboration in airport development, logistics, aviation services, and smart airport projects, while the partnership with Bird Group will focus on ground handling, training, aviation technology, and travel and hospitality services.

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Advanced Air Mobility

Advanced air mobility is moving into early operational planning, with SkyDrive forming an Osaka vertiport consortium and Skyports advancing infrastructure agreements in Australia to support future eVTOL networks.

Australia

Skyportz has released details of its “Aeroberm” vertiport surface technology, which it says is designed to address operational challenges for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, including rotor downwash, noise, and lithium-ion battery fire risks.The company said computational fluid dynamics analysis conducted with Swinburne University indicates the modular fractal panel design can dissipate rotor energy more effectively than conventional surfaces, while also reducing noise impacts.

💡Skyportz added that the system is being positioned for potential use in new or retrofit vertiport sites, as regulators in the U.S. and Europe increase focus on safety and environmental requirements for urban air mobility infrastructure.



China

China has issued its first batch of pilot licences for the Xiangyun AS700, its first domestically developed crewed airship produced by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The licences were granted by the Civil Aviation Administration of China to four pilots trained under AVIC’s Special Vehicle Research Institute.

💡The airship is designed for applications including tourism, emergency response, aerial surveying, and urban operations. Authorities said the milestone establishes a domestic training pipeline for airship operations, with 44 units already on order and plans to scale up training capacity as demand for commercial deployment grows.

China

A tilt-rotor UAV developed with bamboo-based composite materials has completed its maiden flight in Tianjin. The International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan said it is the first fixed-wing UAV globally to use more than 25% bamboo-based structural materials.

The drone was jointly developed by the centre, the Beihang University Ningbo Innovation Research Institute and Long Bamboo Technology Group. It has a wingspan of over 2.5 metres, weighs about 7 kilograms, can take off vertically, and has a flight endurance of more than one hour.

💡Researchers said the bamboo-based composite structure makes the aircraft over 20% lighter than comparable carbon-fibre designs and reduces material costs significantly, with further testing conducted to meet airworthiness standards.

Japan

SkyDrive Inc. has formed Japan’s first consortium for the commercial operation and shared use of an eVTOL vertiport in Osaka. The group includes Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Osaka Metro Co., Ltd., Soracle, and Marubeni Corporation, and will support the planned commercialisation of the Osakako Vertiport in Osaka Bay.

The consortium will focus on establishing operational frameworks for electric vertical takeoff and landing services and integrating existing infrastructure such as helicopter landing sites to support future air mobility services.

💡SkyDrive said the initiative builds on prior demonstration flights in the Osaka area and aims to advance preparation for commercial eVTOL operations in the region.

South Korea

Hyundai Motor Group and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft based on electrified propulsion systems. The agreement brings together Hyundai’s electric vehicle powertrain capabilities, through its Supernal unit, and KAI’s aircraft design and manufacturing expertise.

💡The collaboration covers joint aircraft development as well as wider coordination on supply chains, certification processes, and commercialisation strategies. Supernal will lead design and engineering of the AAM platform, while KAI contributes airframe development and aerospace systems, with both companies aiming to position the project for global civilian air mobility markets.

UK-Australia

Skyports Infrastructure has signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Gold Coast to explore the development of advanced air mobility infrastructure in the region. Under the MoU, Skyports will assess potential vertiport sites, support planning and regulatory processes, and develop infrastructure for a future network, with the intention of operating it over time.

💡The proposed network is intended to support eVTOL services, with potential routes aimed at reducing travel times between key locations such as the Gold Coast Airport and central business and tourism areas. Skyports said it is also in discussions with airport operators and other stakeholders on potential site integration as part of early-stage planning.

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Marine

Maritime and port sectors are increasingly focused on decarbonisation, digitalization, and regulatory pressure, while also facing rising legal and operational complexity, as seen in OOCL’s challenge to US maritime enforcement and Singapore’s rollout of verified green logistics systems.

Australia

The Victorian government will invest more than A$124 million to advance planning and environmental approvals for the proposed Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal at the Port of Hastings. The funding will go toward completing the Environmental Effects Statement process for the port, which is designed to handle turbine assembly and staging before offshore installation.

💡The terminal forms part of Victoria’s offshore wind rollout strategy, aimed at strengthening energy supply and sustaining Gippsland’s role in the state’s energy system. An auction for the first 2GW of offshore wind capacity is expected in August, with projected output sufficient to power about 1.5 million homes.

Hong Kong-USA

Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has filed a legal challenge in a US federal court seeking to halt proceedings by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and overturn a $45m penalty related to alleged violations of the US Shipping Act. The carrier argues that the FMC’s use of administrative law judges to adjudicate enforcement cases is unconstitutional and that such disputes should instead be heard in federal courts with jury trials.

💡The case stems from an FMC ruling that found OOCL liable for failing to meet space commitments and for retaliatory conduct during pandemic-era shipping disruptions, resulting in a record reparations order of about $45.6m linked to the bankruptcy estate of Bed Bath & Beyond.

Singapore

Pacific International Lines (PIL), PSA International, and DNV have introduced a joint green logistics service in Singapore focused on reducing Scope 3 emissions for transhipped cargo. The initiative links emissions reductions across shipping, port handling, and inland logistics, with pilot operations planned for May.

💡PIL will contribute vessel operations and fuel-related measures, while PSA will focus on lower-emission terminal and landside activities. DNV will support the system with digital tracking and independent verification of emissions data, enabling more consistent reporting for cargo owners moving through the Port of Singapore.


South Korea

South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) have launched a four-year Autonomous Ship AI Data Platform project to support development of autonomous navigation technologies. Around 25 organizations, including shipbuilders and shipping companies, have signed agreements to share operational data for training AI systems used in functions such as collision avoidance, route optimisation, and equipment failure prediction.

💡The programme runs until 2029 with a total budget of about US$23.9 million, combining public funding and private investment. The Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) will lead technical implementation, standardising and collecting data across navigation, engine systems, and digital twin applications.


UAE-Thailand

DP World has secured a five-year extension to operate the B5 container berth at Thailand’s Laem Chabang Port through its joint venture Laem Chabang International Terminal (LCIT). The concession runs from May 2026 to April 2031 and maintains the company’s role at Thailand’s main deep-sea port, which is the country’s largest container gateway.

💡DP World said the extension will support ongoing investment in terminal capacity and electrification, including the rollout of electric handling equipment and expanded inland logistics links connected to the port.

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Space

Space activity is shifting from exploration toward operational capability and infrastructure use, with China expanding station logistics and in-orbit servicing tests while India and Japan advance commercial launch and robotic applications alongside emerging orbital computing concepts.

China

China’s Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft has successfully undocked from the Tiangong space station and entered independent flight. The vehicle will later conduct a controlled re-entry, with any remaining debris expected to fall into a designated safe ocean area.

💡Launched in July 2025 from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan, Tianzhou-9 delivered supplies including crew provisions, propellant, and experimental equipment for the orbiting station. The mission supports ongoing operations of China’s space station programme, with the cargo craft now completing its final phase before atmospheric re-entry.

China

China’s Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft, mounted on a Long March 7 Y11 rocket, has been moved to the launch pad at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, entering the final preparation phase ahead of its scheduled launch. The China Manned Space Agency said the spacecraft and ground systems are in stable condition, with pre-launch checks and integrated testing now underway.

The mission will deliver around 6.3 tonnes of supplies to the Tiangong space station, including crew provisions, propellant, experimental equipment, and a third next-generation extravehicular spacesuit. The payload also includes scientific experiments and equipment for microgravity research.

💡After launch, Tianzhou-10 will support ongoing operations for the station’s current astronaut crews and replace the recently departed Tianzhou-9 cargo vehicle.

China

China’s Yuxing-3 06 satellite has completed in-orbit tests of robotic arm-assisted refuelling and docking technologies.Developed by Emposat subsidiary Sustain Space, the satellite carried out simulated propellant transfer operations using a flexible robotic arm designed for precise rendezvous and docking tasks in orbit.

💡The mission tested multiple control modes, including autonomous operation, real-time ground guidance, and vision-based servo control. Researchers say the system is intended to support future in-orbit servicing concepts, where dedicated spacecraft could refuel or maintain other satellites, reducing the need to decommission spacecraft once onboard fuel is exhausted.


India

Skyroot Aerospace has raised US$60 million in a funding round co-led by GIC and Sherpalo Ventures, with participation from investors including Arkam Ventures, BlackRock-managed funds, Playbook Partners, and family offices.

💡The company said the round brings total funding to US$160 million and values it at about US$1.1 billion, making it India’s first space “unicorn.” Skyroot said the capital will support scaling its Vikram-1 launch vehicle programme, expanding manufacturing capacity in Hyderabad, and advancing development of its next-generation Vikram-2 rocket.


India

Pixxel and Sarvam AI have announced a partnership to develop India’s first orbital data centre satellite, called Pathfinder.The 200 kg-class satellite, scheduled for launch as early as Q4 2026, will combine Pixxel’s hyperspectral imaging payload with onboard AI compute provided by Sarvam AI.

💡The system is designed to process Earth observation data in orbit using GPU-based computing, reducing reliance on ground processing and enabling near real-time analysis for applications such as environmental monitoring and infrastructure tracking.

Japan

A Japanese startup, Space Entry Co., is preparing to send a spherical space robot inspired by the anime Mobile Suit Gundam to the International Space Station (ISS) as early as spring next year. The 21 cm device, named “Everyone’s Haro,” is designed to test autonomous movement, communication, and interaction in microgravity conditions.

Once aboard the ISS’s Kibo module, the aluminum robot will use propeller-based propulsion to move in all directions, while onboard sensors, a camera, microphone, and LED indicators will support navigation and communication with astronauts.

💡The project aims to evaluate how small autonomous systems could operate in space and support future robotic applications.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

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Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: AirTrunk Commits $3B To Johor Data Center Expansion; Malaysia Launches First Tokenized Sukuk Issuance; DPS Partners Alibaba Affiliate For $1.1B AI Data Center In Melaka; Philippines And Singapore Seal First Carbon Credit Deal; MAS Paves Way For Dual Listings With SGX–Nasdaq Framework; TechX Ventures Signs Global Security AI Partnerships At MTX 2026; Featherless.ai Raises $20M To Scale Open-Source AI Infrastructure; Cube Secures $3.7M To Expand AI Commerce Data Platform; and Vietnam Approves $1B Singapore-Backed Hyperscale Data Centers

Environmental Sustainability: Australia Environmental Standards Face Criticism Over Weaker Biodiversity Safeguards; Japan Launches AI-Based Carbon Credit System For Cooling Efficiency; Malaysia Links Vendor Financing To Energy Transition Under Petronas Program; Singapore Assesses Geothermal Energy Potential In National Decarbonization Push; and UK-Backed $1.5B Climate Platform Targets Asia’s Coal-Heavy Economies

Aviation: Australia Tightens Fuel Buffers As Aviation Supply Pressures Persist; China Clears Sinopec Full Control Of Jet Fuel Group Under Competition Review; Japan Tests Humanoid Robots For Airport Ground Operations Amid Labour Shortages; Greater China Aviation Authorities Deepen Cooperation On Aircraft Certification And Fuel Standards; New Zealand Accelerates Aviation Rule Reform To Unlock Drone And Training Modernization; and Thailand Imposes Stricter Airline Cancellation And Refund Rules To Strengthen Passenger Protection

Advanced Air Mobility: China, Latin America See First Piloted eVTOL Flights As EHang Expands Regulatory Pathways; Volant Aerotech Raises $300M To Scale Flying Taxi Production; China Tests Fully Autonomous Cargo Aircraft With 2,360 km Range; India Builds National eVTOL Infrastructure Network For Air Taxi Rollout; and Southeast Asia Expands AAM Use Cases Into Medical Air Mobility

Marine: Shipping Sector Accelerates Green Fuel Adoption And Fleet Expansion Across Asia; PSA Deepens China Port Investment To Strengthen Logistics Connectivity; South Korea Aligns Shipbuilding And Shipping Under National W.A.V.E Strategy; Hanwha Moves To Expand Defence Manufacturing Footprint In Canada; AI And Autonomy Partnerships Reshape Vessel Navigation And Efficiency; and OOCL Ordered To Pay Record $45.6M In US Shipping Act Case

Space: Australia Debates Space Agency Role Amid Sector Funding Pressure; Australia Advances Space Medicine AI For Deep-Space Applications; China Expands Rocket Manufacturing Capacity With New “Super Factory”; India-US Mission Launches Dual-Sensor Earth Observation Satellite; and Japan Tests Lunar-Gravity Food Production With Space Sake Experiment

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Financing & Investments

Southeast Asia is seeing coordinated growth in data center capacity and AI infrastructure alongside early-stage development of tokenized finance and carbon markets. Much of this activity is being shaped by cross-border partnerships between local regulators, sovereign funds, and international technology and investment firms.

Australia-Malaysia

AirTrunk plans to invest MYR12 billion ($3 billion) to develop two new data centers, JHB3 and JHB4, in Johor, Malaysia, expanding its footprint in Southeast Asia. Located in Iskandar Puteri, the facilities will deliver more than 280MW of combined IT load and sit near its existing JHB1 and JHB2 campuses, bringing total capacity in Malaysia to over 700MW and cumulative investment to about MYR27 billion.

💡The new campuses will support high-density cloud and AI workloads with energy-efficient designs and cooling systems using recycled water.


Malaysia

Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Securities Commission Malaysia have priced Malaysia’s first tokenized sukuk, with a nominal value of MYR100 million, marking the country’s initial issuance of a digitally represented Islamic bond using distributed ledger technology. The issuance is part of the Sukuk Danum Program under a broader MYR20 billion Islamic medium-term notes framework and is structured on a Wakalah bi al-Istithmar basis.

💡The pilot uses tokenization to create a secure digital “twin” of the sukuk, aimed at improving transparency, efficiency and market accessibility. Regulators and issuers described the transaction as a controlled test of digital capital market infrastructure involving institutional participants, including banks and pension funds, to assess readiness for broader adoption of tokenized instruments in Malaysia’s bond and sukuk market.


Malaysia-China

DPS Resources Bhd said its unit DPS Energy Sdn Bhd has signed an MoU with Hangzhou Xinfengwei Network Technology Co., Ltd., a firm affiliated with Alibaba Group Holding Limited, to explore developing artificial general intelligence data center infrastructure in Melaka, Malaysia. The proposed project could reach about $1.1 billion based on an initial capacity of 150MW to 180MW, with DPS providing land, power and regulatory oversight, while Xinfengwei supports demand generation, operations and market development.

💡The non-binding agreement will see both parties assess commercial and technical aspects ahead of potential definitive deals.


Philippines-Singapore

Singapore and Philippines have signed a legally binding agreement to collaborate on carbon credit projects under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, marking the Philippines’ first such deal. The implementation agreement sets a framework for generating and transferring carbon credits from emissions-reduction projects aligned with international rules, with further details on project authorization and methodologies to be issued later.

💡The pact enables developers to access a formal mechanism to produce high-quality credits, aiming to channel climate finance into the Philippines while supporting regional carbon market development.


Singapore

Monetary Authority of Singapore has issued its response to a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Securities and Futures Act 2001 to facilitate dual listings on Singapore Exchange. The framework will support the planned Global Listing Board, a joint initiative between SGX and Nasdaq, and aims to streamline IPO processes for companies seeking concurrent listings.

💡The proposals allow issuers to use a single set of offering documents for both exchanges and conduct pre-marketing with accredited and institutional investors in Singapore before filing a preliminary prospectus. They also introduce safe harbor provisions covering forward-looking disclosures, share buybacks and pre-determined trades, while incorporating feedback to further align regulatory requirements and facilitate post-listing activities.

Singapore

TechX Ventures announced multiple international agreements at the Milipol TechX Summit 2026 (MTX 2026), held April 28–30 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore, including a joint collaboration programme with the Korea Institute of Police Technology (KIPoT) and memorandums of understanding with the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME), the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and the UC Berkeley Institute for Security & Governance. The partnerships are aimed at strengthening cross-border cooperation in public safety innovation, startup development, and the deployment of AI-enabled security, policing, and emergency response technologies.

TechX Ventures, an arm of Singapore’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) and a co-organizer of MTX 2026 alongside Civipol and Comexposium, played a central role in the event’s SPINN District under its Hatch programme.

💡The startup-focused zone brought together innovators from across Asia, including Hatch alumni and Dimension X participants, to showcase emerging public safety technologies and engage with government and industry stakeholders at one of Asia-Pacific’s largest security and public safety conferences.

Singapore

Featherless.ai has raised $20 million in a Series A round co-led by AMD Ventures and Airbus Ventures, with participation from BMW i Ventures, Kickstart Ventures, Panache Ventures and Wavemaker Ventures. The Singapore co-founded firm provides infrastructure for deploying open-source AI models and will use the funds to expand global capacity, launch a marketplace for specialised models and deepen integration across hardware platforms to lower inference costs.

💡The company supports more than 30,000 open models across language, vision and audio, positioning itself as a neutral layer independent of major cloud or hardware providers.

Thailand

Cube has raised $3.7 million in a Series A round led by Betatron Venture Partners, with participation from M Venture Partners and other investors. The Thailand-based firm said the funding will support investment in AI-enabled data enrichment technology, international expansion and growth with enterprise customers.

💡Founded in 2022, Cube provides digital commerce market data and insights, with operations across Southeast Asia and expansion into North Asia and Latin America.

Vietnam-Singapore

Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have granted investment registration certificates for several projects, including two hyperscale data centers with a combined capital of nearly $1 billion, both involving Singapore-linked investors. The largest is Evolution DC VN HCMC, a $508.8 million facility with 52MW capacity focused on cloud computing, artificial intelligence and big data, backed by a consortium of Singapore firms Hathor, Frontier and Evolution.

💡A second hyperscale project, Starmason, carries $480.26 million in capital and a 60MW capacity, developed through a joint venture between Sembcorp Development and Vietnam’s BB Holdings.

Environmental Sustainability

Climate and environmental policy is increasingly being tied to financial instruments and infrastructure planning, with new mechanisms for carbon pricing, transition financing, and energy system development emerging across multiple markets. At the same time, there is ongoing tension between regulatory flexibility and the strength of environmental safeguards.

Australia

Green groups have accused the government of weakening proposed national environmental standards intended to protect threatened species and ecosystems under Australia’s nature law reforms. The draft standards, part of legislation passed in November, set out rules for developments affecting matters of national environmental significance, including endangered species, heritage areas and the Great Barrier Reef.

💡Under the revised draft, developers would be deemed compliant if they follow specified assessment processes or principles, rather than being required to demonstrate that environmental outcomes will be achieved. Conservation groups including the Wilderness Society and WWF-Australia said the changes shift the framework away from outcome-based protections recommended in the Samuel review, arguing they reduce enforceability and weaken safeguards for biodiversity.


Japan

Linkhola has launched a carbon credit methodology under its Earthstory platform to quantify emissions reductions from AI-controlled cooling systems. The approach allows energy savings from AI-optimised air conditioning in buildings to be measured and converted into tradable carbon credits, targeting a gap in voluntary carbon markets where software-driven efficiency gains have been difficult to standardise.

💡The methodology compares electricity use before and after AI deployment across building types, including offices and industrial facilities, and incorporates digital monitoring and verification tools. Linkhola said the framework is designed for global use, particularly in Asia where cooling demand is rising, and aims to align with emerging carbon market integrity standards as scrutiny of voluntary credits increases.


Malaysia

RHB Bank Berhad has signed an MOU with Petroliam Nasional Berhad to launch a sustainable vendor financing program (SVFP) under the Petronas Supplier Support Program. The initiative targets Malaysian oil and gas services and equipment vendors, particularly SMEs, to support adaptation to energy transition requirements while maintaining competitiveness and resilience, in line with the national energy transition roadmap.

💡The collaboration aims to enable a just and orderly transition by aligning financing with vendors’ capabilities, while supporting emissions reduction, energy security and long-term sector competitiveness.

Singapore

The Energy Market Authority has issued a request for proposal for a study on the feasibility of deploying geothermal energy systems in Singapore. The study will assess the technical, environmental and commercial viability of next-generation geothermal technologies as part of efforts to strengthen energy resilience and decarbonize the power sector.

💡The appointed consultant will identify potential sites, recommend policy frameworks and outline areas for further study, building on a nationwide geophysical survey launched in 2024. The work is intended to provide a basis for future decisions on geothermal deployment, with the consultant expected to be appointed in 2026.

UK-Asia

British International Investment has launched a $1.5 billion climate initiative for Asia under a new platform called British Climate Partners (BCP), aimed at accelerating emissions reductions in coal-reliant economies. The program will target markets including India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, where energy transition financing needs remain substantial.

💡The initiative will mobilize private capital alongside BII through equity platforms and mezzanine financing to scale climate projects and reduce early-stage investment risk. BII said the effort is designed to crowd in commercial investors and expand climate finance deployment, with a broader strategy that increases its share of climate-related investments and focuses more heavily on frontier and high-impact markets.

Aviation

Aviation systems are being reshaped by a mix of operational pressures and regulatory change, with governments focusing on supply security, automation, and cross-border standardisation. At the same time, passenger rights and efficiency reforms are being tightened as airlines and regulators adapt to labour constraints and rising travel demand.

Australia

Australia has strengthened its fuel reserves amid global supply uncertainty, with Energy Minister Chris Bowen saying the country currently holds about 43 days of petrol, 33 days of diesel, and 28 days of jet fuel. He said 56 fuel shipments are en route and around 4 billion litres have been contracted for delivery, while Western Australia has separately secured 12 million litres of diesel for regional stockpiles in Wyndham, Kwinana, and Esperance.

💡Bowen said Australia is “very well placed” to manage near-term disruptions despite ongoing pressure on global supply chains linked to Middle East tensions and constrained shipping routes. Authorities are monitoring conditions under the National Fuel Security Plan, while aviation fuel tightness has already contributed to operational adjustments by airlines, including network changes and flight reductions in parts of the region.

Australia-China

China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec) has received clearance from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to acquire full ownership of China National Aviation Fuel Group Limited (CNAF). The regulator assessed the proposed transaction under Phase 1 and found that the acquisition is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in any market. According to the ACCC’s determination, the combined market share from the merger would be low, estimated at under ten percent.

💡The two state-owned Chinese companies overlap in jet fuel production and supply within Australia. However, the ACCC concluded that the merged entity would continue to face sufficient competition from other fuel suppliers operating in the country, including Ampol, Viva Energy, Caltex, and BP.


Japan

JAL Ground Service and GMO AI & Robotics Corporation will begin a demonstration experiment in May 2026 to test humanoid robots for airport ground handling operations. The project focuses on using human-shaped robots to operate within existing airport environments without major infrastructure changes, addressing labour shortages in baggage handling, cabin cleaning and ground support equipment operations.

💡The trial will proceed in phases, starting with workflow analysis at airports followed by simulated operational testing to assess safety and efficiency. The companies aim to evaluate whether humanoid robots can reduce workload and supplement human staff amid rising travel demand and a shrinking workforce, with GMO AI & Robotics providing robot systems and JAL Ground Service supplying operational capabilities and safety standards.

Mainland China-Hong Kong-Macao

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) of Hong Kong, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao (AACM) have signed four cooperation arrangements. The agreements cover mutual acceptance of type certificates, joint certification work for the C929 aircraft, joint maintenance management, and airworthiness oversight of aviation fuels and chemicals.

💡The framework expands existing mutual recognition mechanisms for airworthiness, maintenance, and training approvals, and extends cooperation to include aircraft type certification for conventional and unmanned systems. Authorities said the arrangements will also support continued joint certification work on the C929 programme, building on prior collaboration for the C919 aircraft.

New Zealand

New Zealand has launched a two-year programme to modernise its civil aviation rules, compressing 20 years of planned changes into a streamlined process, Associate Transport Minister James Meager announced. The initiative aims to remove growth barriers, enhance safety and security, and align domestic rules with international standards, including addressing issues raised in International Civil Aviation 💡Organization audits.

💡The 23-project programme includes better enabling agricultural drone use, modernising pilot training and licensing, updating security rules to reduce costs for regional airports, and recognising overseas approvals for aircraft maintenance providers. The New Zealand Airports Association backed the move, citing long-standing issues around runway safety and infrastructure investment


Thailand

Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority and the Consumer Protection Board have agreed on stricter rules for flight cancellations, requiring airlines to notify passengers seven days in advance for international flights and three days for domestic flights, except in force majeure cases. Cash refunds must be processed within 14 days, credit card refunds within 45 days, and online travel agency refunds within 60 days; alternative travel or credit shells must be arranged within seven days of receiving documentation.

💡Airlines must also provide effective passenger contact channels, and travelers may seek compensation for consequential damages such as accommodation or car hire. Further discussions with carriers are set for May 5, to improve communication and complaint handling. Passengers can file complaints via CAAT’s website.

Advanced Air Mobility

Advanced air mobility is moving from demonstration to early infrastructure build-out, with China and other markets focusing on certification and aircraft development while India begins linking energy and transport networks for future air taxi operations. Use cases are also broadening into logistics and emergency services, suggesting parallel progress in both passenger and cargo applications.

China

EHang has completed the first people-carrying flights of its EH216-S pilotless eVTOL aircraft in Mexico and Latin America. The flights were conducted at Tulum International Airport by local operator Air Mobility during the Feria Aeroespacial México (FAMEX) Tulum Air Show 2026, demonstrating passenger-carrying operations in an airport environment.

💡The demonstrations build on earlier EH216-S trial flights in Mexico in 2025 under a Special Airworthiness Certificate issued by AFAC, which established a regulatory framework for uncrewed passenger operations. The latest flights support potential use cases including aerial tourism and airport shuttle services, and form part of ongoing efforts to advance certification and commercial deployment of the aircraft in Mexico.

China

Volant Aerotech has raised $300 million in a Series C funding round led by UAE-based Stone Venture, marking a record financing for a Chinese flying taxi developer. Shanghai-based Volant said the round also included participation from HongShan Capital Group, Fortera Capital, Future Capital, and Legend Capital.

💡The company said the funds will support airworthiness certification and mass production of its first commercial electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the VE25-100, as well as development of next-generation platforms. Volant, founded in 2021, has now raised more than CNY4 billion ($586 million) across multiple funding rounds and reports over 1,900 preorders for the aircraft, including more than 500 overseas orders.

China

China’s HH-200 uncrewed transport aircraft completed its maiden flight on April 15 in Weinan, Shaanxi province, following a 22-minute test that met all planned objectives, according to state media reports and Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). Chief designer Dong Jianhong said the aircraft is a fully autonomous system rather than a remotely piloted platform, with its certification targeted for 2027 and potential entry into commercial service later that year.

The HH-200 features a cockpitless design with a maximum payload of 1.5 tonnes, up to 2,360 km range, and a cruising speed of 310 km/h. It is designed for cargo logistics applications including border and coastal transport, regional freight routes, and cross-border operations, with additional potential use cases in emergency response and remote sensing.

💡The aircraft incorporates autonomous navigation systems, multiple safety protocols, and emergency response functions intended to support operations in complex weather and operating environments.

India

India’s Jio-bp and VJaitra Air Mobility have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a nationwide infrastructure network for electric and hydrogen-powered air taxis. The collaboration will focus on integrating charging and hydrogen refuelling systems across next-generation vertiports to support VJaitra’s planned eVTOL fleet on urban and intercity routes.

💡Under the agreement, Jio-bp will design and deploy charging infrastructure and develop aviation-grade green hydrogen production and distribution capabilities. The partners plan to establish vertiports at Jio-bp fuel station sites along highways and urban corridors, enabling passenger handling, aircraft charging and refuelling, and integration with road-based transport systems for multimodal mobility.

India-Malaysia

eVTOL developer Dragale Aviation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Malaysia’s Aerospace Medical Concierge Alliance (A.M.C.A). The partnership aims to explore AAM applications in medical operations across Southeast Asia.

💡The collaboration will focus on developing eVTOL-based air medical networks, integrated aviation-enabled healthcare systems, and emergency response infrastructure.

Marine

Marine developments are increasingly centered on decarbonization, digitalization, and industrial consolidation, with green fuels, autonomous systems, and port investments advancing alongside state-led coordination in major shipbuilding economies. At the same time, regulatory enforcement in global shipping is intensifying amid post-pandemic contract disputes and capacity pressures.

Hong Kong-Mainland China

Venture Energy has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with Shanghai Shenji Energy & Environmental Technology to expand cooperation from spot trading into a broader green marine fuel supply partnership. The agreement, signed in Shanghai, establishes a hybrid framework combining short-term market supply with longer-term offtake commitments.

The collaboration will focus initially on green methanol, with plans to scale procurement from 2026, alongside trial bunkering, trading platform development and vessel technical services. The companies said the partnership aims to improve access to low-carbon fuels for shipping customers as international maritime decarbonisation regulations tighten.

Singapore

Yangzijiang Maritime Development, listed in Singapore, has ordered 10 new vessels, expanding its forward fleet across both tanker and bulk carrier segments. The company said it has signed contracts with Chinese shipyards for four 114,000 dwt product/crude tankers, four 49,800 dwt product and chemical tankers, and two 40,000 dwt bulk carriers, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2029.

The latest order brings its total fleet to 105 vessels, including 53 on order. The 49,800 dwt tankers will be methanol-ready and all ships will comply with EEDI Phase 3 requirements.


Singapore-China

PSA International has secured an investment in the Xiamen Container Terminal Group in China’s Fujian province, which operates eight container terminals with a combined annual capacity of about 20 million TEUs. The deal was awarded through a public bidding process and forms part of PSA’s continued expansion in the region.

The investment also includes additional funding in the Xiamen Port Intermodal Logistics Hub to strengthen port, supply chain and inland transport connectivity. PSA said the move reinforces its long-term presence in Fujian, alongside its existing operations in Xiamen and Fuzhou, and supports efforts to build more integrated logistics networks along China’s southeast coast.

South Korea

South Korea has launched a Shipbuilding-Shipping Mutual Development Strategy Council to better integrate its shipbuilding and shipping sectors under a unified national framework. The initiative, unveiled in Seoul on 28 April, brings together government ministries, major shipbuilders including HD Hyundai, Samsung Heavy Industries and Hanwha, as well as shipping companies such as HMM and Pan Ocean. It will operate under the W.A.V.E. strategy, which targets coordinated development across vessel technology, industry cooperation, fleet expansion, and ecosystem building.

💡As part of the launch, industry players signed a memorandum of understanding on LNG transportation cooperation, while the government announced a 600 billion won ($407 million) programme to develop AI-based autonomous vessel technology.



South Korea-Canada

South Korea’s Hanwha Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA), pledging to build armoured vehicles in Canada if it secures a multi-billion-dollar submarine contract with the federal government. The proposal is part of Hanwha’s broader bid to supply submarines and defence systems while expanding Canada’s domestic defence manufacturing capacity.

💡Under the agreement, Hanwha and APMA would establish a Canadian automotive defence unit to produce military vehicles, including infantry fighting vehicles and other armoured platforms, using local labour and supply chains. The company says the initiative could support major job creation and retool idle automotive plants, positioning Canadian production as central to its industrial strategy alongside competitors in the submarine procurement process.

UK-South Korea

Orca AI has entered a strategic partnership with South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) to deploy autonomous vessel technologies across newbuilds and retrofit projects. Under the agreement, SHI will integrate Orca AI’s situational awareness platform into vessels using its Samsung Autonomous Ship (SAS) system, while Orca AI will incorporate SHI technologies including SVISION berthing assistance and autonomous speed control into its platform. The companies will jointly develop integrated solutions for navigation, berthing, and speed optimisation.

💡The collaboration also includes joint research and operational data sharing to improve real-time navigation, decision-making, and fuel efficiency.



USA-Hong Kong

A US administrative law judge has ordered Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) to pay $45.6 million in reparations to the bankruptcy estate of Bed Bath & Beyond, in a ruling that found the carrier violated provisions of the US Shipping Act during the Covid-era freight market disruption. The decision concluded that OOCL failed to meet contracted space commitments and engaged in retaliatory conduct after disputes arose over service performance.

The ruling found that OOCL, a Hong Kong subsidiary of COSCO Shipping Holdings, provided lower-than-contracted capacity during 2020–2022, when global shipping demand surged and spot rates increased significantly. The judge determined the carrier did not make sufficient efforts to meet its contractual obligations, while rejecting portions of the $165 million claim submitted by the bankruptcy estate.

💡The decision, which remains subject to review by the Federal Maritime Commission, is the largest reparations award issued by the agency to date.

Space

Space activity is increasingly split between scaling industrial launch capacity, advancing Earth observation capabilities, and developing life-support technologies for long-duration missions. Public-private partnerships and international collaboration remain central, particularly in Earth monitoring and early-stage experimentation for space habitation systems.

Australia

Industry representatives have called for an overhaul of the Australian Space Agency rather than further funding cuts, amid concerns over a potential 70% cumulative reduction in its budget ahead of Federal Budget 2026. The Space Industry Association of Australia said the agency remains central to developing the country’s space sector, which is estimated to employ tens of thousands of people and generate billions in annual turnover.

💡Industry figures argue the agency has supported early-stage projects and helped establish Australia’s credibility in the global space market, but say its coordination role across government could be strengthened. Some companies have raised concerns about limited direct support, while others point to its role in enabling launch approvals and regulatory progress for emerging firms such as Gilmour Space Technologies.


Australia

Aexa Aerospace and SpacePort Australia have formed a joint venture called the Hamilton Project to develop and train a medical artificial intelligence system designed for use in spacecraft and space station environments. The initiative aims to support diagnosis and treatment of crew members operating in resource-limited conditions, including future deep-space missions and space tourism.

💡The project combines Aexa Aerospace’s holographic medical systems, which have been tested aboard the International Space Station, with SpacePort Australia’s clinical and rural healthcare capabilities. The partners say the system will draw on remote medicine practices to build an AI model capable of assisting autonomous medical decision-making in space and other isolated environments.


China

Chinese private aerospace company CAS Space Co has completed a “super factory” in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province,designed to produce up to 12 Kinetica-2 liquid-propellant rockets annually at full capacity. The facility integrates assembly, testing and core component manufacturing, including propellant tanks, valves and structural sections, and follows the rocket’s successful maiden flight on March 30 carrying multiple payloads into orbit.

💡The company said the plant uses modular design and parallel assembly lines to shorten production cycles and increase launch flexibility, with full capacity expected within three to five years.

India-USA

Indian space-tech startup GalaxEye has launched “Drishti,” a satellite it describes as the world’s first OptoSAR system combining optical and radar imaging to capture high-resolution Earth observation data in real time regardless of weather conditions. The 190 kg satellite was launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in the United States as part of the CAS500-2 mission.

💡The Bengaluru-based firm said Drishti integrates synthetic aperture radar with optical sensors to enable simultaneous imaging of the same location, aimed at improving accuracy over traditional dual-satellite approaches. The satellite is designed for applications including defence, agriculture, disaster response, maritime monitoring and infrastructure planning.


Japan

DASSAI Inc. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have completed the first mission of the “DASSAI MOON Project,” aimed at testing sake production under lunar-gravity conditions. Brewing equipment and raw materials were sent to the International Space Station and used in experiments aboard the Japanese “Kibo” module under simulated lunar gravity, where fermentation was successfully confirmed.

💡The mash was later returned to Earth and refined into sake at DASSAI’s brewery, producing about 116ml of finished product, including a limited titanium-bottled edition. The companies said the results show alcohol fermentation is feasible in reduced gravity, while also indicating slower fermentation rates compared with Earth, as part of broader research into future space-based food production systems.


USA-India

A new analysis from the NISAR mission has mapped ground subsidence in Mexico City, showing parts of the capital sinking by more than 2 centimetres per month. The satellite, jointly developed by India and the United States, uses dual-frequency radar to track subtle changes in Earth’s surface through clouds and vegetation.

💡Mexico City, home to around 20 million people and built on a depleted aquifer, has long experienced land subsidence driven by groundwater extraction and urban weight. The latest data highlights areas of rapid sinking across the city, including zones near key infrastructure such as the airport.

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**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: Cape EMS Launches GrandCape JV; Salmon Group Raises $100M To Scale Consumer Finance; PwC Invests S$4M In Trade Advisory Hub; Thunes Expands Real-Time Pay-To-Bank Services Into NZ; OCBC, Lion Global And DigiFT Launch Tokenized Physical Gold Fund On Blockchain; Nium Integrates USDC Stablecoin Payments Via Coinbase Partnership; Taiwan Approves Foreign Currency Dividend Payouts For Listed Companies; Taiwan Develops Financial-Sector LLM With Regulators; and Vietnam, South Korea Launch Cross-Border QR Payment System

Environmental Sustainability: ARC Hub for Solar Panel Recycling Launches At UNSW With $5M Funding For Circular PV Materials Recovery; Hong Kong Expands AI-Driven Environmental Impact Assessments; India Approves Small Hydropower Scheme; Japan And Sri Lanka Launch Climate-Smart Dairy And Community Recovery Projects; and Thailand Pilots AI-Based Fertiliser System To Enable Precision Agriculture

Aviation: dnata Builds Western Sydney Cargo Hub; Canada China Expand Air Services; Cathay Raises HK$2.08B Bond; India Adds SAF to Fuel Rules; Japan Airlines Raises Fuel Surcharges; and Glenorchy Air Launches Charter Brand

Advanced Air Mobility: EHang Draws Serbia Interest; SkyDrive Gains Key Regulatory Approval; SkyDrive Plans Highway eVTOL Hubs; and Airbility Launches ASEAN Drone Training

Marine: China Launches Electric Container Ship; Hong Kong Flags OTC Drug Water Pollution; Singapore Pushes Maritime Digitalisation and Decarbonisation; Singapore Funds Robotic Hull Cleaning Trials; Singapore Partners UNCTAD on Green Shipping; Singapore Tests Autonomous Feeder Vessels; Singapore Launches OCEANS-X Platform; and Neptune Robotics Expands in Singapore

Space: Australia Builds Disaster Comms Satellite System; China Sets Commercial Space Standards; Chinese Startup Funds Space Computing Network; India Plans University Space Labs; Japan Readies Martian Moons Mission; and Rocket Lab Launches Japanese Satellites

Financing & Investments

Financial and trade systems are increasingly being modernized through tokenization of assets, stablecoin-based settlement, AI-enabled financial tools, and regulatory adjustments that streamline cross-border payments, investment processes, and market operations while improving efficiency for institutions and investors.

Malaysia

Cape EMS Berhad has established GrandCape (M) Sdn Bhd through a joint venture with New Grand Tech (HK) Limitedto expand into advanced interconnect engineering for electric vehicles, artificial intelligence infrastructure and energy systems. The move is part of Cape EMS’s CEB 2.0 strategy to transition from a traditional assembly provider into an engineering-focused system integrator. GrandCape will serve as a manufacturing and engineering platform for flexible flat cables, high-density interconnects and solutions supporting AI data centres and battery energy storage systems.

💡The new entity is already operational at a facility in Johor, producing interconnect components designed for high-performance digital infrastructure and energy applications.


Philippines

Salmon Group has raised $100 million in a combined financing round to support its expansion in the Philippines consumer finance market. The package includes $60 million in equity led by US-based investors and $40 million in bond issuance under its existing Nordic bond programme, aimed at strengthening its lending capacity and overall balance sheet.

💡The funds will be used to expand product offerings, grow distribution channels, and increase capitalization of Salmon Bank, which operates under Philippine regulatory licences.

Singapore

PwC Singapore has announced a S$4 million investment over three years to set up a Trade Advisory Hub focused on supporting businesses navigating global trade conditions. Backed by the Singapore Economic Development Board, the hub will provide advisory services to companies in Singapore and the wider region on supply chains, regulatory changes and international growth strategies, with a focus on improving decision-making in a complex trade environment.

💡It will also support capability-building in trade and geopolitical risk analysis, with the aim of strengthening Singapore’s role as a regional centre for trade advisory and related professional services.

Singapore-New Zealand

Thunes has expanded its Direct Global Network by launching real-time Pay-to-Bank services into New Zealand, enabling direct transfers in NZD to local bank accounts.

💡The service supports both consumer and business payments through API integration or existing SWIFT connectivity, strengthening the company’s cross-border payment capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.

Singapore-Southeast Asia

OCBC Bank, together with Lion Global Investors and digital asset exchange DigiFT, has launched the OCBC-LionGlobal Physical Gold Fund Token, billed as Southeast Asia’s first tokenized physical gold fund on a public blockchain. The GOLDX token is issued on the Ethereum and Solana networks, allowing institutional and accredited investors to subscribe using stablecoins or fiat currency via the DigiFT platform. Tokens are delivered to investors’ blockchain wallets and can be redeemed for stablecoins or fiat, providing on-chain exposure to the LionGlobal Singapore Physical Gold Fund.

💡The product operates within a regulated framework supported by entities overseen by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The underlying fund has recorded S$669.4 million in assets under management within months of launch, amid rising demand for tokenized real-world assets. The initiative targets institutional and Web3 investors, including family offices and high-net-worth individuals.

Singapore-USA

Nium has integrated USDC stablecoin payments through a partnership with Coinbase. The integration enables clients to send, receive and convert USDC into fiat currencies, with Coinbase providing custody, wallet and liquidity infrastructure. The service is now available across Nium’s platform.

💡The arrangement allows transactions across both blockchain and traditional payment systems within a single setup. It supports cross-border payouts and liquidity management for businesses operating in multiple markets, using Nium’s existing global regulatory and payments network.

Taiwan

Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission has announced that publicly listed companies will be allowed to distribute cash dividends in foreign currencies starting as early as next year. The move is intended to reduce currency conversion costs for foreign investors and align local market practices with international standards, given the high share of foreign ownership in Taiwan equities.

💡The policy will apply to foreign shareholders of companies listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, Taipei Exchange and the emerging stock market. It is designed to streamline dividend payments, improve efficiency for custodians, and enhance the overall investment environment as Taiwan’s equity market continues to rank among the largest globally.


Taiwan

Taiwan has launched a project to develop a large language model for the financial sector, involving 16 financial institutions under the Taiwan FinTech Alliance. The initiative, led by CTBC Financial Holding and overseen by the Financial Supervisory Commission, aims to build AI systems tailored to local regulatory requirements and market practices, rather than relying on overseas platforms.

💡The model will be based on open-source technology and trained using financial sector data, regulatory materials and datasets from Taiwan’s digital infrastructure. Initial development will focus on banking, with plans to expand into insurance and securities. A prototype is expected later this year.

Vietnam-South Korea

Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam, Vietnam National Payment Corporation, KEB Hana Bank and GLN International have launched a cross-border QR code payment service linking Vietnam and South Korea. The system enables users in both countries to make retail payments using domestic banking apps and e-wallets by scanning QR codes, supporting cashless transactions and easier cross-border spending.

💡The network is operated through NAPAS’s VIETQRGlobal system in Vietnam, while GLN International connects South Korean banks and apps. BIDV and Hana Bank act as clearing banks to process transactions between the two markets. The initiative is intended to support tourism, trade and payment interoperability.

Environmental Sustainability

Focus is shifting toward managing renewable energy waste, improving environmental planning with digital tools, expanding small-scale clean energy projects, and using AI to make agriculture and resource use more efficient.

Australia

Australia has launched the ARC Hub for Photovoltaic Solar Panel Recycling and Sustainability at the University of New South Wales, backed by $5 million in government funding. The initiative focuses on developing recycling technologies for end-of-life solar panels as Australia prepares for rising volumes of solar waste in the coming decade.

💡The research program is aimed at improving material recovery from panels, including glass, silicon, silver and copper, and supporting the development of processes that could enable more circular use of solar materials over time.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s government has reiterated the importance of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in infrastructure planning, while highlighting increased use of digital tools to improve efficiency. In a legislative update, the Environmental Protection Department said regulatory reforms and a data-driven assessment platform are helping project planners identify environmental risks earlier and streamline approval processes without reducing statutory protections.

💡The department’s Hong Kong Environmental Database integrates AI and geographic information systems to support early-stage project planning through shared environmental data and analysis tools. Officials said recent amendments to the Environmental Impact Assessment framework have also simplified procedures and enabled more targeted assessments, with the aim of reducing delays and improving cost efficiency while maintaining oversight of air, water, noise and ecological impacts.

India

India has approved the Small Hydropower Development Scheme to expand decentralised renewable energy capacity, targeting about 1,500 MW of new generation between FY2026–27 and FY2030–31. The programme, cleared by the Union Cabinet and outlined by the Press Information Bureau, has an outlay of INR 2,584.6 crore and focuses on developing projects in mountainous and north-eastern regions with strong untapped river resources.

Small hydropower projects of up to 25 MW will receive targeted financial support, with higher assistance allocated to border and north-eastern states. The scheme also funds project preparation to strengthen the pipeline of developments and is expected to attract broader investment into the sector.


Japan-Sri Lanka

The Government of Japan has announced two new development projects in Sri Lanka under its Japanese Supplementary Budget, in collaboration with the Government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations Development Programme.

💡The first project will establish climate-smart dairy value chains to improve productivity, reduce emissions, and support smallholder farmers, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions. The second project aims to strengthen the role and capabilities of women deminers in the Northern and Eastern provinces, using improved tools and training to enhance land clearance and support resettlement and livelihoods in areas affected by past conflict and disasters.

Thailand

Thailand has launched a pilot programme to use data and artificial intelligence to create customised fertiliser formulas for individual farms, aiming to reduce costs and improve soil management. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, was introduced in Udon Thani and uses soil data and digital tools to calculate tailored nutrient mixes for different plots of land.

💡The system, developed by the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, supports fertiliser blending through agricultural cooperatives and is being tested across several provinces with thousands of participating farmers. Officials said early trials indicate potential reductions in fertiliser costs while maintaining crop productivity, as the model shifts from uniform application to precision-based nutrient management using AI-driven recommendations.

Aviation

Aviation is adjusting capacity and pricing while expanding connectivity and gradually integrating sustainable fuels into regulated operations.

Australia

dnata will invest about A$32 million to develop a dedicated cargo terminal at Western Sydney International Airport. The operation will be based in a 5,000 sqm warehouse within the airport’s 24-hour cargo precinct, supported by additional land and fitted out by dnata with handling systems and operational infrastructure. A portion of the investment is allocated to equipment and technology intended to support scalable cargo processing, including temperature-sensitive and high-value shipments.

💡The facility is expected to begin freighter operations in 2026 and ultimately handle up to 60,000 tonnes of cargo annually.

Canada-China

Canada has approved an expansion of air services with China, allowing airlines from both countries to gradually increase passenger flights and operate up to 20 weekly cargo services as part of efforts to rebuild aviation links. The move follows recent high-level diplomatic engagement and is intended to support trade diversification and restore connectivity between the two markets, while still keeping capacity below pre-pandemic levels.

💡Industry data shows the Canada–China market has recovered steadily over the past year but remains significantly reduced compared with 2019. Officials say expanded air access is expected to improve passenger choice and strengthen freight and trade flows between the two countries.

Hong Kong

Cathay has completed pricing on its debut Hong Kong dollar public bond issuance, raising HK$2.08 billion through a three-year fixed-rate note. The transaction is positioned as the largest Hong Kong dollar public bond issued by a Hong Kong-based non-public sector company, and attracted broad participation from institutional investors including asset managers, banks, and private banking clients.

💡Proceeds are intended for general working capital purposes, and the bond sits under its existing medium-term note programme. Cathay also highlighted continued large-scale investment plans across its fleet, cabin products, lounges, and digital systems.

India

India has amended its aviation fuel regulations to include sustainable aviation fuel blended with conventional jet fuel under the existing Aviation Turbine Fuel control framework.

💡The update aligns SAF with national fuel standards and enables its regulated use in aviation while maintaining established safety and performance requirements. The change supports planned SAF blending targets for international flights later in the decade.

Japan

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways are raising international fuel surcharges for tickets booked in May and June, citing higher aviation fuel costs linked to geopolitical tensions. Both carriers will significantly increase charges on long-haul routes, including services to North America and Europe, with shorter regional routes to South Korea also seeing sharp increases.

💡The airlines are also adjusting their surcharge structures to allow higher ceilings and more pricing tiers, giving them greater flexibility to respond to fuel price volatility. In addition, they will shorten the reference period used to calculate surcharges so adjustments can reflect market changes more quickly, while setting near-term levels below the maximum allowed tiers in light of government support measures.

New Zealand

Glenorchy Air will launch a new private charter brand, Queenstown Air Charter, operating out of Queenstown International Airport from October 2026. The service will use a newly built Tecnam P2012 twin-engine aircraft, which is currently in production and will be introduced in New Zealand following regulatory certification earlier in the year.

💡The aircraft, configured for up to nine passengers, will support business, leisure, and scenic charter services across domestic routes. Operations will be run under Glenorchy Air, alongside its existing fleet, with planned coverage spanning key South Island destinations as well as selected North Island cities.

Advanced Air Mobility

Development is shifting toward regulatory readiness, infrastructure integration, and workforce preparation for emerging air mobility systems.

China-Serbia

A Serbian government delegation led by senior economic officials visited EHang’s headquarters in Guangzhou to examine developments in autonomous aerial mobility and low-altitude aviation systems.

💡Discussions focused on regulatory approaches, commercialization pathways for advanced air mobility, and potential areas of cooperation linked to upcoming international events. Both sides indicated interest in further engagement on emerging urban air transport systems and the broader development of low-altitude aviation ecosystems.

Japan

SkyDrive has become the first dedicated eVTOL developer in Japan to receive Approved Design Organization certification from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

💡The designation confirms that the company meets required standards for aircraft design oversight and post-design inspection systems, allowing it to carry out certain certification-related processes under regulatory delegation.

Japan

SkyDrive has signed a partnership with West Nippon Expressway Company to explore the use of expressway service and parking areas as hubs for future electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air mobility services in Japan. The study will assess the commercial viability of operating short-distance aerial transport and sightseeing flights from existing highway infrastructure, integrating aviation access points into the road network.

💡The collaboration will also examine wider applications such as regional economic development and disaster response support using eVTOL aircraft.

South Korea-Philippines-Singapore

Airbility, a South Korea–based high-speed eVTOL developer, has signed a three-party agreement with the Danao City Government in the Philippines and Singapore’s KILSA Global to launch a drone pilot training program in Cebu. The initiative focuses on building local workforce capacity for drone operations, alongside broader applications in public safety, logistics, and disaster response across ASEAN markets.

💡The program will combine training modules, certified instruction, and hands-on deployment of drone systems, with implementation planned in phased stages beginning with trainer development followed by operational rollout.

Marine

A series of announcements during Singapore Maritime Week 2026 highlights accelerating adoption of automation, digital systems, and decarbonisation technologies alongside broader moves toward electrified shipping and improved environmental monitoring.

China

A fully electric containership has entered service in China under Ningbo Ocean Shipping. The vessel, built through cooperation within China State Shipbuilding Corporation divisions and affiliated research institutes, is designed for short-sea feeder routes and operates between Ningbo-Zhoushan and Jiaxing.

With a capacity of 740 TEU and a length of about 128 meters, the ship is intended to demonstrate the application of large-scale battery propulsion in commercial container transport.The vessel is powered by a containerized battery system with an installed energy capacity of roughly 19,600 kWh, driving dual electric propulsion motors.

💡A sister ship is undergoing sea trials with delivery planned in the near term, forming part of a small initial fleet intended to validate electric propulsion for coastal shipping routes in China.

Hong Kong

A study from researchers at City University of Hong Kong has identified over-the-counter medicines as a major contributor to pharmaceutical pollution in Hong Kong’s river and estuary systems. The research found that common products such as painkillers, antihistamines and caffeine accounted for up to 85% of detected pharmaceutical contamination during the wet season, exceeding levels from prescription drugs.

💡The study, conducted with the Guangdong Research Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower, highlights the widespread and continuous presence of these compounds in aquatic environments due to high usage rates. It also notes that many of the substances meet criteria for persistent, mobile and toxic pollutants, with some identified as priority risks to sensitive marine species. The researchers suggest improved wastewater treatment, better stormwater management and clearer disposal guidance as key measures to reduce environmental impact.


Singapore

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the Singapore Maritime Institute have launched an updated Singapore Maritime Technology and Research Roadmap to advance innovation and strengthen capabilities across the maritime sector. The roadmap places greater emphasis on translating research into deployable solutions, with priorities including scaling digital technologies, enabling practical decarbonization, improving integration across port and shipping operations, and addressing constraints such as manpower and space limitations.

It outlines four focus areas: autonomous port operations, alternative energy delivery, smart ships, and integrated port services. The roadmap aims to align efforts across government, research institutions and industry to accelerate adoption and reduce implementation risks, while encouraging industry participation in co-development and pilot projects.

💡More than $100 million will be invested in research and development over the next five years, adding to over $500 million committed to maritime R&D in Singapore over the past two decades.

Singapore

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has awarded close to S$3.7 million in co-funding from its Maritime Innovation and Technology fund to six companies—Alicia Bots, C-Leanship, Neptune Robotics, Oceanis Robotics, RINAand SEAHI Robotics—to develop and trial in-water robotic hull inspection and cleaning solutions in Singapore’s port waters. The projects bring together technology providers, service operators, classification societies and shipowners to validate systems under real operating conditions, following a proposal exercise that drew 19 submissions from 36 companies across nine countries.

The initiative aims to improve efficiency and reduce emissions linked to marine biofouling, which increases drag and fuel consumption. Selected partners will focus on advancing automation, reliability and performance in complex and high-traffic port environments, addressing challenges such as operating in tight spaces, handling intricate hull structures and meeting environmental requirements.

💡Trials will be conducted in live port conditions to assess safety, cost-effectiveness and scalability, with development set to begin in the second half of 2026 over an 18-month period.

Singapore

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development to support maritime decarbonization and digitalization globally. The partnership combines UNCTAD’s trade mandate with Singapore’s experience as a port hub to promote adoption of alternative fuels and digital solutions across ports at different stages of development.

💡The agreement includes collaboration on knowledge sharing and best practices in areas such as sustainable finance and workforce development. It also covers capacity building and technical training for developing countries to strengthen maritime capabilities and improve port resilience.

Singapore

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and PSA Singapore have launched an expression of interest to invite proposals for autonomous inter-gateway container feeder vessel operations in the Port of Singapore. These vessels move containers between terminals such as Tuas and Pasir Panjang and are key to port operations, with the initiative aimed at improving efficiency, safety and reliability as traffic grows.

💡The exercise will assess the readiness and feasibility of autonomous systems, including the use of a remote operations center for real-time monitoring. Proposals must address areas such as navigation safety, vessel interaction, traffic management, cybersecurity and regulatory compliance, while outlining operational limits, risk controls and viable business models aligned with port needs.

Singapore

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has launched OCEANS-X, a maritime data and API exchange platform designed to enable secure system-to-system data sharing across the maritime ecosystem. The platform allows shipping companies and government agencies to exchange trusted data directly, supporting more integrated digital services, improved port operations and smoother trade flows.

The first use case includes digital port clearance, where shipping systems can transmit required data directly to MPA platforms instead of using portal-based submissions. OCEANS-X also supports electronic exchange of ship certificates with partner ports to reduce manual checks and paper-based processes.

💡The platform currently hosts more than 100 APIs and datasets and is intended to expand into additional services, including analytics and AI-enabled applications developed by industry, startups and research users.

Singapore

Neptune Robotics has announced a $12 million investment to expand its manufacturing and research and development operations in Singapore. The expansion follows a Series B funding round and is aimed at scaling its AI-powered robotic hull cleaning services for the maritime sector.

💡The facility will increase production capacity and support further development of the company’s computer vision and machine learning systems used in autonomous hull cleaning.

Space

Space activity is expanding through standardization, commercial investment, and new infrastructure aimed at communications resilience, education, and multi-mission satellite deployment.

Australia

Research from Swinburne University of Technology, supported by SmartSat CRC, has developed a resilient communication system designed to support emergency services during natural disasters when conventional networks fail.The system focuses on low-power, long-duration operation and is intended for use in remote and disaster-affected regions where connectivity is often lost due to events such as bushfires or flooding.

💡The technology combines a lightweight user terminal with a hybrid communications architecture that links local wireless networks to satellite backhaul. It uses software-defined radio techniques and compact data transmission methods to maintain messaging and basic voice communication under degraded conditions.

China

China has introduced its first commercial space standard system to regulate and guide the development of its growing private space sector. The framework, issued by the China National Space Administration and the State Administration for Market Regulation, was unveiled during Space Day events in Chengdu and is intended to standardise technical and governance requirements across rockets, satellites, launch sites and related services.

💡The system sets out a structured framework covering areas such as manufacturing, launch operations, tracking systems and application services, with more than 1,000 planned standards across multiple levels. Authorities said the initiative is aimed at improving coordination between public and commercial space actors and supporting more consistent development of China’s space industry as it expands.

China

A Beijing-based space startup has completed an early-stage funding round supported by venture capital and industrial investors, alongside securing large strategic credit lines from major Chinese banks. Orbital Chenguang’s financing mix includes participation from firms such as Haisong Capital and Cathay Capital, as well as backing from leading state-owned financial institutions, reflecting strong institutional interest in its development plans. The company is linked to a Beijing space technology institute supported by municipal authorities and operates within a broader industrial consortium focused on advanced aerospace systems.

💡The startup is developing a space-based computing infrastructure concept centered on satellite constellations designed for high-performance data processing in orbit. Its approach targets sun-synchronous orbital deployment to leverage continuous solar power and thermal conditions, with phased development planned from early technology validation to larger-scale orbital integration.


India

India is planning to set up dedicated space laboratories in universities and colleges to provide hands-on training in satellite systems, rocketry and mission design. The initiative, reviewed by Department of Space Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, is part of efforts to strengthen skills development as the country’s space sector expands and attracts growing private investment.

💡In the first phase, seven university-based labs will be established to support practical learning in space technologies and related engineering fields. The programme is coordinated with IN-SPACe, which oversees private sector participation in India’s space industry.

Japan

Japan’s Martian Moons eXploration mission, led by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, has arrived at the Tanegashima Space Center ahead of its planned launch later this year aboard the H3 rocket. The spacecraft will target Mars’ moon Phobos to collect and return surface samples as part of a multi-year planetary science mission.

💡The mission is expected to enter Mars orbit in 2027, conduct detailed surveys of Phobos and Deimos, and attempt a sample collection landing on Phobos in 2029 before returning material to Earth in 2031. The project aims to improve understanding of the origin of Mars’ moons and provide insight into the formation and evolution of the inner solar system.

Japan-New Zealand

Rocket Lab has completed a second dedicated launch for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, deploying eight small satellites from its Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.

💡The mission supported Japan’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program and included educational payloads, an ocean-monitoring satellite, and technology demonstration systems such as compact imaging and deployable antenna designs.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

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Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: Singapore Gulf Bank Launches Stablecoin Mint and Redeem Service; China, Indonesia and Azerbaijan Launch $1B ASEAN Investment Platform; Baskit Raises $4.4M Series A to Digitize Southeast Asia Distribution Networks; South Korea Launches AI Smart City Pilots Across Southeast Asia; POSCO Future M Invests $400M in Vietnam Battery Materials Plant; Gulf Edge and Kore.ai Partner to Scale Enterprise AI in Thailand; Foxconn Increases Vietnam Manufacturing Investment by $58.3M; and Earth Venture Backs $139M Quantum AI Infrastructure Round

Environmental Sustainability: China Expands EV Battery Recycling Standards to Strengthen Circular Economy; New Zealand Research Targets Mitochondrial Resilience in Aquaculture; Skye Renewables Secures $15M to Expand Solar Projects Across Southeast Asia; Endowus and CIP Expand Access to Institutional Clean Energy Investments; ADB Plans $6B Push to Deepen Southeast Asia Capital Markets by 2030; HDBank and London Stock Exchange Partner on Global Market Access; and Farmnet Secures $11.75M Loan to Scale Vietnam Agricultural Trade Financing

Aviation: Qantas Pilots Reject Pay Deal as Union Returns to Negotiations; Korean Air Deploys Digital Maintenance Platform at Engine Center; Teleport and Hashgraph Group Build Blockchain-Based Digital Customs System; Swisslog Automates Satair Singapore Facility with AutoStore Deployment; and Vietjet Signs Lease Agreement for Up to 10 COMAC C909 Aircraft

Advanced Air Mobility: AutoFlight Completes 2-Ton eVTOL Tea Logistics Trial in Guizhou; Sino Jet and Hainan Airports Form Low-Altitude Mobility Joint Venture; Sarla Aviation Expands Urban Air Mobility Partnerships Across India; KAIST Develops Air-Stable Solid-State Battery Breakthrough for Fast Charging; and LYTE Aviation Secures €500M SkyClinic eVTOL Medical Aircraft Orders

Marine: Seaspan Diversifies Into Dry Bulk Shipping With New Vessel Order; Port Nelson Expands Marine Maintenance Capacity With Major Facility Upgrade; AI and Robotics Transform Aquaculture Monitoring in New Zealand; Singapore Develops Real-Time Digital Twin for Port Operations; Yangzijiang Maritime Expands Fleet With Major VLCC Newbuild Programme; Taiwan Study Reveals Marine Conservation Gaps in Juvenile Fish Habitats; and Vietnam Approves $5B Can Gio Transshipment Port Project

Space: Canada and South Korea Strengthen Space Cooperation on Satellites and Earth Observation; China Builds Largest Composite Rocket Module for Reusable Launch Systems; Astroscale Plans Multi-Satellite Space Debris Inspection Mission; Japan Proposes Lunar Solar Power System With Luna Ring Concept; Thailand Expands Satellite-Based Wildfire Detection and Response Systems; and Vietnam Advances Nanosatellite Development Toward 2027 Launch

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Financing & Investments

Capital flows are increasingly converging on Southeast Asia’s digital infrastructure, AI systems, and advanced manufacturing base, reflecting a coordinated shift toward technology-enabled regional supply chains. Sovereign-backed platforms and strategic corporate investments are aligning around scalable, cross-border deployment of next-generation financial and industrial systems.

Bahrain-Singapore

Singapore Gulf Bank has introduced a service that allows corporate and high-net-worth clients to mint and redeem stablecoins directly through their bank accounts, enabling conversion between fiat currency and digital tokens. The offering is designed to support real-time settlement and reduce reliance on traditional correspondent banking channels. It is integrated into the bank’s proprietary SGB Net clearing system, which facilitates movement between blockchain-based assets and conventional financial infrastructure.

💡The bank is also temporarily covering transaction and gas fees for activity conducted on the Solana blockchain, alongside additional incentives tied to transaction volumes during an introductory period. The service initially supports USD Coin transactions above a specified minimum value and is expected to expand to additional stablecoins, including Tether, USDe, and Global Dollar.

China-Indonesia-Azerbaijan

China Investment Corporation, Indonesia Investment Authority, and the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan have formed a $1 billion private equity platform focused on investment opportunities across the China–ASEAN economic corridor. The initiative has reached an initial close of about $520 million and is structured as a jointly governed sovereign-led fund designed to support long-term capital deployment and cross-border investment flows between China and Southeast Asia. CGS International Securities acts as the general partner, providing operational and regional execution support across the platform.

💡The platform targets sectors linked to regional economic integration and supply chain shifts, including industrials, healthcare, consumer, business services, and technology. It is intended to channel institutional capital into companies positioned to benefit from growing trade links and investment activity between China and ASEAN markets.

Indonesia

Baskit, an Indonesia-based technology and financial services platform, has raised $4.4 million in a Series A funding round to support the digitization of offline distribution networks in Southeast Asia. The round was led by Cento Ventures, with participation from Kaya Founders, Analog Ventures, and Orvel Ventures, bringing the company’s total equity funding to $9.9 million. It has also secured a $3 million revolving credit facility from HSBC Innovation Banking.

💡The company plans to use the proceeds to expand its operations in Indonesia and enter the Philippines, its first market outside its home country. Baskit provides tools for managing distribution networks across wholesalers, distributors, and retailers, alongside embedded credit and payment services to improve working capital access.

South Korea-Southeast Asia

South Korea is set to conduct pilot deployments of AI-enabled smart city technologies across five Southeast Asian countries under its 2026 K-City Network program. The initiative is designed to test and demonstrate Korean-developed urban digital solutions in overseas environments while supporting the international expansion of domestic companies.

The selected projects include AI-based systems for water management and disaster response in Brunei, traffic optimization in Bacoor in the Philippines, and two transport-related pilots in Vietnam covering on-demand mobility in Ho Chi Minh City and smart intersection control in Can Tho. Additional deployments include a building safety management system in Thailand’s Surin province and an accident detection and congestion management system in Malaysia’s Penang.

💡The program aims to validate these technologies in real-world settings and support future commercial opportunities and international cooperation in smart city development.

South Korea-Vietnam

South Korea’s POSCO Future M plans to invest at least $400 million in Song Cong 2 Industrial Park in Vietnam’s Thai Nguyen province to develop a large-scale battery materials manufacturing facility. The project, supported through a land lease agreement with industrial park developer Viglacera, will serve as the company’s first overseas cathode materials production base.

💡The facility will occupy around 37 hectares within the industrial park and is expected to begin construction in the second half of 2026, with operations targeted for 2028. It is designed to produce up to 55,000 tons of battery materials annually for electric vehicle supply chains in markets including the United States, the European Union, and South Korea.

Thailand-USA
Gulf Edge Co., the digital infrastructure subsidiary of Gulf Development Public Company Limited, has entered into a partnership with Kore.ai to advance the development and deployment of artificial intelligence solutions in Thailand.

The collaboration will use Kore.ai’s agentic AI platform to build sector-specific applications for industries including telecommunications, banking, insurance, healthcare, and the public sector, with an emphasis on improving customer interaction, operational efficiency, and enterprise-scale AI adoption.

💡Gulf Edge will act as a strategic partner for Kore.ai’s platform and solutions, with support for go-to-market activities and product development. The initiative aligns with Gulf Edge’s ongoing investments in AI-related infrastructure such as data centers and cloud capabilities, aimed at supporting enterprise adoption in the country.

Taiwan-Vietnam

Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, is increasing investment in its Vietnamese subsidiary Fushan Technology (Vietnam) by $58.3 million, according to a filing to the Taiwan Stock Exchange. The additional capital will be implemented through a Foxconn unit and brings the company’s total investment in the subsidiary to about $226 million while maintaining full ownership. The move is part of Foxconn’s broader strategy to expand and strengthen its manufacturing operations in Vietnam.

💡Fushan Technology (Vietnam), located in Bac Ninh province, manufactures and assembles electronic products including mobile phones, smart devices, printed circuit boards, and optical components. The facility also produces items such as gaming consoles and uncrewed aircraft systems.

Vietnam-USA

Earth Venture Capital, a Vietnam-based climate technology investor, has participated in Sygaldry Technologies’ combined seed and Series A financing round totaling $139 million. The funding round included a $34 million seed stage and a $105 million Series A, with participation from multiple global venture investors.

💡Sygaldry Technologies, based in the United States, is developing quantum-accelerated AI server systems intended to reduce the energy consumption and cost of training and operating large-scale artificial intelligence models. The company’s platform integrates multiple qubit types within a single architecture designed for compatibility with existing data center infrastructure.

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Environmental Sustainability

Environmental systems are increasingly being shaped by formalized regulation, biological innovation, and large-scale capital deployment, with sustainability advancing through both infrastructure investment and financial market integration.

China

China has added five new national standards for electric vehicle battery recycling, increasing the total to 22. The updated rules set technical requirements for the collection, dismantling, testing, and processing of retired batteries, with the aim of improving consistency and efficiency in material recovery across the industry.

Existing and newly adopted standards have enabled higher recovery rates for key metals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese, supporting more structured reuse of battery materials.

💡China is also forming a national committee to align recycling standards across the full battery lifecycle and participating in international standard-setting efforts, while tightening safety rules on the reuse of retired batteries in lower-grade applications and preparing for a rise in battery retirements in the coming years.

New Zealand

Researchers at the Cawthron Institute in Nelson are studying whether improving mitochondrial function could help New Zealand’s aquaculture species better cope with warming oceans and other climate-related stresses. The project, called Supercharging Mitochondrial Function, is examining how cellular energy systems influence growth, survival, and heat tolerance in key farmed species such as salmon, mussels, oysters, and snapper.

The work combines genetics, nutrition, and environmental testing to identify individuals with stronger metabolic performance under stress. Scientists will measure how mitochondria respond to factors like temperature, oxygen, and salinity, with the goal of linking cellular efficiency to real-world farm performance.

💡The findings could inform selective breeding, feed design, and management practices to improve resilience and productivity in aquaculture systems facing increasingly variable conditions.

Singapore

Skye Renewables Energy, a Singapore-based solar power developer, has obtained a $15 million financing facility from responsAbility Investments. The capital will be directed toward developing renewable energy projects in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, covering both rooftop and onsite solar systems as well as larger grid-connected installations for corporate users.

💡The funding is intended to support expansion of the company’s clean energy portfolio across Southeast Asia. Skye Renewables, which is also backed by Idemitsu Kosan and British International Investment, focuses on delivering solar solutions for commercial and industrial clients in the region.

Singapore-Denmark-Hong Kong

Endowus, a Singapore-based wealth advisory and investment platform, has partnered with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) to broaden access to institutional renewable energy investment strategies for eligible investors in Singapore and Hong Kong. The collaboration will integrate CIP’s development-focused clean energy strategies into Endowus’ private markets offering, allowing access through both standalone allocations and diversified infrastructure portfolios.

💡The initiative comes amid rising global electricity demand driven by electrification, data center expansion, and artificial intelligence growth. It also reflects increasing investor interest in private infrastructure assets with long-term contracted revenue structures and lower correlation to public markets.

Southeast Asia

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) plans to mobilize up to $6 billion by 2030 to support the development of capital markets in Southeast Asia and strengthen the region’s resilience to external economic shocks. The financing will be directed through instruments aimed at infrastructure and development projects, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, and affordable housing.

💡The initiative also includes policy and technical support for regulators to improve market frameworks, expand bond issuance, and deepen regional financial integration. ADB will work with ASEAN capital market authorities to enhance regulatory systems, market infrastructure, and investor participation, with the broader goal of increasing capital market activity and unlocking additional private investment across the region.

Vietnam-UK

HDBank has entered into a strategic partnership with the London Stock Exchange to support Vietnamese companies in accessing international capital markets. The agreement covers cooperation on fundraising, overseas listings, and investor engagement, with a focus on connecting domestic enterprises to global institutional investors and facilitating the issuance of financial instruments across borders.

💡The bank also plans to issue up to $300 million in international green bonds as part of its strategy to expand sustainable financing and diversify funding sources. The partnership aims to strengthen corporate governance and transparency among Vietnamese businesses while supporting broader efforts to integrate Vietnam further into global financial markets and improve access to long-term capital.

Vietnam-Switzerland

Farmnet, the Vietnam-based trading arm of agricultural supply chain company TechCoop, has secured a $11.75 million senior secured loan from Symbiotics, a Geneva-based impact investment firm. The financing is the first offshore institutional loan raised by a Vietnam-incorporated entity within the TechCoop group and forms part of the company’s broader funding strategy ahead of a planned equity raise.

💡Farmnet operates as a domestic agricultural commodities trader working with processors, cooperatives, and farming enterprises across Vietnam, handling products including cassava, coffee, cashew, durian, coconut, and fresh produce. The company plans to use the loan as working capital to support expanded trading activity across its network.

Aviation

Aviation operations are increasingly shaped by workforce cost pressures, digitized maintenance and logistics systems, and the adoption of alternative financing and aircraft supply chains to support network expansion and efficiency gains.

Australia

Long-haul pilots at Qantas have rejected a proposed enterprise agreement that would have delivered a 25% pay increase over four years. The deal, which covered about 1,700 pilots flying A330, A380, and Boeing 787 aircraft, was supported by the Australian and International Pilots’ Association (AIPA) but was voted down by roughly two-thirds of members.

AIPA said it will now review pilot feedback and return to negotiations, aiming to address concerns in a revised offer. While the airline described the outcome as disappointing, it said it remains committed to reaching a deal that improves pay and conditions while keeping its international operations competitive.

💡The dispute comes as pilots continue to raise concerns that the proposed increases may not keep pace with inflation and rising living costs.

South Korea

Ramco Systems has implemented its Aviation Suite at Korean Air’s engine maintenance center in South Korea, supporting the airline’s shift toward fully digital maintenance operations. The system connects key functions such as engine maintenance, finance, customer service, and billing, while also integrating with warehouse automation systems to improve coordination and data flow across operations.

💡The platform provides real-time visibility into maintenance performance, including capacity use, costs, revenue, and overall operational metrics. The system will also support Korean Air’s planned engine maintenance cluster scheduled for 2027, which is expected to become a major MRO hub in Asia.

Switzerland-Malaysia

The Hashgraph Group, a Switzerland-based Web3 and AI engineering firm, and Malaysia-based air logistics company Teleport have agreed to jointly develop a Digital Customs Documentation System to digitize and manage cross-border trade documentation. The system is being built as a proof of concept and will initially target e-commerce shipments in Southeast Asia, with the aim of improving efficiency and security in customs processing.

The platform is designed to address issues such as shipment misclassification, documentation errors, and multi-party disputes that contribute to delays in cross-border logistics. It will use distributed ledger technology on the Hedera network to create immutable shipping records, integrate with TradeTrust for standardized digital documents, and apply AI-based validation for customs classification.

💡Teleport plans to deploy the system on selected Malaysian routes and expand it across transport modes, while integrating it with its broader logistics network to support end-to-end shipment visibility.

Switzerland-Singapore

Swisslog has announced the deployment and commissioning of an AutoStore automation system for Satair at its Singapore facility, marking the aerospace parts distributor’s third global installation of the system. The project is part of a broader effort to standardize and automate logistics operations across Satair’s international network to improve efficiency, resilience, and scalability.

💡The system introduces high-density, goods-to-person storage automation that places most small and medium-sized parts within a compact warehouse footprint, enabling faster and more consistent order processing. It is designed to support continuous operations and improve handling speed and flexibility, particularly during demand peaks.

Vietnam-China

Vietjet has signed a financing agreement with SPDB Financial Leasing, a subsidiary of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, for the lease of up to 10 COMAC C909 aircraft. The arrangement is structured as operating leases and is intended to support fleet expansion and diversify the airline’s financing sources. The agreement is expected to support Vietjet’s planned use of COMAC aircraft on selected Vietnam–China routes, contributing to expanded air connectivity between the two markets.

💡The airline has previously operated COMAC C909 aircraft on domestic routes serving Con Dao, where airport infrastructure limits operations for larger aircraft. Alongside the leasing arrangement, Vietjet has introduced several new routes between Vietnam and China as part of broader network expansion efforts, while also reporting growth in revenue and profit for the prior year.

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Advanced Air Mobility

Advanced air mobility is moving from concept to operational pilots, with early commercial use cases emerging in logistics, regional connectivity, and emergency services, supported by parallel breakthroughs in energy storage and infrastructure development.

China

AutoFlight has completed what it describes as China’s first 2-ton-class eVTOL trial dedicated to spring tea transport in Guizhou province. The test used its CarryAll V2000CG to move fresh tea between Anshun and Guiyang over a mountainous route of about 120 km in roughly 37 minutes, significantly reducing travel time compared with road transport.

💡The operation formed part of a combined logistics chain linking short-range aerial transport with high-speed rail, enabling same-day delivery of goods from western China to eastern cities. After the eVTOL segment, the shipment was transferred onto rail from Guiyang to Shanghai, covering nearly 2,000 km in total within a 24-hour window.

China

Sino Jet Group and Hainan Linghang Low-Altitude Industry, a subsidiary of Hainan Airports, have formed a joint venture to establish Hainan Low-Altitude Mobility Co., Ltd., aimed at developing low-altitude air transport services in China’s Hainan Free Trade Port.

The new company plans to leverage Hainan’s airport infrastructure and aviation support systems to develop services such as urban air shuttles, sightseeing flights, business transfers, and cross-island routes. It will coordinate operations across key destinations within the province and nearby regions, with a focus on integrating higher-altitude aviation with short-range low-altitude mobility to improve connectivity and reduce travel times.

💡Sino Jet previously placed a firm order for 50 AE200 eVTOL aircraft from Aerofugia.

India

Sarla Aviation has released several press statements, including a clarification following earlier reporting that IndiGo Ventures had invested through its venture arm. The company confirmed that IndiGo Ventures has made a minority investment, but withdrew its earlier public communication on the matter due to confusion, and clarified that IndiGo has no involvement in Sarla Aviation’s eVTOL initiatives.

In separate announcements, Sarla Aviation detailed a series of partnerships aimed at building out urban air mobility use cases in India. It has signed an agreement with Cochin International Airport to assess vertiport infrastructure in Kerala, including potential locations within or adjacent to the airport campus and integration of eVTOL operations into airport systems. The collaboration includes evaluating operational routes, phased deployment planning, and commercial vertiport development linked to passenger connectivity.

The company has also signed a medical mobility MoU with Aster DM Healthcare and Aeromed International Rescue Services to explore air-based patient transport, including hospital-to-hospital and emergency transfers, as well as aircraft configurations for critical care use.

💡Additional agreements include partnerships with OEC Green Developers to explore vertiport integration in hospitality and tourism projects, and multiple MoUs with aviation and transport operators such as IndiaOne Air, Global Vectra Helicorp, and Baramati Agro to examine regional connectivity, helicopter-to-eVTOL transition use cases, and applications in logistics, charter, and specialized transport services.

South Korea

Researchers at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), working with several Korean universities, have developed a new solid-state battery electrolyte design that remains stable in air while enabling faster charging. The breakthrough targets a long-standing issue in halide-based electrolytes, which typically degrade when exposed to moisture and therefore require costly controlled environments for production.

💡The team introduced an “oxygen anchoring” approach using tungsten to stabilize oxygen within the material’s structure. This improves air stability and creates smoother pathways for lithium ions, boosting conductivity to about 2.7 times higher than existing alternatives. The advance could support next-generation batteries for applications such as electric vehicles, robotics, and urban air mobility.

UK-India

LYTE Aviation has signed conditional purchase agreements with Vman Aviation Services IFSC for 10 SkyClinic aircraft, representing a combined order value of €500 million and including milestone-linked deposits. The aircraft are planned for deployment in India, adding to the company’s broader pipeline of pre-orders across its aviation platforms.

The SkyClinic is a hybrid hydrogen-electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft designed for emergency medical use in areas with limited infrastructure. It features onboard medical facilities such as surgical capability and patient accommodation, with integration of remote medical systems.

💡The aircraft uses a hydrogen-based propulsion system aimed at reducing emissions while supporting long-range operations, and forms part of LYTE Aviation’s wider development of advanced air mobility platforms for passenger, cargo, and medical applications.

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Marine

The marine sector is shifting toward large-scale capacity expansion and asset diversification, alongside rapid adoption of digital and AI-driven systems for port operations, aquaculture, and logistics, while sustainability pressures are increasingly influencing both infrastructure development and marine ecosystem management.

Canada-China

Seaspan Corporation is expanding beyond its traditional container shipping focus, placing its first order in the dry bulk and multipurpose vessel segment with four 65,200 dwt open-hatch ships. The vessels, to be built by China’s New Dayang Shipbuilding, are scheduled for delivery in 2029 and will feature gantry cranes and box-shaped holds designed for flexible cargo operations.

The new ships will be capable of carrying a mix of project cargo and breakbulk goods, marking a diversification step for Seaspan as it continues to expand its leasing portfolio beyond container vessels. The move follows its recent entry into car carriers and planned expansion into gas shipping, reflecting a broader strategy to build a multi-segment maritime leasing platform.

New Zealand

Port Nelson has opened a major new marine maintenance facility designed to expand its capacity to service larger commercial vessels and strengthen the Nelson–Tasman region’s role in New Zealand’s maritime sector. The Calwell Marine Maintenance and Transitional Facility includes a new hardstand area and a 550-tonne mobile boat hoist, enabling vessels up to 2,400 tonnes to be hauled out, repaired, and refitted more efficiently.

💡The upgrade is intended to reduce bottlenecks in vessel servicing by separating workloads between Port Nelson and smaller nearby facilities, improving turnaround times for the country’s growing fleet of larger ships. Supported by a mix of government, council, and port investment, the project is part of a broader infrastructure push aimed at expanding marine servicing capacity, supporting fisheries and aquaculture operations, and strengthening the region’s long-term maritime economy.

New Zealand

UWAI Robotics and Seaweave are developing artificial intelligence and underwater imaging tools that are changing how New Zealand’s aquaculture industry monitors fish and shellfish farms. Their systems convert underwater video and sensor data into real-time and historical insights, helping farmers track stock health, environmental conditions, and productivity without relying solely on manual inspections.

💡UWAI Robotics has built an AI-enabled underwater drone that scans mussel lines and analyses crop condition, including size distribution, density, and biofouling, allowing farmers to assess yields more accurately. Seaweave, meanwhile, is applying AI-powered imaging and sensing systems to monitor water quality, detect environmental changes, and identify marine species, with uses extending into fisheries management and breeding programmes.

Singapore

Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has developed a real-time maritime digital twin of the Port of Singapore in collaboration with GovTech Singapore. The system integrates live data from vessels, port operations, drones, and environmental sensors, allowing authorities to simulate and test scenarios before committing physical infrastructure or capital investment.

💡The digital twin is already being used for multiple applications, including optimising the placement of electric charging infrastructure for harbour craft, detecting and modelling hazardous spills to improve emergency response, and integrating drone surveillance for real-time coastal monitoring. MPA is also exploring future applications using AI, such as improving vessel “parking” efficiency by modelling ship movement patterns, and plans to open the platform to selected industry users and developers in 2026 to support wider innovation across maritime services.

Singapore-China

Yangzijiang Maritime Development has expanded its exposure to crude oil shipping with a major newbuilding programme centred on very large crude carriers (VLCCs). The Singapore-listed shipowner has ordered eight 319,000 dwt VLCCs from a Chinese shipyard, with deliveries scheduled between 2028 and 2030.

The vessels are designed to meet the latest efficiency and emissions standards, incorporating fuel-optimised hulls, electronically controlled engines, and energy-saving technologies aligned with IMO Phase 3 requirements. All eight ships will be equipped with exhaust gas scrubbers, allowing operational flexibility between fuel types and helping manage bunker cost volatility.

💡Yangzijiang Maritime is also divesting four medium-range tankers, a strategy aimed at supporting near-term earnings while continuing to reposition its portfolio across multiple shipping segments.

Taiwan

A new study published in Pacific Conservation Biology has found that juvenile reef fish rely heavily on mixed coral–algal habitats that are not fully covered by current marine protection zones in Taiwan, raising concerns about gaps in conservation policy.Researchers led by Wen Guo-zhang at Tunghai University, working with the Fisheries Research Institute, tracked grouper, snapper, and parrotfish around Penghu County and found that young fish cluster in mixed reef environments before migrating to coral reefs as adults.

💡The study suggests that protecting only mature reef habitats may overlook critical nursery areas, and calls for conservation zones that cover the full life cycle of key marine species to better support long-term fisheries sustainability.

Vietnam

A consortium led by Vietnam Maritime Corporation and MSC’s Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), alongside Saigon Port, has received approval to develop Vietnam’s planned Can Gio International Transshipment Port in Ho Chi Minh City. The project is expected to cost around $5 billion and is designed to significantly expand the country’s container handling capacity.

💡The port will cover about 571 hectares and be developed in phases, starting with facilities capable of handling ultra-large container ships. Capacity is projected to reach 4.8 million TEU by 2030 and potentially expand to nearly 17 million TEU by 2047.

Space

Space development is increasingly focused on scaling reusable launch capabilities, expanding satellite infrastructure, and advancing in-orbit operations, with growing emphasis on inspection, environmental monitoring, and energy applications, supported by deeper international cooperation and early-stage commercialization across the sector.

Canada-South Korea

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and South Korea’s Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build a strategic industrial alliance covering satellite communications, Earth observation, space science, navigation systems, and space situational awareness.

The agreement aims to link Canada’s planned Low Earth Orbit communications and robotics capabilities with South Korea’s satellite manufacturing and ground infrastructure, while also encouraging joint projects and private-sector partnerships.

💡It builds on recent commercial ties between Canadian firms such as MDA Space and Telesat and South Korea’s Hanwha Systems, and supports broader cooperation in launch services, scientific missions, and emerging space infrastructure initiatives.

China

China’s China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) has completed production of a 5-meter-diameter composite rocket module, marking the largest composite structural section built in the country for a reusable launch vehicle. The component is intended for use in a national space program focused on reusable rocket development.

💡The module is made of more than 60% composite materials and features lightweight structural panels designed to withstand axial loads of up to 1,000 metric tons, along with adaptive interface systems for integration. CALT completed the design-to-production process in about seven months, highlighting advances in large-scale composite manufacturing techniques.

Japan

Astroscale has announced a 2027 mission called ISSA-J1 (In-situ Space Situational Awareness-Japan 1) to inspect multiple defunct satellites in different orbits. The mission builds on its earlier ADRAS-J demonstration and will be the first of its kind to visit more than one inactive spacecraft in a single flight.

💡The 650 kg spacecraft will use rendezvous and proximity operations to inspect two retired Japanese Earth-observation satellites: ALOS (launched 2006, inactive since 2011) and ADEOS-II (launched 2002, mission ended after early failure). ISSA-J1 will gradually approach each target, conduct detailed imaging and analysis, then move between orbits to repeat the process, demonstrating in-orbit inspection capabilities that could support future satellite servicing and debris assessment.


Japan

Shimizu Corporation, a Japanese construction company, has proposed a concept called Luna Ring that envisions generating solar energy on the Moon and transmitting it to Earth. The system involves installing a wide belt of solar panels around the Moon’s equator to continuously capture sunlight and convert it into energy for transmission via microwave or laser beams.

💡The concept is intended to provide a constant source of clean energy unaffected by weather or day-night cycles on Earth. Energy collected on the lunar surface would be sent to Earth-based receiving stations for conversion into electricity and distribution through power grids. The proposal also outlines the use of lunar resources and robotic systems for construction and maintenance, positioning the project as a long-term vision for large-scale renewable energy supply.

Thailand

Thailand is increasingly relying on satellite technology to detect and respond to wildfires, as hotspot activity surges across northern and western regions. According to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), thousands of hotspots have been identified through satellite monitoring, with many concentrated in conservation and reserved forest areas. In one recent case at Sri Lanna National Park in Chiang Mai, satellite alerts helped authorities locate a remote fire zone and deploy ground teams to contain the blaze despite difficult terrain.

Officials say the system allows faster and more targeted firefighting, supporting efforts to reduce environmental damage and manage worsening PM2.5 air pollution. Thailand’s satellite network now provides frequent hotspot updates and generates heat maps that help agencies track fire patterns and prioritize response.

💡The data has become central to national wildfire management, especially during the dry season when agricultural burning, dry forest fuel, and rising temperatures significantly increase fire risk.

Vietnam

VinSpace, the aerospace subsidiary of Vietnam’s Vingroup, is developing nanosatellite technologies with plans to deploy its first satellites into orbit by 2027. The company is focused on building domestically developed nanosatellite constellations for applications such as telecommunications and remote sensing, as part of broader efforts to establish a local space technology sector.

💡The company is investing in manufacturing capabilities and supporting infrastructure, including cleanroom facilities, testing systems, and ground station networks. It is also working with domestic and international partners to develop an integrated technical and commercial ecosystem aimed at enabling future satellite-based services.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

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Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: ASEAN Regional Energy Grid Preparation Fund Launched; Cambodia Telecom Expansion Snags $50M Financing; China–Singapore Autonomous Mobility Service Moves Toward Public Rollout; China–Vietnam Cross-Language AI Voice Tech Partnership Expands Ecosystem Integration; India AI Infrastructure Startup Raises $22M Series A for GPU Cloud Expansion; Malaysia SME Financing Program Targets Digital and Green Upgrades; US–Singapore Multi-Billion Data Center Expansion Targets AI Infrastructure Growth; and Vietnam Crypto Exchange Secures Investment for Regulatory Pilot

Environmental Sustainability: China–Kazakhstan Hydrogen Energy Innovation Center Launched; Indonesia Waste-to-Energy Holding PT Daya Energi Bersih Nusantara Established; Indonesia Recovers $720M in State Assets and Reclaims Forest Land; Japan Researchers Validate Plastic-Degrading Additive Technology; and Singapore Firms Expand Sustainability Investment Despite Funding Constraints

Aviation: Digital Identity Trials Enable Contactless Air Travel; Australia Aviation Operator Hit by Ransomware Data Breach Claim; India Airport Launches In-Terminal Quick Commerce Service; Air New Zealand Trials Biometric Digital Travel ID; Japan Airlines Retires Carbon Credits Under CORSIA; Japan Airlines and ANA Raise Fuel Surcharges; and Singapore Tightens In-Flight Power Bank Rules

Advanced Air Mobility: China–Kazakhstan Urban Air Mobility Launch Plan; Japan eVTOL Commercial Timeline Shifted to 2027–2028; Japan Drone “Sky Path” Network Expands for Grid Inspection; South Korea–Thailand UAV Public Safety System Deal; and US–China Archer–Joby Aviation Patent Dispute Review

Marine: India Offshore Platform Fire Incident at Mumbai High; India Orders Ammonia Dual-Fuel Bulk Carriers; Malaysia Secures Offshore Support Vessel Charters; Pakistan VLCC “Mali” Scrapped After Dark Fleet Activity; Singapore–South Korea Hafnia Orders 8 MR Tankers; South Korea Introduces Split-Shipyard Construction Method; and UK–Timor-Leste Offshore Drilling Coordination Agreement

Space: China TL 3 Heavy-Lift Rocket Maiden Flight Failure; Japan Funds Astroscale In-Orbit Refueling Program; Japan Astroscale Satellite Inspection Mission (ISSA-J1) Planned; Japan Develops High-Resolution X-Ray Space Telescope; and Artemis II Lunar Flyby Mission Completed

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Financing & Investments

Financing is clustering around foundational digital, energy, and AI infrastructure, with strong emphasis on scaling readiness through telecom upgrades, compute capacity, and cross-border connectivity. Public-backed capital and strategic partnerships continue to de-risk large systems buildouts while accelerating adoption of AI, automation, and regulated digital finance.

ASEAN

Asian Development Bank has launched a $25 million multi-partner fund to support early-stage development work for cross-border energy and transmission projects across ASEAN. The facility, called the Regional Connectivity Fund for Energy in Southeast Asia, is designed to finance project preparation for initiatives tied to the ASEAN Power Grid, including feasibility studies, engineering design, financial structuring, safeguards assessments, and regulatory support.

💡The fund is backed by contributions from multiple donor governments and will be managed in coordination with the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund and regional partners. It aims to improve project readiness and bankability for large-scale regional electricity interconnection, supporting long-term efforts to integrate power systems across Southeast Asia and expand access to reliable, lower-cost and renewable energy sources as regional electricity demand rises significantly toward mid-century.


Cambodia

Maybank Cambodia has provided a $50 million financing facility to Smart Axiata to support expansion of Cambodia’s digital and telecom infrastructure, including nationwide 5G rollout.

💡The funding is intended to strengthen connectivity systems that underpin digital services across education, financial transactions, and business operations, particularly for SMEs adopting ICT tools to improve productivity and reach.

China-Singapore

Pony.ai has partnered with ComfortDelGro to launch an autonomous mobility service in Singapore, following regulatory approval for by-invite rides ahead of broader public rollout.

💡The service operates on a 12-kilometre route in Punggol, linking residential areas with key amenities and transport nodes including Punggol Coast MRT station and nearby commercial centres, with journey times of about 55 minutes and potential time savings versus existing public transport connections.

China-Vietnam

Vietnam’s telecommunications firm Viettel Telecom has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with China-based AI company iFLYTEK to develop voice artificial intelligence technologies tailored to the Vietnamese market. The collaboration centers on building Vietnamese-language speech systems such as speech-to-text and text-to-speech, with AI models adapted to tonal features, regional accents, and natural speech patterns, while ensuring deployment on Viettel’s infrastructure to support data security and sovereignty.

The partnership also covers integration of AI capabilities into hardware and consumer devices across Viettel’s ecosystem, including smartphones, IoT products, smart speakers, and telecom systems, with optimization for low-resource environments using edge computing.

💡Additional areas include expansion into natural language processing, sentiment analysis, real-time translation, and AI-driven customer service applications such as virtual call centers, alongside joint research, product co-development, and broader efforts to accelerate AI deployment in Vietnam.

India

Nava, an India-based cloud infrastructure firm focused on GPU compute and AI data centers, has raised $22 million in a Series A round led by Greenoaks Capital with participation from RTP Global and Unicorn India Ventures. The company, formerly known as Kluisz, is building an AI-optimized cloud platform that combines GPU infrastructure, AI-focused data centers, and software layers for orchestration and deployment across Asia-Pacific.

💡The firm will use the funding to expand its AI compute platform, scale operations across the region, and hire senior technical and operational talent in areas such as data center design and GPU engineering.


Malaysia

Malaysia’s Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development is deploying up to MYR5 billion ($1.3 billion) in concessional financing to help SMEs expand and shift into higher-value segments. Loans priced at three to five percent will be delivered via licensed and development financial institutions, including Bank Rakyat and SME Bank, to fund upgrades in technology, green transition efforts, automation, digital adoption, and tourism-linked activities.

💡The initiative sits within the PowerUp10K campaign, which aims to channel up to MYR15 billion overall to 10,000 businesses. It also earmarks at least MYR100 million for training up to 100,000 entrepreneurs, with targets to push SME value-added output above MYR750 billion and support 100 firms in reaching MYR100 million in revenue, while approvals have reached about MYR2 billion so far.

US-Singapore

Digital Realty has set a target of nearly S$7 billion ($5.49 billion) in total investment in Singapore to expand its data center footprint and strengthen its role in AI infrastructure across Asia Pacific. The plan includes more than S$4.3 billion ($3.37 billion) in new developments, building on existing assets, to support rising demand for AI and high-performance computing workloads in the region.

The company is also expanding its operational and innovation ecosystem in Singapore, including workforce growth to around 400 employees by 2030, the relocation and expansion of its regional office, and the development of a Global Command Center and an upcoming innovation lab for testing AI and hybrid cloud systems.


Vietnam

Vietnam Prosperity Crypto Asset Exchange has secured investment commitments from OKX Ventures and HashKey Capital to help meet the VND10 trillion ($380 million) capital requirement to join Vietnam’s pilot for regulated crypto trading. The firms will join as strategic partners alongside founding shareholders VPBank Securities and LynkiD, with capital injection expected in April to support entry into the government-backed program.

💡The tie-up combines domestic financial and technology capacity with international crypto sector experience, covering infrastructure, security, compliance, risk management, and liquidity connectivity aligned with regulatory standards. Vietnam Prosperity Crypto Asset Exchange, initially capitalized at VND25 billion, is preparing to scale under Vietnam’s five-year pilot for crypto exchanges.

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Environmental Sustainability

Hydrogen energy development is advancing through cross-border research cooperation, while Indonesia is consolidating waste-to-energy systems and strengthening state asset recovery and land governance. Japan’s findings support new approaches to plastic degradation, and Singapore firms are increasing sustainability investment despite ongoing financing constraints.

China-Kazakhstan

China and Kazakhstan have launched the China–Kazakhstan Hydrogen Energy Technology Innovation Center at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty to advance cooperation in hydrogen energy development and low-carbon technology. The center is intended to support applied research, engineering training, and technology deployment aimed at building a hydrogen-based energy industry aligned with Kazakhstan’s decarbonization strategy.

💡The initiative is backed by collaboration between Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Energy China International Corporation through a trilateral framework covering joint research, technology transfer, academic exchange, and pilot projects. The partnership focuses on accelerating commercialization of hydrogen technologies and integrating them into industrial applications as Kazakhstan develops its clean energy and renewable capacity.


Indonesia

Danantara Indonesia has established PT Daya Energi Bersih Nusantara as a centralized holding entity to oversee waste-to-energy and waste-to-electricity projects across Indonesia. The structure consolidates investment, development, and operational activities for these projects, with subsidiary project companies formed as joint entities between PT Denera and selected consortium partners.

💡The framework is designed to streamline project execution, improve governance, and attract domestic and international participation in integrated waste management and renewable energy initiatives.

Indonesia

The Attorney General’s Office of Indonesia has completed a major phase of state asset recovery, returning Rp11.42 trillion (about $720 million) to the government through a mix of forestry fines, tax recoveries, corruption-related proceeds, and environmental penalties. The recovery also includes enforcement actions by the Forest Area Control Task Force and contributions from state-linked entities and tax compliance measures.

💡In parallel, authorities transferred control of 254,780 hectares of reclaimed forest land to the Ministry of Forestry of Indonesia, covering protected and production forest zones in multiple regions. The reclaimed areas are slated for ecological restoration and stricter governance to prevent illegal use, as part of broader efforts to strengthen natural resource management and recover state assets.

Japan

Researchers at Keio University have identified bacteria capable of breaking down plastics treated with additive technology developed by P-Life Japan Inc., providing scientific support for the company’s approach to improving the environmental degradability of conventional plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. The research mapped microbial pathways involved in the breakdown process, reinforcing evidence that treated plastics can be bioassimilated under natural environmental conditions.

The technology works by integrating an additive into standard plastic manufacturing processes without requiring changes to production systems, allowing existing materials to interact with microbial activity after use.

💡The findings strengthen the company’s positioning of its approach as a material-level method for reducing long-term plastic accumulation, with applications evaluated across packaging, automotive, agriculture, and consumer goods sectors as industries respond to tightening environmental standards and sustainability requirements.

Singapore

Singapore-based firms are widely embedding sustainability into strategy, with most viewing it as a commercial opportunity and the majority already treating it as a core business focus, according to HSBC’s Sustainability Pulse Survey. A large share of companies have already implemented transition plans, and Singapore stands out regionally for high levels of climate-related capital allocation, with a significantly higher proportion of firms directing more than 10 percent of CapEx toward sustainability compared with the broader Asia-Pacific average.

💡Despite strong adoption, funding constraints remain the main bottleneck to further progress, with companies citing budget limits, high costs, and financing access as key challenges. The survey also found that most businesses plan to accelerate sustainability efforts over the next few years, while investors increasingly favor firms with credible transition strategies, reinforcing that access to capital and execution capacity will be critical factors shaping how quickly sustainability ambitions translate into scaled outcomes.

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Aviation

Aviation is moving towards digitizing passenger processing through biometric identity systems while also facing rising cybersecurity risks and stricter onboard safety regulation. At the same time, the sector is under cost pressure from fuel volatility and accelerating environmental compliance, with airlines increasingly using carbon markets and surcharges to manage emissions and operating expenses.

Asia-Pacific & Europe

The International Air Transport Association has confirmed that fully contactless international air travel is now technically achievable following successful digital identity trials conducted across Europe and Asia-Pacific. The tests showed that passengers can complete end-to-end journeys using biometric verification and digital identity credentials stored in mobile wallets, reducing or eliminating the need for repeated presentation of passports and boarding passes.

The trials, carried out with airlines, airports, governments, and technology providers, demonstrated interoperability between multiple digital identity systems, including mobile wallet platforms and national digital ID schemes.

💡Results indicated that a single verified digital identity can be reused across different stages of travel—booking, check-in, security, boarding, and transfer—while maintaining security and regulatory compliance, though broader adoption will depend on government frameworks enabling standardized acceptance of digital travel credentials.

Australia

The ransomware group Anubis has claimed responsibility for a cyber incident involving Western Australian operator Shine Aviation, alleging it accessed 57GB of data containing tens of thousands of files. The group claims the material includes employee credentials, access card scans, and aircraft-related documentation such as airworthiness and registration records.

💡The attackers also say the data set includes internal system login details and operational information used in aviation and flight operations, though the authenticity of the leaked material has not been independently verified. The incident highlights ongoing cybersecurity risks facing regional aviation and fly-in fly-out operators, particularly around the protection of sensitive operational, maintenance, and identity-related data.

India

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has introduced India’s first in-terminal quick commerce service through a partnership with Blinkit, enabling passengers to place app-based orders and receive deliveries directly within the airport terminal. The service operates in Terminal 2 domestic departures and covers locations such as boarding gates, lounges, food courts, and selected retail zones, with fulfillment handled by on-ground staff in line with airport security requirements.

💡The offering includes travel essentials such as snacks, electronics, books, personal care items, baby products, and permitted beverages sourced from approved in-terminal inventory.



Japan

Japan Airlines has become the first commercial carrier to complete a large-scale retirement of Gold Standard carbon credits for Phase 1 compliance under the CORSIA framework. A total of 180,000 Eligible Emissions Units were retired via Shell on behalf of the airline, with credits sourced from certified clean cooking projects in Malawi and Tanzania.

💡The credits are linked to programs that distribute more efficient household cookstoves, aimed at reducing fuel use, lowering emissions, and improving air quality while easing pressure on forests. The transactions signal early-stage scaling of CORSIA compliance activity across the aviation sector, with additional retirements expected as airlines prepare for upcoming obligations tied to international emissions reduction requirements.

Japan

All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines are set to significantly increase international fuel surcharges from June, reflecting rising aviation fuel costs driven by higher crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions affecting supply. The surcharge increases will be applied on top of base fares and vary by route, with long-haul flights to Europe and North America seeing the steepest rises.

💡For services operated by All Nippon Airways, surcharges on Europe and North America routes are projected to reach 55,000 yen, while Japan Airlines is expected to set comparable long-haul surcharges at 50,000 yen. Smaller but still notable increases are planned for routes to China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Russia, with airlines also considering broader changes to surcharge systems as fuel price volatility continues to impact operating costs.

New Zealand

Air New Zealand has trialled a digital identity system aimed at reducing repeated passport checks and streamlining international travel. In a pilot on return flights between Auckland and Hong Kong, passengers used a digital ID integrated into the airline app to store passport data, complete online check-in, and pass through airport touchpoints using biometric verification instead of repeatedly presenting physical documents.

💡The system links encrypted identity data with facial recognition at selected checkpoints and integrates with New Zealand’s traveller declaration process to reduce manual form completion. The airline said the technology is designed to improve both convenience and security through consent-based data sharing, and is exploring expanded trials with government agencies and international partners as part of broader efforts to enable more seamless, biometrics-driven travel processes.

Singapore

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore has introduced new safety rules restricting power bank use on flights departing Singapore to reduce onboard fire risks linked to lithium battery overheating. From mid-April 2026, passengers will be limited to carrying up to two power banks per person, while charging power banks or using them to charge devices during flights will be prohibited.

💡The updated measures align with revised safety guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organization and build on existing rules banning power banks in checked baggage and requiring safe handling in carry-on luggage.

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Advanced Air Mobility

Urban air mobility is moving from planning into structured regional deployment, with infrastructure buildouts and regulatory timelines becoming clearer. Alongside this, governments are expanding drone use for infrastructure monitoring and public safety, while intellectual property disputes highlight growing competition in electric aviation development.

China-Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is preparing to launch Central Asia’s first urban air mobility system, with planned eVTOL air taxi operations linking Alatau and Almaty and extending to nearby cities and tourist hubs. Test flights involving aircraft from China’s AutoFlight are expected to take place in 2026, using cargo and firefighting models capable of high-speed, medium-range flight to demonstrate operational readiness ahead of passenger services.

The project includes development of a regional network of vertiports and supporting infrastructure led by Alatau Advance Air Group in partnership with international aviation infrastructure firms. Planned routes are expected to significantly reduce travel times between key urban and tourism zones, while

💡Kazakhstan is also considering additional eVTOL procurement from companies including Joby Aviation as part of a broader effort to establish a regulated testing and deployment environment for advanced aerial mobility systems.

Japan

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has revised its advanced air mobility roadmap, shifting the expected start of commercial eVTOL passenger services to 2027–2028. Demonstration flights held at the Osaka World Expo are not considered commercial operations, with the roadmap outlining a staged rollout from early services in selected regions to more advanced autonomous flight systems and integrated urban air mobility networks in the 2030s and beyond.

Regional plans in Kansai, including work led by the Kansai Economic Federation and operators such as SkyDrive, aim to build an initial network of around 100 aircraft operating within an 80-kilometer radius of Osaka Bay by 2035. Infrastructure hubs such as the Osakako vertiport are intended to anchor planned “Diamond Routes” linking cities across the region, though certification progress, infrastructure readiness, and operational approvals remain key factors determining the timing of full commercial deployment.

Japan

Japan is developing government-approved drone “sky paths” above power transmission corridors to enable safer and more efficient infrastructure inspection, particularly in mountainous regions. The initiative is being advanced by utilities and technology firms to modernize inspection workflows and address labor shortages, with early routes already in use for patrolling and checking transmission and distribution assets. Expansion plans target a nationwide network of about 40,000 kilometers by fiscal 2035, with future applications also expected in disaster response and logistics.

💡The system is being developed through Grid Sky Way LLP with participation from power utilities and firms including NTT Data Group and Hitachi Ltd. Pilot operations include a 150-kilometer corridor in Chichibu, where drones are used to inspect power lines more quickly and safely than manual methods, while additional routes are being explored for river monitoring and broader infrastructure surveillance across Japan.

South Korea-Thailand

Airbility has signed a four-party memorandum of understanding with Thailand’s NT iBuzz, SmartOkO Thailand, and KILSA Global to deploy integrated UAV systems for public safety and border security in Thailand. The collaboration combines eVTOL aerial platforms, secure communications infrastructure, and AI-based video analytics into a unified operational system designed for coordinated aerial monitoring and data processing.

💡The joint initiative covers development and deployment of UAV operations across Thailand, with integration of real-time communications, automated aerial surveillance analytics, and cross-border coordination capabilities. Target applications include border surveillance, law enforcement support, disaster response, and monitoring of critical infrastructure, supported by pilot projects and phased rollout of mission-based drone services nationwide.

US-China

The U.S. International Trade Commission has opened an investigation into claims by Archer Aviation that rival Joby Aviation improperly imported electric aircraft power system components from China that allegedly infringe Archer patents. The case falls under a Section 337 unfair trade inquiry and covers electric aircraft systems and related components.

💡The investigation, which is still at an early stage, will examine whether the imports violate intellectual property rights and whether exclusion or cease-and-desist orders should be imposed. An administrative law judge will hear the case and make an initial determination before the commission issues a final ruling, with no finding on the merits yet established.

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Marine

Marine activity is being shaped by fleet modernization and alternative fuel adoption, alongside strong offshore demand and new shipbuilding efficiency strategies. At the same time, regulatory and geopolitical pressures continue to influence tanker operations and vessel lifecycle outcomes.

India

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation reported a fire on its offshore SHP platform at the Mumbai High field, causing minor injuries to several workers. Emergency systems were activated and the incident was brought under control before it could spread further, with operations subsequently returning to normal levels.

💡The affected platform is part of the Mumbai High offshore complex, a key production hub for India’s domestic oil output. The cause of the incident has not been disclosed, and an internal investigation is underway to determine what triggered the fire and assess any broader operational impact.

India

India has secured its first contract for ammonia dual-fuel bulk carriers, with Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limitedset to construct four large 92,500 dwt vessels for Energy ONE Limited at its Pipavav facility. The ships will be equipped with ammonia-ready propulsion systems developed by KMS-EMEC and certified by DNV, placing them among the biggest commercial vessels ordered in India to date.

💡Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2029, with each vessel arriving in stages over a multi-year period. The project is tied to a wider investment platform focused on zero-emission shipping, reflecting early-stage efforts to commercialize ammonia as a marine fuel while positioning Indian shipbuilding to participate in next-generation low-carbon vessel construction.

Malaysia

Nam Cheong has secured offshore support vessel charter contracts worth up to RM102.5 million ($25.8 million), covering one anchor-handling tug supply vessel and one maintenance work vessel. The charters run for up to two years starting in 2026, with optional extensions, and will support offshore oil and gas operations in Southeast Asia.

💡One vessel has been chartered to COOEC, while the second is deployed to a regional independent oil producer. The deals increase Nam Cheong’s long-term charter coverage as it continues to expand contracted utilization across its fleet, supported by strong offshore activity in the region and tight supply of offshore support vessels.


Pakistan

A 300,000 dwt very large crude carrier, the Mali, is reported to be idle off Karachi under the Aruba flag after being listed for scrapping. The 2001-built vessel has previously been linked to sanctions-related activity and operated under the earlier name Ceres I, reflecting characteristics associated with so-called “dark fleet” shipping.

💡As Ceres I, the tanker was involved in a major collision in 2024 with the Singapore-flagged product tanker Hafnia Nilenear the eastern approaches to Singapore. The incident resulted in a large fire affecting both vessels, one fatality, and serious injuries, and has since been followed by the vessel’s reported removal from commercial service and transition toward recycling.


Singapore-South Korea

Hafnia, headquartered in Singapore, has ordered eight medium-range (MR) product tankers from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in a deal valued at about $405 million. The vessels are scheduled for delivery between the third quarter of 2028 and the second quarter of 2029 and are intended to expand the company’s fuel-efficient MR fleet.

💡The newbuild program supports a broader fleet renewal strategy in which Hafnia is replacing older vessels with more efficient tonnage to improve operating performance and earnings stability. The company, backed by BW Group, currently operates a fleet spanning multiple tanker segments and continues to modernize capacity through both disposals and newbuild orders.

South Korea

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has introduced a new vessel construction method that splits shipbuilding across two separate yards, marking a shift beyond traditional block outsourcing. Under this “half-ship” approach, entire vessels are assembled by joining large forward and aft hull sections built at different facilities before final outfitting is completed at a main yard.

The model was demonstrated with a 157,000 dwt Suezmax tanker assembled at the company’s Ulsan yard, combining a bow section built by subcontractor HSG Sungdong Shipbuilding with a stern section constructed in-house.

💡The strategy is designed to increase effective production capacity amid a record order backlog by optimizing dock usage, allowing parallel construction of multiple ships without expanding physical yard space, while other South Korean shipbuilders are also adopting varying outsourcing approaches to manage similar capacity constraints.

UK-Timor Leste

Sunda Energy has signed a letter of intent with Finder Energy to coordinate drilling plans offshore Timor-Leste, with the two companies aiming to jointly secure a semi-submersible rig and align services for upcoming exploration and appraisal campaigns. The collaboration also involves the state-linked partner Timor Gap, and is intended to improve rig availability and cost efficiency by combining multiple drilling programs into a longer, shared campaign.

💡The planned arrangement links Sunda’s Chuditch-2 appraisal well with Finder’s Kuda Tasi and Jahal field developments, extending total rig utilisation and making the programme more attractive to contractors. Drilling is now targeted for 2027, with engineering adjustments required due to the use of a deepwater-capable semi-submersible unit, while both parties continue early-stage coordination on logistics, scheduling, and regulatory extensions for their production sharing arrangements.

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Space

Space activity spans both setbacks and milestones, with commercial launch failures contrasting with advances in satellite servicing, deep-space missions, and high-resolution observation technology. Government-backed lunar exploration and orbital infrastructure programs continue to anchor long-term development momentum in the sector.

China

The maiden flight of the TL 3 heavy-lift liquid rocket developed by Beijing-based Space Pioneer ended in failure after the vehicle experienced an anomaly before reaching its intended orbital altitude and deploying its payload. The rocket launched successfully from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, but its flight deviated from planned parameters shortly after liftoff, prompting an investigation into its core systems.

💡The TL 3 is the company’s largest liquid-propellant rocket to date, designed to validate propulsion, control, and structural performance under full launch conditions as part of China’s broader push to expand commercial space capabilities. The incident follows earlier milestones by Space Pioneer in developing private orbital launch systems, and the company says it will analyze the failure before continuing further testing and development efforts.

Japan

Astroscale’s Japanese subsidiary has secured ¥1.25 billion in funding from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency under its Space Strategy Fund to advance in-orbit refueling technology. The two-year allocation is part of a broader four-year program focused on enabling electric propellant transfer services in geostationary orbit, a capability seen as important for extending satellite lifespans and improving orbital flexibility.

💡The project runs through 2028, with total support capped at ¥1.5 billion depending on progress reviews. While the near-term financial impact is expected to be limited, Astroscale anticipates the program will begin contributing to earnings from fiscal 2027 as development advances, reinforcing its expansion into on-orbit servicing and space sustainability technologies.

Japan

Astroscale Japan has outlined its ISSA-J1 mission, scheduled for 2027, which will demonstrate commercial capability to inspect multiple defunct satellites in orbit during a single flight. The spacecraft will visit two retired Japanese Earth-observation satellites, ALOS (“Daichi”) and ADEOS-II (“Midori-II”), both launched in the early 2000s and now inactive in low Earth orbit.

💡The mission will see ISSA-J1 carefully approach each satellite in sequence, starting from a safe distance before moving closer to capture detailed imagery and data on their current condition. After completing the first inspection, the spacecraft will change orbits to reach the second target, showcasing a new level of orbital mobility and supporting broader efforts in space situational awareness and satellite servicing.

Japan

Scientists in Japan have developed a highly precise X-ray telescope capable of distinguishing objects just a few millimetres wide from distances of up to a kilometre, marking a major advance in space imaging technology. The system combines ultra-precise mirror fabrication with a newly developed ground-based testing method that simulates starlight conditions to verify performance before launch on NASA-Japan FOXSI sounding rocket missions.

💡The breakthrough addresses long-standing challenges in X-ray astronomy, where observations must be conducted in space because Earth’s atmosphere blocks X-rays from reaching the surface. Built using nanometre-level mirror engineering techniques originally developed at SPring-8, the telescope successfully demonstrated its capability during FOXSI-4 and is set for further refinement in upcoming flights. Researchers say the work could pave the way for compact, high-resolution X-ray instruments on future small satellites.


USA-Canada

NASA’s Artemis II mission has returned its crew safely to Earth after completing the first human lunar flyby in more than five decades. Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego after a roughly 10-day mission that took them farther from Earth than any humans have traveled since Apollo-era flights.

The mission tested the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System under real crewed deep-space conditions, including life-support performance, manual piloting, and communications during high-stress reentry.

💡Traveling nearly 700,000 miles in total, the crew gathered imagery and scientific data during a lunar flyby and returned safely after enduring extreme reentry temperatures and a brief communications blackout, clearing a major milestone for NASA’s broader Artemis program aimed at future lunar surface missions.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: AIXTRON Bets Big on €40M Penang Chip Facility; Toyota Accelerates Hybrid Push With Factory Upgrade; Tazapay Expands Funding to Scale Global Payments; Startale Gains Fresh Capital for Blockchain Growth; Singtel Innov8 Backs Robotics Unicorn in Mega Round; StarMason Clears Path for Hyperscale AI Data Hub; Rare Earth Alliance Targets New Metals Facility; Foxconn Boosts Manufacturing With Major Investment; and DV8 Enters Digital Asset Custody With Acquisition

Environmental Sustainability: SHEIN Partners DHL to Scale Low-Emission Air Cargo; EU Commits Major Funding for Clean Energy and Transport Push; EcoCeres Launches SAF Pilot to Advance Green Aviation; Indonesia Opens Waste-to-Energy Projects to Investors; KWAP Backs District Cooling to Boost Energy Efficiency; and Umoe Expands Hydrogen Storage Production With New Facility

Aviation: ACCC Flags Rising Airfares Amid Middle East Disruptions; bp pulse Breaks Ground on EV Charging Hub at Melbourne Airport; Indonesia Reviews Airline Fuel Surcharge Hike as Costs Soar; Japan Incentivizes Tourism With Free Domestic Flights; Singapore Defers Passenger SAF Levy Amid Economic Pressures; Thailand Cuts Airfares and Adds Seats for Songkran Holiday; and World Fuel Expands Air Elite Network in Thailand and Georgia

Advanced Air Mobility: CALB Ramps Up Production of High-Density Flying Car Batteries; China Opens Major Road-Air Testing Hub for Next-Gen Mobility; DJI Patent Dispute Hits Insta360 Shares; China Eyes Drone Manufacturing Expansion With New Overseas Plant; and India Advances eVTOL Push With Indigenous Drone Production Deal

Marine: CrewDex Launches Cloud Platform to Streamline Fleet Operations; Hapag-Lloyd Signs Deals to Boost India Shipping Strategy; ePropulsion Opens Green Ship Testing Lab in South China; Eni Greenlights Major Offshore Gas Projects in Indonesia; Japan Wind Power Teams Up With GWEC to Accelerate Offshore Development; and APM Terminals Takes 49% Stake in Vietnam Deepwater Port

Space: Australia Selects Roo-ver for Moon South Pole Mission; Advanced Navigation Raises $50M to Expand Autonomous Systems; China Launches Human Space Research Program; Sustain Space Demonstrates On-Orbit Robotic Refueling; iSpace Restructures, Shifts Moon Landing to 2030; Orbital Lasers Secures $20M for Spaceborne Laser Tech; Space Compass to Deploy GEO Optical Relay Satellite; and NASA and KARI Expand Deep Space Exploration Collaboration

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Financing & Investments

Investment activity is clustering around Southeast Asia, with a strong tilt toward scaling high-tech manufacturing, digital finance, and AI-driven infrastructure as companies position for regional growth and supply chain resilience.

Germany-Malaysia

AIXTRON, a Germany-based supplier of deposition equipment for compound semiconductors, will spend €40 million ($46 million) to build a new manufacturing facility in Malaysia’s Penang region. The plant will include assembly and test operations, engineering support, and local purchasing capabilities, manufacturing some of the company’s 100/150/200 mm products primarily for customers in Asia. Operations are expected to begin in spring 2027, with first shipments anticipated in the second half of the year.

💡The company said the expansion is aimed at tapping into Southeast Asia’s semiconductor equipment ecosystem and will complement its existing facilities in Germany and the United Kingdom.



Japan-Vietnam

Toyota is investing $360 million to modernize its factory in Vietnam and establish a hybrid vehicle production line, beginning with the construction of a new office complex at its Phu Tho plant. The groundbreaking for the 8,700-square-meter facility, which includes a two-story office building, a training center with capacity for about 1,000 trainees annually, and green spaces, took place on March 26. Company officials described the project as the first phase of a broader plan to introduce Toyota’s first hybrid models assembled in Vietnam.

💡Executives said Toyota regards Vietnam as a key market in the region and has approved new investments incorporating advanced manufacturing technology.

Singapore

Tazapay, a Singapore-based payment infrastructure provider for emerging markets, has closed a Series B extension led by Circle Ventures, bringing total Series B funding to $36 million. New investors CMT Digital and Coinbase Ventures joined the round alongside existing backers including Peak XV Partners, GMO Venture Partners, and January Capital. The funding will support the company’s licensing expansion across multiple jurisdictions, accelerate go-to-market efforts in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Americas, and develop agentic payment infrastructure for AI-driven transactions.

💡Tazapay operates a regulated cross-border payments platform with licenses and registrations in Singapore, Canada, Australia, and the United States, and applications pending in the UAE, EU, and Hong Kong.

Singapore

Startale Group has completed a $63 million Series A round, following a $50 million second close from SBI Group that builds on a $13 million first close from Sony Innovation Fund in January 2026. The Singapore-based blockchain firm will use the funding to accelerate onchain infrastructure for finance, entertainment, and real-world asset adoption, scaling its Strium platform for tokenized securities and expanding adoption of JPYSC and USDSC stablecoins.

💡The company also plans to develop its Startale App into a SuperApp combining asset management, payments, and social features. SBI Group’s investment extends an existing partnership that includes Strium, a Layer 1 blockchain for tokenized securities, and JPYSC, a trust bank-backed JPY stablecoin co-developed through a joint venture announced in August 2025.


Singapore-China

Singapore-based Singtel Innov8 has backed Chinese robotics company ROBOTERA in a RMB 1 billion ($145 million) strategic funding round that valued the firm at over RMB 10 billion. The round included major new investors such as Gaocheng Capital, Woori Venture Partners, CICC Porsche Fund, and a South Korean technology company, with existing investors CDH Venture and Tsinghua Holding Tiancheng Asset Management significantly increasing their stakes.

💡The funds will accelerate technology iteration and product scale-up in e-commerce logistics, industrial manufacturing, and pharmaceutical distribution. ROBOTERA develops humanoid robots and dexterous hands largely in-house, shipping over 1,000 units in 2025 with half going to overseas markets. Cumulative orders have exceeded RMB 500 million, with clients including SF Express, Samsung, Geely, Lenovo, Haier and TCL.


Singapore-Vietnam

StarMason JSC, a joint venture between Singapore’s Sembcorp Development and Vietnam’s BB Holdings, has received investment approval for a hyperscale- and AI-ready data center campus in Ho Chi Minh City’s Saigon Hi-Tech Park. The project, the first data center development for StarMason, will be built on a 4.5-hectare site with up to 90MW of computing capacity and is designed to meet Uptime Institute Tier III standards with an ambition to achieve Tier IV classification.

💡Under Ho Chi Minh City’s investment portfolio decision for the high-tech park, priority sectors such as data centers require investments exceeding $100 million per hectare, placing the project’s minimum investment at $450 million. The approved project exceeds the park’s most recent data center investment of $250 million by local tech firm CMC.


South Korea-Australia-Vietnam

South Korea’s LS Eco Energy and Australia’s Lynas Rare Earth have entered into a framework agreement to build a rare earth metal factory in Vietnam. The facility, to be constructed by LS Eco Energy, is intended to expand Lynas’ existing operations that convert rare earth oxides into metals used in permanent magnet production.

The new site will support growing demand for rare earth metals and increase Lynas’ supply of metalized neodymium-praseodymium as well as selected heavy rare earth products including samarium, dysprosium, and terbium. The factory is expected to enter production in stages, with samarium metal as an initial priority.

💡The two companies also plan separate definitive agreements for a cross-subscription of convertible instruments valued at approximately A$30 million (US$20.9 million) each. In December 2025, LS Eco Energy announced it would invest an additional KRW28.5 billion (US$19.26 million) in its rare earth metals business in Vietnam to build processing facilities

Taiwan-Vietnam

Foxconn has invested an additional $287.1 million in its Vietnam-based subsidiary Fulian Precision Technology Component through its Singapore entity Ingrasys (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., according to a filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange. The transaction increases Foxconn’s total investment in the unit to approximately $668 million while maintaining 100 percent ownership. A similar investment of $16.2 million was made in October 2025.

💡Fulian Precision Technology, headquartered in the Quang Chau Industrial Park in northern Vietnam, manufactures communications equipment, network cards, switches, digital receivers, display cards, memory modules, routers, Wi-Fi access points, base station equipment and sensors.

Thailand

DV8 Public Company Limited, a Thailand-based media, advertising, and event management firm, has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire 100 percent of Rakkar Digital, a provider of digital asset custodial wallet services licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The transaction, subject to regulatory approvals, will make Rakkar Digital a wholly owned subsidiary. DV8 plans to inject up to 100 million baht (approximately $2.7 million) into the company to support operations and meet SEC net capital requirements, using internal working capital for the funding.

💡The acquisition is part of DV8’s strategy to expand into digital asset custody, a segment growing in Thailand’s digital finance sector.

Environmental Sustainability

Sustainability efforts continue, with growing momentum in clean energy, low-carbon transport, and circular infrastructure as both public and private players scale decarbonization solutions.

China

SHEIN has signed an agreement with DHL to adopt its GoGreen Plus service, supporting the use of sustainable aviation fuel within air cargo logistics. The service allocates lifecycle emissions reductions associated with SAF to corporate customers using internationally recognized accounting methodologies, with documentation through recognized certification frameworks.

💡The agreement builds on broader SAF-related initiatives by SHEIN, including a 2025 pilot with Atlas Air that used 187.3 tonnes of SAF across 14 charter flights, and participation in a China pilot program with Air China Cargo, CNAF, and CASRI. SHEIN has also joined the World Economic Forum-led Green Fuel Forward campaign.

EU-Vietnam

The European Union will invest €560 million ($649 million) in sustainable transport and clean energy in Vietnam. The package aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and follows the recent upgrade of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The funding includes a €200 million agreement between EIB Global and Techcombank to expand lending for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transport projects. European development banks also signed €230 million in loans with national power company EVN for the Bac Ai pumped storage hydropower plant, part of a nearly €400 million “Team Europe” financing package.

💡Additional deals cover a €23 million top-up for the Energy Transition Facility, a €20 million sustainable forest management program, and a €50 million vocational training initiative. A €40 million Sustainable Transport Facility will support public transport expansion, including railways, inland waterways, and urban mobility.


Hong Kong-Mainland China

EcoCeres has launched a sustainable aviation fuel pilot program in China called “Project Spark” in partnership with CASRI, CNAF, China Southern Airlines, Air China Cargo, Sichuan Airlines, and Huarong Chemical. SAF produced at EcoCeres’ Zhangjiagang facility was blended by CNAF and used to refuel multiple commercial flights at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport on March 16, with environmental credits transferred via the AnchorTrace platform.

💡The initiative pilots China’s independent SAF sustainability certification system, a framework for transferring Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions, and a financing model for green premiums. EcoCeres’ SAF, made from waste feedstocks, delivers up to 90 percent lifecycle emissions reduction compared to conventional jet fuel. The company already supplies SAF to international carriers including Air New Zealand, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas

Indonesia

Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund PT Danantara Investment Management has opened registration for companies seeking to become investment partners in the country’s Waste-to-Energy infrastructure program. The initiative aims to accelerate sustainable urban waste management, with the fund establishing a Verified Providers List of prequalified companies eligible to participate in Waste-to-Energy Facility Projects across Indonesia. Domestic and international firms with relevant experience may apply individually or as part of a consortium.

💡Expressions of Interest must be submitted by April 14, with the registration period running from March 25 to April 25. The fund will also hold virtual technical discussion sessions on March 26 and April 1 to accommodate participants from different regions.


Malaysia

Malaysia’s public sector pension fund KWAP is expected to commit up to MYR 190 million ($47.38 million) to Lestari Cooling Energy, a district cooling joint venture platform backed by KJTS Group and alternative investment firm Stonepeak. The funding will support the company’s strategy to develop district cooling and electricity distribution assets primarily in Malaysia.

💡District cooling systems can reduce energy consumption by up to 50 percent compared to traditional methods, supporting Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap. At full deployment, the company is expected to generate over 70,000 tCO2 in annual emissions savings.

Norway-China

Umoe Advanced Composites has started industrial production at its new manufacturing facility in Jiaxing, China, marking the first large-scale production of Type 4 composite cylinders at its largest global production base. The 12,000-square-meter facility triples the company’s global production capacity, with potential annual output of up to 20,000 cylinders, and will support production of multi-element gas containers including units for the Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia project in Australia.

💡The first MEGCs produced at the Jiaxing plant will be used for hydrogen storage, with the facility also supporting compressed natural gas applications. Located in the Yangtze River Delta, the site sits within a growing hydrogen development cluster.

Aviation

Aviation markets are navigating rising fuel costs, Middle East disruptions, and decarbonization efforts, with airlines, regulators, and service providers balancing operational resilience, regional tourism incentives, and sustainable infrastructure investment.

Australia

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), in its March 2026 domestic airline competition report,said disruptions to Middle Eastern transit hubs have reduced international services and shifted demand toward alternative routes, placing upward pressure on airfares. Fuel prices have increased amid energy market uncertainty, though Australian carriers are partially insulated by hedging, and the ACCC warned businesses against making misleading statements about price increases.

💡Domestic capacity grew 2.0 percent year-on-year in January 2026 while passenger numbers fell, with seat capacity remaining 3.3 percent below 2019 levels. Service reliability varied: Virgin Australia and Rex recorded low cancellation rates, while Jetstar’s on-time arrival rate was 67.7 percent. The Qantas Group and Virgin Australia reported strong first-half earnings, and workforce constraints persist in pilot and maintenance engineer roles.

Australia

bp pulse has broken ground on its first large-scale electric vehicle charging hub in Australia, located at Melbourne Airport and scheduled for completion in 2026. The facility will feature 24 charging bays with 150kW and 300kW chargers, two accessible bays, drive-through bays for larger vehicles, and amenities including a bathroom and canopy. The hub will be powered by 100 percent renewable electricity generated from the airport’s two onsite solar farms.

💡The project marks bp pulse’s first large-scale hub in Australia, defined as having more than eight bays. The site is expected to serve professional drivers, businesses, travelers, and locals, with Uber drivers eligible for existing EV charging discounts.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s transport ministry is reviewing a proposal from domestic airlines to increase fuel surcharges by 15 percent and raise the domestic airfare cap, as carriers face higher costs amid the Middle East conflict. The Indonesian National Air Carriers Association has requested the hikes, citing a near doubling of aviation fuel prices and a weakening rupiah that has increased dollar-denominated operational expenses.

💡The government said it will consider factors including airline finances, consumer purchasing power, and industry sustainability before making a decision. Fuel surcharges are currently set at 10 percent of the fare cap for jet aircraft and 25 percent for turboprops under 2023 regulations, while the existing fare ceiling dates to 2019. INACA also proposed temporary relief measures such as postponing value-added tax on aviation fuel and adjusting airport service fees.

Japan-Canada

Japan is using complimentary domestic flights as a tourism incentive to encourage international visitors, including Canadians, to explore regions beyond major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. Japan Airlines offers a free one-way domestic flight to travelers booking qualifying transpacific tickets from Canada, with taxes and fees still applicable, while All Nippon Airways has introduced similar offers for travelers from the UK and Europe. The initiatives aim to distribute tourism more evenly and address overtourism in marquee destinations.

💡The program aligns with Japan’s broader tourism strategy of regional revitalization and visitor dispersal, while Canadian visitors are considered a high-value market that tends to stay longer and spend more. Travel advisors note the offers reduce the cost barrier to reaching smaller airports and encourage multi-stop itineraries that support rural economies.

Singapore

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore has deferred the rollout of its planned sustainable aviation fuel levy, a world-first passenger-linked environmental charge, citing economic pressures from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The levy was originally scheduled to apply to tickets sold from April 1, 2026, for flights departing later in the year; under the revised timeline, it will apply to tickets sold from October 1, 2026, for flights departing from January 1, 2027.

💡The levy was introduced under Singapore’s Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint to fund SAF purchases and support aviation decarbonization, with a target of 1 percent SAF use on departing flights now shifted to 2027.

Thailand

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand is tightening fare monitoring and has secured agreements with six airlines to reduce ticket prices by 15–30 percent during the Songkran holiday period, alongside the addition of more than 29,000 seats. The move follows disruptions from the Middle East conflict that have constrained aviation operations and affected routes dependent on regional transit hubs.

💡Direct Thailand–Europe flights continue with altered flight paths, while passengers who previously transferred through Middle Eastern airports have shifted to direct services, leaving higher‑fare seats more commonly available.

US-Thailand

World Fuel has expanded its Air Elite network with the addition of MJets Company Limited in Thailand and Augusta Regional Airport Aviation Services in Georgia. MJets, based in Bangkok and Phuket, is one of Southeast Asia’s largest private aviation service providers, offering charter, ground handling, and maintenance, and holds IS-BAO and IS-BAH certifications.

💡Augusta Regional, located at Augusta Regional Airport (KAGS), serves business aviation traffic in the Central Savannah River Area with a 30‑acre ramp, NATA‑qualified line technicians, and guaranteed quick turns of 30 minutes or less.

Advanced Air Mobility

Advanced air mobility is gaining traction across China, with investments spanning batteries, testing infrastructure, and drone manufacturing as countries accelerate innovation and localize next-generation aviation technologies.

China

CALB has started mass production of aviation-grade batteries for Aridge, the flying car unit of Xpeng, with the first cells rolling off the line at its Chengdu plant. The high-silicon and high-nickel batteries, which feature energy density up to 360 Wh/kg and a maximum discharge rate of 25C, will power Aridge’s Land Aircraft Carrier.

💡CALB said the battery passed a 15.2-meter drop test without fire or explosion, and over 100,000 cells have been verified to meet both automotive and aviation airworthiness requirements.

China

China’s first national road-air integrated testing base has opened in Xinfeng county, Shaoguan, northern Guangdong, officially going into operation on March 20. Jointly built by five partners including the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute and GAC Group, the 573-hectare facility represents an investment of over 3.6 billion yuan and has been designated as the National Intelligent Connected Vehicle Quality Inspection and Testing Center (Guangdong) and a pilot platform for the province’s low-altitude economy.

💡The base uses a “three-in-one” architecture integrating low-altitude operations, physical test tracks, and laboratories, supporting over 100 test scenarios for autonomous vehicles and flying cars. Infrastructure includes a high-speed loop, a dynamic plaza, multiple taxiways, and vertical take-off and landing pads.

China

Shares in Arashi Vision fell 7 percent after the Insta360 camera maker was hit by a patent lawsuit filed by drone manufacturer DJI Technology. The Shenzhen-based DJI alleges that six patents involve technologies developed by former DJI employees within one year of their resignation, with the inventions closely related to tasks performed during their employment.

💡Arashi Vision said it is conducting an internal review. A person familiar with the matter noted that some inventors were listed as “requesting anonymity” in the domestic patent application but their real names were disclosed in corresponding international documents, revealing them as former DJI R&D personnel.

China-Kyrgyzstan

China is planning to build a drone manufacturing plant in Kyrgyzstan and deepen cooperation in smart agriculture following talks between Kyrgyz officials and Chinese tech firm Quanyibao. The Chinese side donated 12 UAVs to Kyrgyz authorities, intended for agricultural applications including crop protection, field monitoring, and precipitation induction.

💡Both sides are also exploring the establishment of a training center to develop local drone operation experience.

India

CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories has signed a technology transfer agreement with Chennai-based KRR Aerospace to mass produce the QPlane, an indigenous all-electric eVTOL UAV. The lightweight composite aircraft has a 20-kilometer operational range and is designed for defense surveillance, agricultural monitoring, and logistics delivery.

💡The partnership aligns with India’s “Make in India” initiative and aims to reduce dependence on imported drone components.

Marine

Maritime innovation is advancing with digitalization, green propulsion, and sustainable energy projects driving efficiency, decarbonization, and expanded regional trade capacity.

Australia

Australian startup CrewDex has launched a cloud-based Crew-as-a-Service platform designed to centralize crew management, travel logistics, and vessel operations for multi-vessel fleets. The system aims to address the maritime sector’s reliance on spreadsheets and disconnected tools by integrating recruitment, onboarding, rotations, certification tracking, and payroll-ready data into a single auditable platform.

💡The solution combines three core modules: the CrewDex Portal for crew lifecycle management, SkyNav for integrated flight bookings, and a Vessel Portal covering maintenance, safety management, and operational logs. The platform is offered on an annual subscription basis with unlimited vessel and staff access.


Germany-India

Hapag-Lloyd has signed three letters of intent with the Indian government covering vessel reflagging, ship recycling, and port development. The agreements include exploring reflagging up to four ships under the Indian registry, cooperation on ship recycling capacity aligned with EU standards with potential to handle up to 100 vessels, and discussions to support development of Vadhavan Port alongside the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority.

💡The company aims to grow India-related volumes to around 3 million TEU by 2030 as part of its strategy to expand in emerging markets.

Hong Kong-Mainland China

ePropulsion has opened the Green and Intelligent Ships Testing (GIST) Onshore Joint Debugging Laboratory in Songshan Lake, Dongguan, marking the first onshore joint debugging test platform for green and intelligent vessels in south China to be recognized by the China Classification Society. The 1,000-square-meter facility supports simulation and verification of multiple marine power system configurations, including fully electric and hybrid propulsion systems, with testing covering batteries, propulsion, power distribution, energy management, and cooling under simulated operating conditions.

💡The laboratory operates alongside a hydrodynamics facility and water application test base, enabling a process from design and simulation to onshore integration and vessel trials. ePropulsion said the platform allows companies in the Greater Bay Area to conduct CCS-aligned testing locally, shortening R&D cycles and reducing certification costs, and will be open to the industry for testing, certification support, standards development, and technical training.

Italy-Indonesia

Eni has taken final investment decisions for the Gendalo and Gandang gas project (South Hub) and the Geng North and Gehem fields (North Hub) offshore Indonesia, 18 months after development approval in 2024. The projects leverage existing infrastructure, including the Jangkrik FPU and Bontang LNG plant, and are set to deliver up to 2 bscfd of gas and 90,000 bpd of condensate at plateau in 2029.

💡The South Hub involves seven producing wells tied back to the Jangkrik FPU, while the North Hub includes 16 wells connected to a new FPSO. Total resources are nearly 10 tcf of gas and 550 million barrels of condensate. Start-up is expected in 2028, with the developments to be among assets Eni plans to contribute to a combination with Petronas.

Japan

The Japan Wind Power Association has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Global Wind Energy Council to accelerate offshore wind development in Japan. The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration to promote knowledge exchange, enhance industry and supply chain networks, and support sustainable growth in the sector.

💡Under the MOU, the organizations will facilitate business interactions through networking and trade events, organize capacity-building programs and workshops, and engage in regular dialogue to exchange best practices on offshore wind policy and regulatory frameworks.

Netherlands-Vietnam

APM Terminals has acquired a 49% stake in the Hateco Hai Phong International Container Terminal (HHIT) in northern Vietnam, becoming operating partner alongside Hateco Group following three years of joint development. The deepwater facility in Haiphong’s Lach Huyen area features two berths capable of handling vessels up to 18,000 TEU, positioning it as the largest such facility in the region with direct services linking northern Vietnam to Europe and the U.S.

💡The terminal has been selected for the Gemini Cooperation network operated by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd.

Space

Space exploration and technology are rapidly advancing, with investments spanning lunar missions, autonomous systems, satellite communications, and on-orbit servicing, highlighting global collaboration and commercialization in the sector.

Australia

NASA has selected Intuitive Machines to carry Australia’s first lunar rover, Roo-ver, to the Moon’s South Pole region in 2030 under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. The CT-4 mission will also transport additional scientific instruments to support lunar environment research.

💡Roo-ver is being developed by the ELO2 consortium with approximately $42 million in funding from the Australian Space Agency’s Moon to Mars Initiative. The rover will carry an integrated NASA payload for scientific analysis, with the mission aimed at collecting surface data to support future human exploration and long-term sustainability efforts at the lunar South Pole.

Australia

The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation is investing $50 million in Advanced Navigation as part of a $158 million Series C round that values the company at over $1 billion. The Australian firm develops autonomous navigation systems that operate when GPS signals are unavailable, using AI-based inertial navigation technology for applications including mining, defense, aerospace, and space missions.

💡The investment will support expansion of Advanced Navigation’s hardware and software design and production in Australia, commercialize locally developed intellectual property, and build supply chain resilience. The company’s systems are designed for complex environments ranging from underground mines and rough seas to lunar operations.

China

China will begin soliciting proposals on April 1 for a space human research program targeting astronaut health during future space station missions and lunar landings. The initiative aims to create a space human atlas and research database, studying microgravity effects on bones, muscles, cardiovascular function, metabolism, cognition, and aging.

💡The program builds on space medicine experiments aboard the Tiangong station. China plans a crewed lunar landing by 2030, with one taikonaut set for a mission exceeding one year this year. Previous research includes the country’s first space organ chip study and the world’s first artificial blood vessel tissue chip experiment.

China

Sustain Space, a Chinese aerospace startup, has successfully demonstrated a flexible robotic arm in orbit, completing refueling simulations aboard the Yuxing-3 06 satellite launched March 16. Tests included autonomous, ground-controlled, and vision-guided refueling simulations, with the flexible continuum arm developed by Tsinghua University’s Shenzhen International Graduate School achieving precise docking at altitude.

💡The Suzhou-based company said the test advances on-orbit servicing capabilities for China’s commercial space sector. China previously launched the Shijian-25 satellite in January 2025 to verify satellite fuel replenishment technologies.

Japan

iSpace has delayed its first NASA-supported moon landing from 2027 to 2030 as part of a strategic shift to focus on lunar orbiter development. The Tokyo-based company cited a restructuring of its lander programs in Japan and the United States, with CEO Jumpei Nozaki stating that the company aims to secure a larger role in NASA’s Artemis program as the only private firm outside the U.S. with moon landing technology.

💡The company plans to launch five lunar orbiters by 2030 to provide telecommunications, navigation, and surface observation services. Its third lunar landing mission remains scheduled for 2028 under Japan’s commercial space program using a new lander. iSpace has faced two failed landing attempts, losses, and a declining share price since its 2023 stock market listing, and expects to trim its global workforce of approximately 300 employees as part of the restructuring.

Japan

SKY Perfect JSAT’s carve-out startup Orbital Lasers has raised ¥3.02 billion ($20 million) in a Series A round, bringing cumulative equity financing to ¥3.92 billion since its seed round. The company, which develops spaceborne laser systems, will transition from a consolidated subsidiary to an equity-method affiliate within the SKY Perfect JSAT Group, allowing faster decision-making and greater operational flexibility.

💡SKY Perfect JSAT will continue collaborating with Orbital Lasers to combine its satellite operations expertise with the startup’s advanced laser technologies, aiming to create new value in space optical communications and expand business opportunities in high-growth sectors. The funding round included a third-party allotment of new shares and issuance of J-KISS convertible instruments.

Japan-Switzerland

Space Compass Corporation, a joint venture between NTT and SKY Perfect JSAT, has agreed to purchase a GEO optical data relay satellite from Swiss manufacturer SWISSTo12. The compact HummingSat will support Space Compass’ planned optical data relay service, designed to enable real-time transmission of Earth observation data by connecting low-Earth orbit satellites with ground networks via geostationary orbit.

💡The system aims to eliminate delays in accessing satellite imagery, with potential applications in disaster response, maritime surveillance, and secure communications.

US-South Korea

NASA and the Korea AeroSpace Administration have expanded joint research into L4 and deep space exploration, holding their second bilateral team meeting from March 24 to 27 at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. The collaboration follows a September 2024 agreement focused on Sun-Earth Lagrange point 4 exploration, with cooperation now extending to areas including deep space optical communication.

💡The joint efforts aim to advance space weather observation and space radiation research, with L4 considered a promising vantage point for evaluating solar activity when combined with existing observation points at L1 and L5.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

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Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

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Summary

Financing & Investments: China Leads Industry 4.0 Adoption as Europe Falls Behind; Malaysia Secures $22.35 Billion in Digital Investments for 2025; Carsome Raises $30 Million to Expand AI-Powered Auto Platform; Datakrew Closes $2.6 Million for EV Battery Intelligence; Video Rebirth Lands $80 Million for AI Video Generation; Dtcpay Raises $10 Million to Scale Stablecoin Payments; Gobi Partners Eyes Vietnam’s National VC Fund; and SmartSolar Adds Debt Funding to Reach $3.15 Million.

Environmental Sustainability: COP30 Report Outlines $1.3 Trillion Climate Finance Roadmap; HKTDC GreenBiz HK Forum Draws 550 Delegates; Sovereign Wealth Fund Opens Registration for Waste-to-Energy Partners; TNB and TM Partner on Green Energy and EV Charging; Virdalis Raises $700,000 for Duckweed-Based Animal Feed Protein; Digital Edge Secures $665 Million Green Loan for AI-Ready Data Center; and Joint Framework Develops Green Jobs Statistical Indicators.

Aviation: Moisture Absorption Identified as Key Driver of Composite Degradation; Productivity Commission Probes Regional Airfare Affordability; Passenger Traffic Surpasses 2019 Levels but Airport Revenues Lag; EASA Flags Safety Lapses in Air India Fleet; and Ericsson and VNPT Partner on Airport Mobile Infrastructure

Advanced Air Mobility: Aridge Raises $200 Million to Scale Modular eVTOL Vehicle; Sino Jet Completes Inaugural Low-Altitude Flight in Hangzhou; and EHang Signs MOU with Thai Partners to Deploy eVTOL Networks

Marine: Hapag-Lloyd Signs Three MOUs to Expand Indian Shipping Presence; IEA Releases Demand-Side Measures Amid Middle East Oil Disruption; MSC Acquires 50 Percent Stake in Sinokor Maritime; Chartwell Marine and Japanese Shipbuilders Partner on Offshore Wind Vessels; and UC Berkeley Study Highlights Japan’s Port Decarbonization Leadership

Space: Shenzhou 21 Crew Completes Second Spacewalk; Tiangong Astronauts Harvest Space-Grown Tomatoes; Ground-Based Space Station Operational After 20 Years; Wukong Satellite Maps Forbush Decrease Events; HKUST and Southeast University Forge Space Robotics Alliance; Dawn Aerospace Tests Radar Tracking With Defense Forces; Starlink Draft Pricing Released for Vietnam Market; and Vietnam Opens $266 Million National Space Center

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Financing & Investments

Capital is flowing decisively toward AI-driven platforms and digital infrastructure across Southeast Asia, with Malaysia emerging as a digital investment hub, while China’s manufacturing digitization outpaces legacy industrial economies in Europe.

Germany-China

A global study on industrial digitalization finds that China is leading in next-generation manufacturing adoption, while parts of Europe are falling behind due to legacy systems and structural challenges.

The Industry 4.0 Barometer 2026, conducted by German consultancy MHP, surveyed over 1,200 industrial companies and found overall digitalization adoption rose from 48 percent in 2022 to 66 percent in 2026, with China at 72 percent and the United States at 69 percent, compared to 57 percent in the DACH region of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

💡The report highlights widening gaps in technologies such as digital twins and artificial intelligence, with China reporting 84 percent adoption of digital twins in logistics and 71 percent AI usage, while the DACH region logged 42 percent and 37 percent respectively. The study notes that fragmented data systems and reliance on legacy IT infrastructure continue to hinder transformation in Europe, where AI adoption often remains limited to pilot projects.

Malaysia

Malaysia secured MYR 87.4 billion ($22.35 billion) in approved digital investments in 2025, driven largely by artificial intelligence, big data, data centers and cloud services, according to the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation. The investments, sourced from over 600 digital status companies, are expected to generate more than 31,000 high-value jobs and contributed significantly to the broader MYR 152.9 billion in approved investments reported for the information and communication sub-sector.

💡Domestic investors accounted for the largest share at MYR 36.66 billion, followed by Singapore, the United States and China. Digital minister Gobind Singh Deo described the results as validation of the country’s national digital strategy, while MDEC CEO Anuar Fariz Fadzil noted that AI-related roles accounted for over 12,600 of the projected jobs, reflecting a shift toward higher-value, AI-led growth as Malaysia works toward its goal of becoming an AI Nation by 2030.


Malaysia

e-commerce platform Carsome Group Inc. has secured a strategic investment round exceeding $30 million, drawing participation from both new and existing backers including the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC), Gobi Partners, and Asia Partners. The capital will support initiatives in supply chain sourcing and the application of data and artificial intelligence to accelerate the firm’s regional expansion strategy.

💡The partnership aims to strengthen ties between Southeast Asia and Greater China, leveraging Hong Kong’s role as a regional gateway for automotive technology and talent.

Singapore

Deep-tech company Datakrew has raised $2.6 million in a Pre-Series A funding round to expand its electric vehicle battery intelligence platform globally. The round was led by Greenwillow Capital Management, with participation from existing investors including Beenext, 500 Global, and SEEDS, as the company aims to scale its OXRED MyFleet platform and AI-driven analytics across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

💡The company, which has tracked over 10,000 battery assets across seven countries, will use the capital to advance its OXRED GuardianAI and OXRED InsurShield products while expanding its leadership team.

Singapore

AI video startup Video Rebirth has closed an $80 million funding round, including a $30 million extension that built upon an initial $50 million raised in November. The round drew participation from AMD Ventures, Hyundai, and a coalition of venture capital firms across Asia.

💡The company stated that the fresh capital will be used to accelerate commercialization of its video generation products and drive global market expansion.

Singapore

Singapore-based digital payments company dtcpay has raised $10 million in a Series A funding round led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India. The company said the capital will support product enhancements, strengthen infrastructure, and expand operations across newly licensed jurisdictions, with a focus on entering the European market through its Luxembourg Electronic Money Institution license.

The firm bridges digital assets with traditional finance, enabling transactions in stablecoins for everyday use, and holds payment licenses in Singapore, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Australia, the United States, and Canada

Vietnam

Malaysia and Hong Kong-based venture capital firm Gobi Partners has expressed interest in investing in Vietnam, including the country’s newly established national VC fund, during a meeting with Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan in Hanoi. The fund, created under Decree 264/2025, launched with an initial state budget contribution of VND500 billion ($19.1 million) and has the capacity to grow to VND2,000 billion over five years with additional contributions.

💡Gobi Co-Founder and Chair Thomas G. Tsao led the delegation, which also discussed potential collaboration in startup incubation across semiconductors, artificial intelligence, big data, and new energy, along with sandbox initiatives for robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Vietnam

Vietnamese rooftop solar provider SmartSolar has raised additional debt funding, bringing its total capital raised to $3.15 million across equity and debt, as the company looks to expand its financing offerings for small and medium-sized businesses. The latest financing includes a $300,000 loan from Switzerland’s SECO Startup Fund, which may also unlock a further $1 million debt facility from a German travel firm.

💡The company previously secured $1.85 million in seed funding, and it noted that the current round reflects a move toward debt-based financing as it grows. SmartSolar installs and maintains rooftop solar systems with no upfront cost for clients, offering long-term contracts at rates below standard grid electricity prices. It plans to grow its presence in southern Vietnam and explore opportunities in neighboring markets.

Environmental Sustainability

From sovereign wealth funds to corporate partnerships, sustainability financing is scaling up across Southeast Asia—spanning waste-to-energy infrastructure, green data centers, alternative proteins, and labor market data systems.

Global

The UN Climate Change released the executive report of the COP30 conference on March 19, outlining key outcomes and next steps following the meeting held in Belém in November 2025, where nearly all countries adopted 56 decisions by consensus. The report highlights strategic roadmaps introduced by the COP30 Presidency, including plans to transition away from fossil fuels in a just manner and to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030.

💡The initiative also advances the Baku to Belém Roadmap aimed at mobilizing $1.3 trillion in climate finance to support developing countries, while reinforcing the Global Climate Action Agenda and launching the Global Implementation Accelerator to mobilize governments, private sector actors, and civil society.


Hong Kong-Thailand

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) launched its GreenBiz HK campaign in Bangkok, featuring a forum that drew more than 550 government and business representatives from Thailand to discuss green finance, green technology, supply chains and sustainable smart city development.

💡The campaign, part of the Economic and Trade Express platform supporting SMEs and startups, also included networking sessions and business matching. A Hong Kong Green Team delegation held meetings with Thai organizations such as the Thai Green Building Institute and the Eastern Economic Corridor Office to explore potential collaborations in sustainability and low-carbon construction.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund, PT Danantara Investment Management (DIM), has opened registration for companies to apply as potential investment partners in its Waste-to-Energy infrastructure program. The fund is establishing a Verified Providers List to prequalify firms for Waste-to-Energy Facility Projects across the country, with expressions of interest due by April 14 and full registrations accepted through April 25.

💡The initiative aims to accelerate urban waste management under the government’s framework for converting waste into energy using eco-friendly technologies. Eligible applicants include domestic and international firms with relevant experience, which may apply individually or as part of a consortium; DIM will also host virtual technical discussion sessions on March 26 and April 1.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Telekom Malaysia (TM) have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on green energy solutions and the development of smarter, more interconnected energy and telecommunications infrastructure.

The partnership aims to combine the utility firm’s renewable energy expertise with the telecom company’s digital infrastructure capabilities, with initial plans including solar system installations at up to 150 TM premises and the expansion of electric vehicle charging networks.

Singapore

Biotechnology firm Virdalis has raised $700,000 in pre-seed funding led by Wavemaker Impact to develop a protein ingredient for the global animal feed industry using Wolffia globosa, commonly known as duckweed. The company plans to scale pilot production systems, expand its technical team, and pursue commercial agreements with feed manufacturers across Southeast Asia.

💡The global animal feed protein market faces supply chain vulnerabilities due to concentrated production in a limited number of countries, according to the company, which is developing cultivation and processing systems that can operate without reliance on arable land or specific climate conditions. Wavemaker Impact noted that duckweed’s biological characteristics could allow countries to produce feed protein domestically, turning feed security from a trade dependency into a sovereign capability.

Singapore-Indonesia

Singapore-based data center operator Digital Edge has closed a $665 million green loan to fund the first phase of its 500MW CGK Campus in Bekasi, Indonesia, a $4.5 billion multi-phase project and one of the country’s largest AI-ready hyperscale data center developments. The transaction, structured under the company’s Green Financing Framework, marks the largest green loan secured for a data center project in Indonesia, according to the firm.

💡The financing was led by a group of international and regional banks including BNP Paribas, DBS, Mizuho, OCBC, and PT Bank Central Asia Tbk. The CGK campus is being designed to target a power usage effectiveness of 1.25 and LEED certification, incorporating recycled water systems and renewable energy as part of Digital Edge’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

Vietnam-Denmark

Vietnam is developing a national framework for green jobs statistical indicators in collaboration with Denmark, aimed at supporting the country’s transition toward a green economy. A counsellor at the Danish Embassy in Hanoi noted that a reliable national data system is essential for Vietnam’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, requiring integrated data across environmental, economic, energy, and labor sectors.

💡The framework was developed by Vietnam’s National Institute for Economic and Financial Policy and the General Statistics Office, with pilot surveys conducted in Quang Ninh and Phu Tho provinces.

Aviation

As passenger volumes outpace pre-pandemic highs, the sector grapples with lingering financial strain, regulatory enforcement gaps, and the urgent need to modernize ground infrastructure to support future growth.

Australia

New research from Monash University and RMIT has identified moisture absorption as the primary driver of long-term degradation in aircraft-grade carbon fibre composites, addressing a long-standing uncertainty in aerospace engineering. The study, published in Composites Part A, found that the amount of moisture a composite absorbs over time is the key factor in predicting structural performance, rather than the specific temperature or humidity conditions of the operating environment.

💡The findings suggest that accelerated aging methods used in aerospace testing can still reliably predict long-term performance, provided moisture content is properly understood and controlled. The research also revealed that the internal arrangement of fibres plays a decisive role in how materials resist degradation, pointing toward opportunities for designing composite structures with greater long-term environmental durability.

Australia

Australia’s Productivity Commission has held a consultation session with members of the Pilbara Chamber of Commerce and Industry as part of its ongoing inquiry into regional airfares. Commissioners Martin Stokie and Catherine de Fontenay met with local businesses to discuss the impact of flight costs, service reliability, and the effect on access to essential services and family connections in remote communities.

💡The inquiry, launched in October 2025, is examining factors influencing airfare pricing and availability for passenger flights to and from areas outside major cities. The Commission has opened a first round of submissions, which closed on March 15, and is developing policy recommendations aimed at supporting a competitive, reliable, and affordable regional aviation network.

Global

Global passenger traffic reached 9.4 billion in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 4 percent, though airport revenues have yet to fully recover, according to a new report from Airports Council International World. Total global airport revenues stood at $194.9 billion for the year, remaining 2.1 percent below 2019 levels in real terms, with aeronautical revenues 3 percent below and non-aeronautical revenues 9 percent below pre-pandemic benchmarks.

💡The report notes that while revenues are expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels from 2026 onward, the pace of recovery will depend on financing conditions, regulatory frameworks, and broader economic factors. Global return on invested capital rose to 6.3 percent in 2024 but remains below the sector’s weighted average cost of capital, which ACI World’s director general said highlights the financial pressures airports continue to face and the need for supportive regulatory frameworks to enable infrastructure investment.


India-Europe

European aviation authorities have identified safety lapses in Air India aircraft following surprise inspections under the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft program. Inspections showed the ratio of safety issues per inspection for the airline’s aircraft reached 1.96 in January, a level considered a warning threshold that can lead to heightened scrutiny or operational restrictions.

💡India’s aviation regulator responded by imposing corrective measures and increasing inspections of aircraft scheduled for international operations, with only compliant aircraft cleared for service. The ratio has since improved to 1.76, though it remains above levels typical for airlines with strong safety performance.


Sweden-Vietnam

Ericsson and Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) have announced a partnership to deliver next-generation mobile infrastructure for major airport projects in Vietnam, marking their first collaboration in the airport industry. The Swedish telecommunications company stated that the initiative supports Vietnam’s digital transformation efforts.

💡VNPT will deploy Ericsson’s radio and RAN Compute solutions to provide high-capacity coverage for dense indoor environments such as airport terminals, along with multi-band support for international travelers.

Advanced Air Mobility

China’s advanced air mobility sector is moving from certification to commercial operations, with significant capital injections and cross-border partnerships signaling a push to export eVTOL infrastructure and operational models to Southeast Asia.

China

Aridge, a subsidiary of Xpeng, has raised nearly $200 million in an equity financing round with participation from Hillhouse Capital, HongShan, Gaorong Ventures, and Fortune Capital. The company stated that its cumulative equity funding has reached nearly $1 billion, positioning it as the most funded company in Asia’s manned electric vertical takeoff and landing sector.

💡The new capital will support commercialization of the Land Aircraft Carrier, a modular vehicle with a detachable air module designed to connect to a six-wheeled ground module for storage and road travel. Production is set to take place at a facility in Guangzhou with a reported annual capacity of up to 10,000 air modules. Aridge, formerly known as Xpeng AeroHT, rebranded in October 2025 as part of its globalization strategy.

China

Sino Jet’s Zhejiang Low-Altitude Mobility Company has completed its inaugural flight, operating a helicopter from the ONE53 landmark in Hangzhou’s Qianjiang New City to Fuchun Resort in approximately 10 minutes—a trip that typically takes 90 minutes by road. The company stated that the flight marks its transition from qualification preparation to substantive operations as it extends its business aviation expertise into the low-altitude mobility sector.

💡The subsidiary secured a CCAR Part 135 Air Operator Certificate and operating license from China’s civil aviation authority in January 2026. Sino Jet has also signed a firm purchase agreement for 50 AE200 eVTOL aircraft from Aerofugia, which the company describes as the largest publicly disclosed firm commercial eVTOL order in China to date. The group plans to develop similar three-dimensional mobility connections in other regions, including central and western China, the Greater Bay Area, and Hainan.


China-Thailand

EHang’s management team met with high-level Thai government officials in Bangkok on March 19 to discuss the deployment of the company’s eVTOL aircraft across multiple applications. The discussions focused on using the technology to alleviate urban traffic congestion, enhance emergency medical response, and improve connectivity in remote areas. The Ministry of Transport stated it would support efforts to introduce the technology and direct the aviation authority to accelerate related regulations.

💡Following the meeting, EHang signed a memorandum of understanding with Bangkok Land, Aerial Sea Thailand, and China Harbour Engineering Thailand to jointly explore urban air mobility solutions covering passenger transport, logistics, emergency response, and medical rescue services. Thai officials acknowledged trial operations conducted by EHang in China as a reference for developing local regulations.

Marine

Maritime markets are being reshaped by strategic consolidation—MSC’s stealth tanker fleet expansion, Hapag-Lloyd’s deepening India footprint—while energy security concerns and port decarbonization efforts gain urgency amid geopolitical disruptions.

Germany-India

German container carrier Hapag-Lloyd has signed three letters of intent with the Indian government covering vessel reflagging, ship recycling, and port development, as the company looks to expand its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing shipping markets. The agreements, finalized following discussions between the carrier’s chief executive and India’s shipping minister, include exploring the reflagging of up to four vessels under the Indian registry, pending further commercial and regulatory reviews.

The framework also involves cooperation on expanding India’s ship recycling capacity with an eye toward EU standards, and discussions on supporting the development of Vadhavan Port alongside the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority.


Global

The International Energy Agency has set out a range of demand-side measures that governments, businesses and households can implement to ease economic pressures from oil market disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The war has triggered what the agency called the largest supply disruption in global oil market history, with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz reduced to a trickle and crude oil prices surpassing $100 per barrel, alongside sharp increases in diesel, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas.

The IEA report outlines ten measures focused primarily on road transport, which accounts for roughly 45 percent of global oil demand, while also addressing aviation, cooking, and industry. Recommended actions include working from home where possible, reducing highway speed limits, encouraging public transport, alternating private vehicle access in large cities, and diverting LPG use away from transport to preserve supplies for essential applications such as cooking.

💡The agency noted that while demand-side measures cannot fully offset the scale of disrupted supply, they can help lower costs for consumers and reduce market strains until normal flows resume.


Switzerland-South Korea

Public filings in Cyprus and Greece have confirmed that Mediterranean Shipping Company, through its SAS Shipping Agencies Services division, has acquired a 50 percent ownership stake in South Korean operator Sinokor Maritime.Sinokor, previously solely owned by founder Ga-Hyun Chung, emerged as the buyer in a tanker purchasing spree beginning in late 2025, with Forbes reporting that corporate records identified 11 tankers registered to an MSC-linked company and sources estimating total tanker acquisitions at 76 vessels or more.

💡The partnership positions the combined entity to control a significant share of the VLCC market, with Bloomberg estimating eventual control of approximately 150 supertankers and a 40 percent market share, while other analysts put the figure closer to 25 percent. The move follows MSC’s pattern of using SAS to enter new segments, including the 2024 acquisition of Gram Car Carriers.

UK-Japan

UK-based ship designer Chartwell Marine and the Cooperative Association of Japan Shipbuilders, an industry organization representing 59 Japanese shipyards, have signed a memorandum of understanding to support the development and local construction of vessels for Japan’s offshore wind industry. The collaboration will focus on crew transfer vessels and service operation vessels based on Chartwell’s conceptual designs, which were previously introduced in Japan through a Nippon Foundation-supported program led by the association.

💡Under the agreement, the association will facilitate communication between domestic stakeholders and Chartwell to support shipowners, operators, and yards on vessel projects and early-stage design development. The partnership aims to help meet local content requirements as Japan’s offshore wind sector expands, with potential future extension to other vessel types including battery-powered and hybrid high-speed passenger vessels.

US-Japan

A new analysis from the University of California, Berkeley examines Japan’s Carbon Neutral Port certification framework and the Port of Yokohama’s decarbonization plan, highlighting the country’s approach to reducing maritime emissions amid regulatory uncertainty at the International Maritime Organization. The study, commissioned by Pacific Environment and authored by the director of UC Berkeley’s Environment Center, notes that Japan’s CNP program sets benchmarks for terminal emissions reductions, while Yokohama’s initiative includes 121 projects ranging from harbor craft electrification to next-generation marine fuels.

The analysis offers recommendations for strengthening Japan’s port decarbonization efforts, including making shore power a mandatory requirement for higher certification levels, enhancing electric power infrastructure planning, and shortening the certification revision cycle from five years to two or three years.

💡For Yokohama, the study suggests providing more detail on hydrogen infrastructure plans and expanding emissions inventories to include ocean-going vessels and trucking operations. The report notes that ports across Asia, including in China, South Korea, and Singapore, are advancing similar decarbonization strategies, positioning the region as a growing force in maritime emissions reduction.

Space

Across the region, space programs are shifting from foundational infrastructure to operational maturity—marked by China’s sustained orbital activity and advanced ground-based testing, Vietnam’s emergence as a space player through international partnerships, and New Zealand’s push for sovereign aerospace capacity.

China

Two astronauts from China’s Shenzhou 21 mission completed a roughly seven-hour spacewalk on March 16, installing debris shielding on the exterior of the Tiangong space station. Commander Zhang Lu and crewmate Wu Fei carried out the work outside the Wentian experiment module, with support from a third astronaut inside the station, ground teams, and the station’s robotic arm.

💡The space station remains permanently occupied, with China planning to launch the Shenzhou 23 and Shenzhou 24 crewed missions along with a Tianzhou cargo spacecraft later this year. The next-generation Mengzhou crew capsule could also make its first visit to Tiangong in the coming months following a successful test in February.

China

Astronauts aboard China’s Tiangong space station have harvested a crop of cherry tomatoes grown in an aeroponic cultivation system, which uses a nutrient mist to significantly reduce water consumption compared to soil-based or hydroponic methods. Footage released by state media showed the produce being displayed inside a box-like growing environment equipped with a full-spectrum LED panel and monitoring windows for observing root development.

💡The experiment is intended to inform long-duration deep-space missions by demonstrating how crews could grow their own food. Similar research has been conducted on the International Space Station, where astronauts have grown tomatoes and other crops for years, with benefits ranging from nutritional self-sufficiency to psychological well-being.


China

A major aerospace research facility in northeastern China, known as the “ground-based space station,” has become operational after nearly two decades of development, offering the ability to simulate nine types of extreme space conditions within a single environment. The Space Environment Simulation and Research Infrastructure, developed by Harbin Institute of Technology and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and completed in 2024, can replicate coupled factors such as radiation and ultra-low temperatures, setting it apart from single-factor simulators commonly used elsewhere.

The facility has supported testing for more than 2,000 aerospace components and over 10 major space mission models, with commercial spaceflight experiments accounting for 67 percent of missions conducted by late 2025. Open to international partners through initiatives such as the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization, the infrastructure has served more than 200 user organizations and delivered over 60,000 hours of testing services.

💡Officials said the facility will continue advancing higher-precision simulation capabilities to support future missions including crewed lunar landings and Mars sample returns.

China

Chinese scientists have used data from the Dark Matter Particle Explorer satellite, known as Wukong, to precisely measure eight Forbush decrease events involving electrons and positrons, marking the first time the behavioral characteristics of these particles during both the decline and recovery phases have been detailed. Forbush decreases refer to temporary reductions in cosmic ray flux following coronal mass ejections, which alter the magnetic environment of interplanetary space.

💡The research team analyzed observational data collected from 2016 to 2024 and published the findings in Physical Review Letters. Wukong, China’s first spaceborne dark matter detection satellite launched in December 2015, offers high energy resolution and strong particle identification capabilities that provided distinct advantages for the study.


Hong Kong-Mainland China

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s Space Robotics and Energy Centre has signed a memorandum of understanding with Southeast University to establish a long-term strategic partnership focused on space robotics, deep space energy systems, and embodied intelligence. The agreement, formalized during a visit by a Nanjing municipal delegation to HKUST’s campus, aims to advance research innovation, technology transfer, and talent cultivation in support of China’s aerospace ambitions.

💡The collaboration builds on an existing partnership established in 2024, including joint participation in the Hong Kong Operation Robot project for the Chang’e 8 mission. The two institutions will combine HKUST’s strengths in AI, robotics, and advanced materials with Southeast University’s expertise in mechanical engineering, instrumentation, and energy systems to address challenges such as autonomous space robotics and space energy management, while also exploring civilian applications for high-end manufacturing and smart city development.


New Zealand

New Zealand-based Dawn Aerospace has completed a trial with the country’s defense forces to test radar tracking of its suborbital spaceplane. The exercise involved flying the Aurora from a national aerospace center while a naval frigate used its onboard radar to monitor the vehicle, allowing domestic collection of performance data without the use of overseas test ranges.

💡The effort marks an initial step in applying reusable rocket-powered vehicles for repeatable high-speed flight profiles, with future versions of the spaceplane intended to exceed Mach 3.5 and altitudes above 100 kilometers. Conducting such tests locally supports New Zealand’s development of sovereign aerospace capabilities and retains related investment within the country.


US-Vietnam

Vietnam’s Telecommunications Authority has released draft pricing for Starlink’s satellite Internet services, showing a monthly fee of $85 and a one-time equipment cost of $350, though the company has not yet announced an official start date. The proposed rates are similar to those in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa, but exceed current local fiber optic costs of approximately $11.40 per month and 4G or 5G mobile plans ranging from $3.80 to $11.40.

💡Starlink Services Vietnam received its operating license in February, with initial capacity set at four gateways and no more than 600,000 terminal units, a fraction of the country’s roughly 25 million Internet users.

Vietnam-Japan

Vietnam inaugurated its National Space Center on March 13, a nine-hectare facility developed with Japanese official development assistance at a total investment of VND7,000 billion ($266 million). The center includes an operations hub, satellite data and research facilities, a ground system with a 9.3-meter antenna, and a human resources development unit, with the aim of building infrastructure for Earth observation satellite technology and training a skilled workforce.

💡Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam aims to reach a moderately advanced level in space science and technology in Southeast Asia by 2030 and strengthen self-reliance in satellite technology beyond that year. He also called for the launch of the LOTUSat-1 Earth observation satellite, jointly developed with Japan, by late 2027 following delays caused by a rocket failure, and urged expanded collaboration between Vietnamese and Japanese institutions in the space sector.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: AirTrunk Opens Singapore HQ; AirTrunk Secures JP¥191.6 Billion Green Loan in Japan; Accelerated Infrastructure Capital to Develop $2.1B AI Data Center in Vietnam; Bursa Malaysia Seeks Feedback on Digital Currency ETF Rules; CUSTA Raises $4.3M in Pre-Series A; PDG Plans Up to $5B in Debt Financing; MetaComp Completes Pre-A+ Round Backed by Alibaba; Empyrean Sky Partners Announces $90M First Close; KAST Raises $80M in Series A; and Cooler Master Invests $200M in Vietnam

Environmental Sustainability: Sydney Airport Research Supports SAF Development; ISCC Partners with OMV and Airbus on SAF Ecosystem; Re Sustainability and Indian Oil to Launch Lubricant Recycling Program; CTDC, BGMC, and reNIKOLA Sign Green Energy Term Sheet; and Equator Renewables Asia Raises S$50M for Indonesian Project

Aviation: Qantas Agrees to $105M Settlement Over Flight Credits; Report Details Slot Utilization at Sydney Airport; IATA Rolls Out Three AI Initiatives for Air Cargo; IndiGo CEO Resigns Following Major Operational Failure; Bharat Forge Inaugurates Landing Gear Facility with Liebherr; and Air New Zealand to Cancel Roughly 1,100 Flights

Advanced Air Mobility: Eve Partners for eVTOL Operations in Australia; EHang Reports First GAAP-Profitable Quarter; EHang Partners with Türk Telekom for AAM in Türkiye; WEF Releases 10-Step Strategy for AAM in India; Japan Identifies 61 Priority Tech Targets Including AI and Robotics; and SkyDrive Signs LOI with Aeroauto for U.S. eVTOL Sales

Marine: ILO and BIMCO Launch Pilot Injury Scheme for Bangladesh Ship Recycling; ONE Boosts Stake in Seaspan Holding Company; Singapore Offshore Wind Sector Set for Rapid Workforce Growth; Seatrium Secures Contract for FSRU Conversion from Karpowership; and US Treasury Issues One-Month OFAC License Easing Crude Voyages

Space: China Plans Series of Deep-Space Exploration Missions; Dassai Sake Fermented Aboard ISS Returns to Japan; South Korea to Test Domestically Developed Space Technologies on Nuri Launch; Taiwan Mobile and Telkomsel Sign Satellite and HAPS Connectivity Agreements; and Vietnam Inaugurates Space Centre at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park

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Financing & Investments

Capital deployment in the region is heavily concentrated on enabling infrastructure for AI and digital finance, with cross-border investments and large-scale debt financing playing a central role.

Australia-Singapore

Australia-based hyperscale data center operator AirTrunk has opened a new regional headquarters in Singapore at the Ocean Financial Centre. The office, located in a BCA Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy building, will house senior executives and teams across design, development, operations, treasury, legal and corporate functions.

💡Since 2016, AirTrunk has committed several billion dollars in direct investment across three Singapore hyperscale data centers with a combined 180MW of information technology load.The company also secured a S$2.25 billion ($1.76 billion) green loan in 2025 to finance its second Singapore facility, SGP2, representing the country’s largest data center loan and green loan at the time.

Australia-Japan

AirTrunk has secured a JP¥191.6 billion ($1.24 billion) green loan to refinance and expand its TOK1 hyperscale data center campus in East Tokyo. The financing, the largest data center deal in Japan, will fund additional capacity at TOK1—scalable to over 300MW—to support growing cloud and artificial intelligence workloads.

💡The loan is structured under AirTrunk’s Green Financing Framework and was led by SMBC, MUFG, Crédit Agricole CIB, and Société Générale, with 12 banks acting as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners.

Hong Kong-Vietnam

Hong Kong-based Accelerated Infrastructure Capital will co-develop a $2.1 billion AI data center in Ho Chi Minh City with KinhBac City Development Holding Corporation, a leading industrial real estate developer in Vietnam. The two parties signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, with groundbreaking scheduled for April 30 and capital expected to be fully deployed by the end of the first quarter of 2027.

💡The first phase will feature a 50MW AI facility, equivalent to 28,000 GPUs, providing high-performance computing capacity for clients domestically and internationally.


Malaysia

Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad has issued a consultation paper seeking public feedback on proposed rule amendments to support the listing and trading of digital currency exchange-traded funds on the exchange. The move follows a revision by Securities Commission Malaysia to its ETF guidelines, which now allow digital currency ETFs to be offered under an enhanced regulatory framework. The products are designed to give investors regulated and transparent exposure to digital currencies through established capital market instruments.

💡The proposed amendments to the Main Market Listing Requirements and Bursa Malaysia Securities directives focus on strengthening disclosure and investor safeguards. Measures include requiring additional material information disclosures for digital currency ETFs in immediate announcements and annual reports, as well as a mandatory risk disclosure statement highlighting key risks that investors must acknowledge before investing.

Malaysia

CUSTA has raised approximately $4.3 million in a Pre-Series A round co-led by Delight Ventures and Global Brain. The funding will support platform development, key talent hiring, and marketing expansion to grow its customer base in Malaysia and Singapore.

💡The company targets the corporate gifting, events, and branding sector, addressing challenges such as unclear pricing, fragmented sourcing, and small-lot production difficulties. CUSTA is also advancing AI-driven operations across customer service, creative production, planning, and logistics to enhance speed, predictability, and scalability.

Singapore

Princeton Digital Group plans to raise up to $5 billion in debt financing to support its expanding hyperscale data center platform across Asia. The company operates in seven markets with a total portfolio exceeding 1.8 GW, and the financing will fund both contracted capacity and new campus development.

💡As part of this plan, PDG closed a $350 million debt tranche, expanding a $400 million HoldCo loan from May 2025 to a total $750 million facility. The consolidated facility has been converted into a sustainability-linked loan, with pricing tied to operational and sustainability performance targets. The $350 million tranche was secured from a consortium of global banks including Barclays, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, SMBC, Société Générale, and Standard Chartered.

Singapore

MetaComp Pte. Ltd. has completed its Pre-A+ funding round backed by Alibaba Group, bringing total capital raised to $35 million across two rounds in three months. The financing will support the development of MetaComp’s unified Web2.5 payments and wealth platform, which integrates stablecoin and fiat payment capabilities with securities and real-world asset token wealth management through its licensed affiliate Alpha Ladder Finance Pte. Ltd..

💡The funding round also included Spark Venture and other institutional investors, with 100Summit Partners as exclusive financial adviser. Capital will be used to expand the StableX Network across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, and to develop an Agent-Skills-MCP architecture supporting Web2.5 services.

Singapore

Empyrean Sky Partners has completed a $90 million first close for its $200 million Global Technology Fund, marking the fastest first close of 2026. The fund targets growth-stage companies at the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced manufacturing, aiming to accelerate innovations that enhance industrial productivity and technology deployment. It is co-managed with Lion X Ventures, advised by OCBC, combining ESP’s investment experience with Lion X’s venture network to provide capital, operational support, and global market access for portfolio companies.

💡The fund has also formed a strategic partnership with Dreame Technology, allowing portfolio companies to leverage industrial insights, engineering experience, and commercialization capabilities.

Singapore

KAST has raised $80 million in a Series A funding round co-led by QED Investors and Left Lane Capital, with participation from returning investors including Peak XV Partners, HSG, and DST Global Partners. Founded in July 2024, KAST provides USD-denominated accounts and global pay-in and payout services to more than 190 countries, leveraging stablecoin rails rather than traditional settlement networks. Since launch, the platform has grown to over one million users and processes nearly $5 billion in annualized transaction volume, with projected revenue reaching a $100 million annual run rate in 2026.

💡The funding will support international expansion across Latin America, North America, and the Middle East, as well as product development, compliance, licensing, and headcount growth.

Taiwan

Taiwan-based Cooler Master has invested $200 million in Bac Ninh province, Vietnam, and plans to expand total investment to $3 billion. The initial 10-hectare project in Gia Binh Industrial Park, producing cooling devices for AI servers, data centers, and machine learning systems, began production in July 2025 with 1,300 workers and is expected to grow to 5,000 this year.

💡Bac Ninh is a major foreign investment hub in Vietnam, known for hosting Samsung’s production facilities.

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Environmental Sustainability

Sustainability initiatives are moving beyond pilot projects toward structured, cross-border programs and circular economy models that integrate financing, infrastructure, and corporate partnerships.

Australia

New research commissioned by Sydney Airport indicates strong public support in Australia for developing a domestic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry. Australians see SAF production as a way to create regional jobs, support farmers, and retain local resources and manufacturing capacity.

💡Although awareness of SAF is low, support rises to 60% once the concept and benefits are explained.

Global

The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) system has partnered with OMV and Airbus to advance the global SAF ecosystem, focusing on Book and Claim Chain-of-Custody models. The systems let sustainability attributes of SAF be claimed independently of physical fuel delivery, helping overcome infrastructure limits and expand market participation while maintaining credibility and transparency.

💡Under this pilot, Airbus will act as a facilitator in the ISCC Credit Transfer System, enabling transactions between airlines, corporate partners, and fuel producers.


India

Re Sustainability has signed an exclusive memorandum of understanding with Indian Oil Corporation Limited to launch India’s first structured national program for collecting and recycling used lubricating oil. The initiative will establish a dedicated SPV to create a nationwide reverse logistics network, aggregating oil from industrial and automotive sectors and producing Re-Refined Base Oil (RRBO) for reuse in lubricant manufacturing, reducing reliance on virgin crude-derived base oils.

💡The program targets annual collection of 100 KTA of used lubricants and the development of a re-refining facility with 50–100 KTA capacity for Group II+ RRBO. It will also cover the recovery and recycling of plastic lubricant containers under Extended Producer Responsibility regulations

Malaysia

Computility Technology (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (CTDC), BGMC Energy Holdings Sdn Bhd, and reNIKOLA have signed a strategic term sheet to launch a long-term green energy supply program in Malaysia. Under the agreement, CTDC will power ZDATA’s first AI-focused data center in Gelang Patah using renewable energy from BGMC’s solar farms. Scheduled to begin in 2028, the program is expected to deliver around 630,000 MWh of clean energy annually, supporting Malaysia’s national energy transition and decarbonization of industrial infrastructure.

In addition, CTDC has eliminated its reliance on municipal water for cooling systems by implementing a proprietary water recycling loop, enhancing operational autonomy and reducing local water demand in Johor.

💡Together, the renewable energy initiative and water circularity measures position CTDC and its partners to deliver large-scale, environmentally sustainable digital and industrial infrastructure. All parties are now entering the implementation phase to meet the 2028 operational target.


Singapore-Indonesia

Equator Renewables Asia has raised S$50 million ($39.3 million) to develop large-scale solar, green hydrogen, and sustainable industrial zone projects in Indonesia. Strategic cornerstone investors KPN Corporation and Tsao Pao Chee contributed S$30 million, with the remainder funded by ERA’s management. The company has conditional approval from Singapore’s Energy Market Authority to import up to 400 MW of renewable power from Indonesia, supporting regional decarbonization efforts.

💡ERA’s Indonesian portfolio includes 2.2 GWp of solar photovoltaic capacity, 3.2 GWh of battery energy storage, and green hydrogen production initiatives.

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Aviation

The aviation sector is simultaneously navigating significant operational and regulatory challenges, from crew scheduling failures and fuel cost pressures to consumer class actions, while also investing in new technologies and local supply chain capabilities.

Australia

Qantas has agreed to a $105 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over COVID-era flight credits. The case, filed by Echo Law in August 2023 on behalf of hundreds of thousands of customers, alleged that passengers were entitled to cash refunds for flights cancelled between January 2020 and November 2022 but were instead issued restricted flight credits.

💡The settlement allows eligible customers to claim compensation in addition to any existing refund rights. Qantas stated the agreement includes no admission of liability and noted that, since August 2023, it has removed expiry dates on COVID-era flight credits, enabling customers to request cash refunds indefinitely.

Australia

A report from ACL Asia Pacific provides the first detailed analysis of aircraft slot utilisation at Sydney Airport three largest users—Qantas, Virgin, and Jetstar—hold 71% of total slots, recording utilisation rates of 94%, 96%, and 93%, respectively.

Airlines reported that unused slots were mainly due to commercial considerations (32%), operational issues (23%), maintenance or technical problems (20%), crew availability (9%), and weather (8%). Delays were primarily caused by late-arriving aircraft (41%), airline/network operations (11%), and aircraft defects or safety issues (10%).

💡ACL highlighted Sydney Airport as the only airport in its 79-airport global network to release slot utilisation data, reinforcing transparency in slot management. The next update, covering the full winter 2025 season, is expected in May.

Global

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is rolling out three AI initiatives to boost efficiency, safety, and innovation in air cargo. The first, an AI Subject Matter Expert (AI SME), lets operational teams query IATA publications in plain language, initially covering the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) and Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM).

IATA is also launching the Air Cargo AI Excellence Hub to promote collaboration on governance, compliance, and best practices among airlines, handlers, freight forwarders, technology providers, and regulators.

💡Additionally, the association is exploring AI to improve interline air cargo, helping airlines with different IT systems coordinate bookings, disruptions, and cancellations in real time.

India

IndiGo and its parent InterGlobe Aviation announced that CEO Pieter Elbers has resigned following a major operational failure in December 2025. The disruption, caused by the airline’s inability to adapt crew rosters to new Flight Duty Time Limitation rules, led to the cancellation of roughly 4,500 flights over 10 days and affected more than 300,000 passengers. In the interim, Managing Director Rahul Bhatia will oversee the airline until a permanent CEO is appointed.

💡The Directorate General of Civil Aviation found that Elbers had not acted in time to prevent the scheduling collapse and issued a show cause notice, while the airline was instructed to reduce its schedule by 10% and process outstanding passenger refunds.

India-France

Bharat Forge’s aerospace division has inaugurated a new landing gear components machining facility in Pune, India, in partnership with Liebherr-Aerospace. The facility, equipped with advanced machining centres for high-precision landing gear parts, makes Bharat Forge one of the first Indian companies with OEM-approved capabilities at scale, strengthening India’s role in global aerospace supply chains.

💡The facility complements Bharat Forge’s aerospace portfolio, which includes aero-engine components, airframe structures, and landing gear sub-systems for civil and military aviation. The company is also developing an advanced aerospace ring mill to produce high-value forged rings for engine programmes.

New Zealand

Air New Zealand plans to cancel roughly 1,100 flights through early May 2026, affecting an estimated 44,000 passengers, as it contends with high jet fuel costs amid ongoing Middle East energy disruptions. The cancellations, representing about 5% of the airline’s schedule, will impact both domestic and international routes, excluding New Zealand–United States flights. Passengers will be rebooked on alternative services, with priority given to same-day travel, and cuts will focus on off-peak flights while maintaining regional connectivity.

💡The airline cited soaring fuel prices driven by supply shocks from the US-Israeli conflict with Iran as the key factor behind the reduction.

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Advanced Air Mobility

The AAM industry is maturing from technology demonstration toward commercial scalability, marked by profitability milestones, cross-border infrastructure partnerships, and the development of national regulatory strategies and investment targets.

Brazil-Australia

Eve Air Mobility has partnered with Sydney-based Alt Air and Skyports Infrastructure to develop eVTOL operations across New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. The collaboration aims to create a sustainable Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ecosystem using existing airports, operating bases, and new vertiport locations, supporting passenger services, route planning, airspace integration, and ground operations.

💡The network will focus on linking key population centers, commercial districts, and tourism hubs, with early routes including Western Sydney International Airport to downtown Sydney.

China

EHang reported a strong finish to 2025, achieving its first GAAP profitable quarter in Q4 with net income of RMB10.5 million (US$1.5M) and record quarterly revenues of RMB243.8 million (US$34.9M), up 48.4% year-over-year. Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) soared 96.4% YoY to RMB71.5 million (US$10.2M).

The company delivered 100 eVTOL aircraft in the quarter, including 95 EH216-series and five VT35 units, while gross margins remained healthy at 62.1%. Operationally, EHang is preparing to launch commercial EH216-S services in Guangzhou and Hefei in March 2026, following successful internal trials and a landmark cross-province flight over the Qiongzhou Strait, while the VT35 completed its first public demonstration and is advancing through CAAC certification.

💡Management highlighted 2026 priorities including scaling EH216-S commercial operations, advancing VT35 certification, and expanding overseas markets, targeting total revenues of around RMB600 million (~18% YoY growth).

China-Türkiye

EHang has announced a strategic partnership with Türkiye’s leading telecom company, Türk Telekom, and its technology subsidiary Argela, to advance Advanced Air Mobility in Türkiye. Signed at Mobile World Congress 2026, the agreement integrates EHang’s certified EH216-S pilotless eVTOL aircraft with Argela’s Unmanned Traffic Management system and Türk Telekom’s 5G, IoT, cloud, and cybersecurity infrastructure, creating a framework for safe, digitally connected low-altitude operations.

💡The collaboration will support regulatory engagement, validate UTM integration, and accelerate commercial use cases including passenger mobility, aerial tourism, cargo transport, and medical deliveries


India

The World Economic Forum, in partnership with Deloitte, has released a new community paper, Activating Advanced Air Mobility in India: A 10-Step Strategy. The report highlights the potential of eVTOL aircraft and low-altitude technologies to complement existing transport, enhance regional connectivity, reduce congestion, and drive sustainable economic growth. It emphasizes AAM as a nation-building opportunity, focusing on broad societal impact rather than just urban, premium transport solutions.

The paper outlines a structured 10-step strategy covering regulatory alignment, sandbox testing, phased market activation, and infrastructure integration, anchored on five pillars: India-focused use cases, multimodal infrastructure, domestic R&D, safe airspace governance, and sustainable deployment.

💡It proposes a three-phase approach—pilot trials, operational evaluation, and commercialization—with priority actions including regulatory frameworks, vertiport development, public awareness, economic viability, and ecosystem capacity building


Japan

Japan has identified 61 products and technologies as priority investment targets under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s economic strategy to channel public and private capital into 17 strategic sectors. The list includes 27 early-stage technologies such as physical artificial intelligence systems, regenerative medicine, quantum computing, and marine drones.

💡Targets under discussion include capturing over 30% of the global AI robotics market and increasing domestic semiconductor sales to ¥40 trillion ($254 billion) by 2040.

USA-Japan

Japan’s SkyDrive has signed a Letter of Intent with Florida-based Aeroauto Global to establish a U.S. presence and purchase eight SD_05 eVTOL aircraft. Under the agreement, four aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and four in 2029. SkyDrive has also extended its partnership with SAI Flight from South Carolina to Florida, creating a regional operational network to support Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) infrastructure and deployment.

💡The partnerships aim to integrate eVTOL operations with local governments, airports, and tourism hubs in Florida, leveraging Aeroauto’s infrastructure and SAI Flight’s operational base. SkyDrive plans to use the cluster to facilitate service introduction in 2028 and accelerate adoption of eVTOL transportation across the U.S. Southeast, combining aircraft innovation with regional sales, vertiport development, and collaborative mobility initiatives.

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Marine

The marine sector is characterized by strategic financial maneuvers—including stake-building and contract awards—alongside the development of new social and regulatory frameworks for worker protection and risk management in global shipping and energy logistics.

Bangladesh

The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with BIMCO, has launched a pilot Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) to improve protections for workers at ship recycling yards in Bangladesh, the world’s largest ship recycling nation.

The scheme functions as social insurance: by paying $0.5 per light displacement tonnage through a BIMCO letter of intent, ship sellers ensure that workers and their families receive timely compensation for permanent injury or death, aligned with international labour standards. Contributions apply to facilities meeting the Hong Kong International Convention’s safety and environmental standards.

💡Operating voluntarily, the EIS is a temporary measure as Bangladesh transitions from its employer-liability system to a mandatory national, wage-based employment injury insurance scheme, expected in July 2027. The pilot draws on a successful model from Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garment sector, covering millions of workers.


Singapore

Singapore-based liner Ocean Network Express (ONE) is boosting its stake in Poseidon Acquisition Corp, the holding company of boxship lessor Seaspan, from 28.7% to 48.9%. The move strengthens ONE’s access to long-term vessel supply and aligns with its “ONE 2030” strategy of growth through container shipping investments, building on the 2023 take-private of Seaspan’s parent, Atlas Corp.

💡Meanwhile, Chinese shipbuilder Yangzijiang Shipbuilding is joining Poseidon’s shareholder base, acquiring a 10% stake worth $825.7m from Fairfax Financial and the Washington family, with an additional 5% purchased via its chairman’s private vehicle.

Singapore

Singapore’s offshore wind sector is set for growth, with rising demand for engineers, especially in floater design, as deeper-water projects expand. Floating platforms, now just 1–2% of capacity, could reach 15% in a decade. The Marine and Offshore Energy Industry Plan aims to create 1,000 roles by 2030, focusing on turbine installation, cable-laying, and operations and maintenance positions.

💡Emerging roles include project managers, hydrogen specialists, digital twin engineers, and sustainability officers, while companies like Seatrium recruit for robotics, UX, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Key skills span turbine systems, high-voltage work, carbon accounting, and renewable integration, with training available through SkillsFuture, NTU, Singapore Polytechnic, and the Maritime and Port Authority to prepare the workforce for this sector expansion.

Singapore-Turkiye

Shipyard group Seatrium has secured a contract from Turkiye’s Karpowership to convert a new LNG carrier into a high-capacity FSRU, LNGT Karadeniz, with regasification capacity up to 600 mmscfd. The project, set to start in Q3 2026, includes installing a regasification module, spread-mooring system, and integrating cargo handling, LNG offloading, utilities, electrical distribution, and advanced automation systems.

💡The contract also covers life extension and repairs for three additional LNGCs and integration of four new-generation powerships, with options for two more.

US-Global

The US Treasury has issued a one‑month OFAC wind‑down licence allowing Russian crude already at sea to complete voyages, easing disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Valid through April 11, the licence covers routine voyage services—including bunkering, crewing, insurance, and piloting—ensuring cargoes already loaded can legally reach buyers. Brokers estimate India could receive about 65 million barrels previously off‑limits, enough to offset roughly 23 days of lost Middle East crude.

💡Vortexa tracking shows 8 million barrels in transit have been rerouted to India, 49 million lifted pre‑March 5 remain candidates for discharge there, and 7.6 million sit in floating storage in East Asia.

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Space

Space activity is diversifying beyond government-led exploration to include commercial experimentation and novel manufacturing, while nations across the region invest in domestic technology verification, infrastructure, and connectivity solutions to build sovereign capabilities.

China

China is planning a series of deep-space exploration missions, according to Sun Zezhou, a National People’s Congress deputy and researcher at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The Tianwen-2 mission is currently underway, targeting near-Earth asteroids to collect samples and return them to Earth.

💡Looking ahead, the Tianwen-3 mission is expected to retrieve samples from Mars, while Tianwen-4 will focus on exploring Jupiter. Sun also emphasized that China intends to maintain opportunities for international cooperation, including the potential inclusion of international payloads on future missions.

Japan

Japanese sake producer Asahi Shuzō’s premium brand Dassai has received a fermentation sample brewed aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking what is believed to be the first attempt to produce sake in space.

The ingredients and brewing equipment were sent to orbit on the HTV-X1 cargo spacecraft launched in October, with the fermentation process carried out in the ISS’s Japanese experimental module with assistance from astronauts. The returned sample arrived in Japan earlier this month for further processing, with the company expecting to extract about 100 ml of sake.

💡Dassai has offered the limited batch through pre-orders priced at about ¥100 million, with proceeds planned for donation to Japan’s space development efforts. The project explores how fermentation behaves in microgravity, as sake production—relying on rice, koji mold, and water—is highly sensitive to environmental conditions.

South Korea

South Korea will test a range of domestically developed space technologies aboard the sixth launch of its Korea Space Launch Vehicle Nuri, scheduled for 2027. 15 devices and components produced by industry, universities and research institutes have been selected to fly on Space Verification Satellite No. 3, a CubeSat platform designed to test hardware in orbit.

💡The payloads include semiconductors, sensors, batteries and other components developed by organisations such as LG Electronics, SK hynix, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, and Korea University. The mission aims to help Korean technologies gain “space heritage,” a key requirement for adoption in satellites and launch systems, as components used in orbit are strongly preferred due to the difficulty of repairing spacecraft once deployed.


Taiwan

Taiwan Mobile and Telkomsel have signed agreements with aerospace partners to expand connectivity in remote regions using satellite and high-altitude technologies. Taiwan Mobile will collaborate with AST SpaceMobile to develop direct-to-cell services via low-Earth orbit satellites, allowing standard smartphones to connect directly to space-based networks. The system will integrate with Taiwan Mobile’s terrestrial infrastructure to strengthen coverage and improve network resilience during natural disasters.

💡Separately, Telkomsel has partnered with AALTO HAPS, a subsidiary of Airbus, to explore connectivity using the solar-powered Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station. Demonstration flights are planned for 2027, with commercial services targeted from 2028 to help extend connectivity across Indonesia’s remote areas.


Vietnam

Vietnam has inaugurated the Vietnam Space Centre (VNSC) at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi, marking a major step in the country’s space development and its cooperation with Japan. Speaking at the Viet Nam–Japan Space Horizons 2026 Forum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam’s space ambitions will focus on innovation, international collaboration and expanding practical applications of satellite technology.

💡Vietnam has gradually expanded its capabilities through projects such as VINASAT-1, VINASAT-2, PicoDragon, MicroDragon, and NanoDragon, while the radar observation satellite LOTUSat-1 is expected to launch by 2027. The new centre, developed with Japanese support and an investment of more than $266 million, will serve as a hub for satellite research, testing, operations and data analysis.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

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Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: Fasanara and IFC Launch Lending Strategy for Emerging Market MSMEs; Europe-India Strategic Engagement Post-FTA; IFC Provides US$350 Million to Expand Indonesian Broadband; Gobi Partners Invests in Biotech Firm Cortical Labs; Singapore AI Firm Dyna.Ai Secures Eight-Figure Series A; Kids’ Tech Brand myFirst Raises Over US$8 Million; South Korea and Singapore Agree to Upgrade FTA; and The Invention Lab Leads Seed Investment in AI Startup RIDM.

Environmental Sustainability: Australia and Canada Formalize Clean Energy Partnership; IPSASB Releases First Climate Disclosure Standard for Public Sector; MAS Issues Guidelines on Environmental Risk Management; South Korea Proposes Mandatory ISSB-Aligned Sustainability Reporting; Stanford and Korea University Launch Water Sustainability Index; and Green SM Launches All-Electric Taxi Service in Bali.

Aviation: Passenger Behavior, Not Traffic, Now Drives Airport Retail Performance; Hong Kong International Airport Conducts Annual Crash and Rescue Exercise; Bengaluru and Frankfurt Airports Partner to Boost Cargo Connectivity; Auckland Airport Activates Industrial-Scale Heat Pumps in Terminal; and Queenstown Airport Community Fund Opens 2026 Application Round.

Advanced Air Mobility: EHang to Release Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results; ePlane Company Partners with HENSOLDT for eVTOL Avionics Integration; SkyDrive Completes Public eVTOL Demonstration Flights in Tokyo; Aonic Secures US$10 Million in Series A Funding; and Skyports Deploys Vertiport Automation System for SkyDrive Tokyo Demonstration.

Marine: GMS Calls on EU to Approve Indian Ship Recycling Yards; NYK and JMU Sign Tanker Contract with Real-Sea Performance Guarantee; Consortium Forms to Study Green Hydrogen Production in New Zealand; MISC Exercises Options for Two Additional LNG Carriers; Velesto Workover Secures Shell Contracts for Offshore Sabah; Philippines Launches Fifth Green Energy Auction for Offshore Wind; Bridge Data Centers and Concord New Energy to Develop Barge-Based Hydrogen; and Hanwha Ocean Awarded Contract for Leviathan Field Expansion Modules.

Space: Campaign Urges Australian Government to Partner with ESA for Astronaut Mission; China Designates Aerospace as “Emerging Pillar Industry” and Outlines Lunar Ambitions; ESA and Chinese Academy Both Achieve Gigabit Laser Links to Geostationary Satellites; Space One’s Kairos Rocket Fails for Third Consecutive Time; and Maritime Launch Services and INNOSPACE Sign Letter of Intent for HANBIT Launches from Nova Scotia.

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Financing & Investments

Development finance and venture capital are flowing across Asia-Pacific into digital infrastructure, AI computing, and children’s technology, supported by bilateral government agreements unlocking cross-border innovation funding.

Global

Fasanara Capital and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) are launching a lending strategy to channel financing to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging markets, with a focus on women-led businesses. The initiative will support fintech lenders by investing in trade receivables and digital invoices, enabling them to scale lending to address the estimated US$5.7 trillion global financing gap that disproportionately affects women entrepreneurs.

💡The partnership combines Fasanara’s technology-enabled credit capabilities with IFC’s development resources to increase affordable financing flows to MSMEs. The strategy aims to demonstrate private credit as a viable asset class in emerging markets, attract additional investment, and strengthen digital lending ecosystems while supporting job creation.

India-EU

Dezan Shira & Associates notes that since the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement concluded in January, European diplomatic and commercial engagement with India has intensified across multiple sectors. Adani Ports signed a cooperation agreement with Port of Marseille Fos to strengthen maritime connectivity, while Indian and French officials advanced defense cooperation including helicopter assembly and missile production.

💡European policymakers increasingly view India as a strategic partner for supply chain diversification, industrial co-production, and regulatory alignment in digital infrastructure. The convergence of trade frameworks, port connectivity, defense industrial integration, and technology standards indicates structural alignment between India and Europe beyond trade liberalization.


Indonesia

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is providing a financing package of up to US$350 million to PT Link Net Tbk (Linknet) to support the expansion of high-speed fixed broadband infrastructure across Indonesia. The package includes a US$200 million IFC own-account loan and US$150 million mobilized from the Asian Development Bank, representing IFC’s first investment in the country’s fixed broadband sector.

💡The funding will support network rollout in underserved secondary and tertiary cities and facilitate the transition from older copper-based connections to more energy-efficient fiber networks.

Malaysia

Gobi Partners, through its Malaysia-based Dana Impak Ventures fund, has invested in Cortical Labs, a biotechnology company developing computing systems that combine living human neurons with silicon hardware. The funding round included participation from Horizon Ventures, 3C, and Synchron founder Tom Oxley, supporting Cortical Labs’ expansion into semiconductor engineering and chip design from new operations in Malaysia.

💡Cortical Labs’ CL1 platform enables real-time experiments on laboratory-grown neural networks for applications in drug discovery and as a potential alternative to traditional AI computing. The company’s establishment of manufacturing and engineering operations at SIDEC’s IC Design Park in Puchong is expected to create roles in neuroscience, chip design, and computational biology.


Singapore

Singapore-based artificial intelligence solutions company Dyna.Ai has secured an eight-figure multimillion-dollar Series A funding round. The investment was led by Singaporean venture capital fund Lion X Ventures, with participation from Taiwan-listed technology firm ADATA, a Korean financial institution, and a group of finance industry veterans.

💡The funding will be used to accelerate the deployment of the company’s Agentic AI solutions, which are designed to help enterprises transition artificial intelligence pilots into fully operational systems that deliver measurable business results.

Singapore

Singapore-based kids’ technology brand myFirst has raised over US$8 million in a Series A funding round led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India. The company will use the funding to deepen its KidsTech ecosystem, which integrates devices, connected services, and a secure social platform designed for children’s first digital experiences across communication, creativity, and self-expression. MyFirst will also expand into North Asia, the Middle East, the United States, and Europe through retail and telco partnerships with retailers including Walmart and Best Buy.

💡MyFirst’s ecosystem includes the myFirst Fone watchphone, which enables calling and messaging with GPS safety features, and myFirst Circle, a closed, ad-free social network requiring parental approval for contacts. The platform is designed as an alternative to adult-focused applications, providing age-appropriate technology for children. The company reports its products are used by more than one million families across 60 countries.

Singapore-South Korea

South Korea and Singapore have agreed to begin negotiations to upgrade their bilateral free trade agreement and deepen cooperation in nuclear energy, including small modular reactors. The decision followed summit talks between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking their second meeting since elevating ties to a strategic partnership. Five memorandums of understanding were signed covering artificial intelligence, small modular reactors, and digital and science and technology cooperation.

💡Lee announced plans to establish a US$300 million global fund in Singapore by 2030 to support joint AI ventures and pledged cross-border joint research starting in 2026.

South Korea-Singapore

South Korea-based venture capital firm The Invention Lab has completed a seed investment in Singaporean AI computing startup RIDM, made jointly with London-based quant investment firm Qube Research & Technologies (QRT). RIDM has developed a computing architecture called DODA (Dynamically Orchestrated Dataflow Architecture) designed to address memory bottlenecks in AI and high-performance computing environments. The technology is based on research conducted at the National University of Singapore and is protected by three international patents.

💡RIDM is conducting a proof of concept in collaboration with QRT, focusing on FPGA development and acceleration utilizing its architecture. The company was founded by engineers from NUS and has secured an exclusive license for a patent held by the university. RIDM plans to pursue strategic collaborations with global companies based on technology verification results.

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Environmental Sustainability

Governments and standard-setters are accelerating climate disclosure mandates and cross-border energy partnerships, with new public sector reporting rules from IPSASB, enhanced supervisory guidance from MAS, and proposed mandatory ISSB-aligned disclosures in South Korea, alongside bilateral clean energy agreements and corporate sustainability initiatives across the Asia-Pacific.

Australia-Canada

Australia and Canada have formalized a Clean Energy Partnership to collaborate on climate action and the transition to net zero emissions. The partnership, signed by Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen and Canada’s High Commissioner to Australia H.E. Dr Julie Sunday, reaffirms commitment to the Paris Agreement and focuses on five key areas: trade, investment, standards and supply chains; grid modernization and resilience; energy and hard-to-abate sectors; Indigenous engagement; and climate change adaptation.

💡The two countries will work through Canada’s Department of Natural Resources to deliver on the partnership’s goals.

Global

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) has released IPSASB SRS 1, Climate-related Disclosures, the first sustainability reporting standard designed specifically for governments and public sector entities.The standard requires public sector entities to disclose material climate-related risks and opportunities within their general purpose financial reports, aligning with the IFRS S2 framework to enhance consistency and comparability across public and private disclosures. The standard applies to reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2028, with earlier adoption permitted.

The framework addresses growing demand from capital markets, multilateral lenders, and citizens for transparent information on how climate change affects public finances, infrastructure, and long-term fiscal resilience. Developed with support from the World Bank, the standard reflects increasing recognition that climate exposure is a determinant of sovereign creditworthiness and fiscal sustainability.

💡By extending familiar disclosure concepts including governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics into the public sector context, the standard positions climate reporting as a core element of public financial management and aims to enable efficient access to capital markets for climate resilience financing


Singapore

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has issued three guidelines on environmental risk management, setting out supervisory expectations for banks, insurers, and asset managers to address climate-related transition and physical risks. The guidelines, which add to those published in 2020, require financial institutions to assess and manage these risks by adapting business models, governance, and risk practices in a forward-looking manner.

💡MAS expects financial institutions to engage customers and investee companies on climate-related risks to avoid indiscriminate withdrawal of credit, coverage, or investments, supporting broader financial stability. Institutions should also keep pace with developments in climate risk measurement and management. The guidelines, developed separately for each sector based on business models and industry feedback, will take effect in September 2027 after an 18-month transition period.

South Korea

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has released a draft roadmap proposing mandatory sustainability reporting for major KOSPI-listed companies beginning in 2028, based on 2027 fiscal year data. The reporting framework would align with International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) guidelines through newly finalized Korean Sustainability Standards Board (KSSB) rules, including KSSB 1 on general sustainability requirements and KSSB 2 on climate disclosures, which correspond to IFRS S1 and IFRS S2.

Under the phased implementation timeline, companies with consolidated assets exceeding KRW 30 trillion (US$20.4 billion) would be required to report first, followed by firms with assets above KRW 10 trillion (US$6.8 billion) in 2029. Scope 3 emissions reporting would be mandatory from 2030 onward, providing extended transition relief beyond the ISSB’s initial one-year accommodation. Third-party assurance would initially remain voluntary, with mandatory assurance to be considered later based on global trends and reporting system maturity.

💡The FSC is seeking market feedback until March 31, 2026, before finalizing the roadmap in April 2026.

South Korea-USA

A research collaboration led by Stanford University and Korea University has introduced the Water Sustainability Index (WSI), a quantitative framework designed to standardize corporate water performance reporting and reduce greenwashing risk in ESG disclosures.

The index, detailed in a study published in Nature Water, evaluates water withdrawals, consumption, discharge quality, and reuse while incorporating local watershed stress conditions. The framework aims to address current gaps in water reporting, where fragmented metrics and qualitative narratives limit comparability, unlike the growing precision of carbon emissions tracking.

💡The WSI integrates watershed stress into performance scoring, recognizing that water sustainability implications vary by local conditions. Researchers tested seven scenarios demonstrating the index’s application, with scores improving through reuse practices, optimized siting, and enhanced water quality controls. The framework is designed to guide investment decisions, support capital allocation, and align corporate reporting with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.


Vietnam-Indonesia

Green SM, the ride-hailing arm of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, has launched an all-electric taxi service in Bali through a partnership with Taksi Komotra. Under the agreement, Green SM provides the technology platform, electric vehicle fleet, operational standards, and driver development system, while Taksi Komotra contributes local expertise and network coverage across the island.

💡The service operates under Green SM’s “5 Green Promises” framework, encompassing customer experience, professional drivers, vehicle quality, transparent pricing, and environmental sustainability.

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Aviation

Airport commercial strategy is shifting from traffic volumes to passenger demographics, with younger travelers and specific nationalities driving luxury spending, while infrastructure investments continue in decarbonization, cargo connectivity, and operational resilience testing across the region.

Asia-Pacific & Middle East

Passenger behavior and demographics, not traffic volumes, now drive airport retail performance, according to a study by the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East. Based on data from 36 major airports, the study finds 56 percent of respondents report commercial revenues exceeding 2019 levels, with 44 percent expecting higher revenue per passenger in the next 12 months. Perfume and cosmetics rank as the strongest-performing category, while Gen Z and Millennials spend 3.5 times more than older generations.

💡Nationals from China, India, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia are the biggest spenders, with Chinese luxury spending twice the Asia-Pacific average. Duty-free sales account for 31 to 38 percent of retail revenue across Middle East airports. About 70 percent of purchases remain impulse-driven, with product choice and pricing accounting for nearly 70 percent of purchase motivation. While 65 percent of Gen Z travelers would pay more for sustainable products, only 20 percent of airports view sustainability as a core factor in retail decisions.

Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport conducted its annual aircraft crash and rescue, simulating an incident involving a departing flight. The scenario involved an aborted takeoff due to cabin smoke from a power bank, causing a tire burst, runway veer, landing gear collapse, and fire. Over 1,000 representatives from approximately 20 organisations and government departments participated, with Greater Bay Airlines as the operating carrier and more than 400 volunteers role-playing as passengers and affected family members.

💡A simulated joint press conference was also conducted involving the Airport Authority, Air Accident Investigation Authority, airline, fire services, and police. The exercise was conducted to meet aerodrome licensing requirements as part of regular emergency preparedness testing under the three-runway system operation.


India-Europe

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to enhance cargo connectivity between South India and Europe. The agreement, signed during Air Cargo India, aims to establish a structured framework focused on joint trade lane analytics, digital corridor development, pharma integrity standards, and knowledge exchange to improve visibility, reduce dwell times, and deliver more predictable service levels for cargo stakeholders.

💡The partnership connects BLR Airport, serving one of India’s fastest-growing manufacturing and export regions, with Frankfurt Airport, a major European cargo hub. The collaboration aligns with the recently concluded EU-India Free Trade Agreement, expected to unlock new momentum for bilateral trade and air cargo flows. The initiative supports BLR Airport’s investments in cargo infrastructure and technology while forming part of Frankfurt Airport’s CargoHub Masterplan to actively shape international air cargo traffic.


New Zealand

Auckland Airport has activated a fleet of 11 industrial-scale heat pumps in its international terminal, replacing one of New Zealand’s largest gas-fired air conditioning plants that had operated for over 50 years.

The new electric system, among the largest installations of its kind in the country, is expected to reduce natural gas use by approximately 40 percent while maintaining climate control for the 30,000 daily passengers traversing the 141,000-square-meter terminal. Each unit, roughly the size of a shipping container, delivers up to 600kW of heating or cooling, about 100 times the output of a typical residential unit.

💡The installation was staged over five weeks to avoid disrupting terminal operations, with the heat pumps craned up to 30 meters onto the roof. The technology was trialed for 18 months in 2023 before full deployment


New Zealand

The Queenstown Airport (ZQN) Community Fund has opened its 2026 funding round, inviting applications from community organisations in the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts. Applications will be accepted from March 2 to April 7, 2026, with grants ranging from NZ$1,000 to NZ$5,000 available for projects supporting community wellbeing, youth, environmental sustainability, and resilience.

💡The fund, delivered in partnership with the 45South Community Foundation, has a total of NZ$50,000 to distribute. Priority will be given to initiatives that respond to local needs and demonstrate clear community impact.

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Advanced Air Mobility

The eVTOL sector is transitioning from concept to certification through strategic avionics partnerships, public demonstration flights in urban centers, and ground infrastructure deployments, supported by continued venture capital funding and financial reporting milestones that signal maturing commercial timelines.

China

EHang Holdings Limited will release its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, on March 12, 2026, before U.S. market open. The company’s management team will host an earnings conference call at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time that same day, corresponding to 8:00 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time.

💡Participants must complete an online registration process to receive dial-in information and a personal PIN for telephone access to the call.

India-Germany

The ePlane Company has entered into a strategic partnership with German avionics manufacturer HENSOLDT to supply and integrate advanced navigation and mission management systems for its e200X eVTOL aircraft. The collaboration marks the Chennai-based company’s transition from subscale prototypes to full-scale, certifiable aircraft equipped with aviation-grade systems for urban air mobility operations.

The integration will equip the e200X with digital moving maps, visual landing aids for rooftop helipads, collision avoidance antennas, and secure datalink connectivity for real-time ground communication. These systems are designed to provide enhanced situational awareness during take-off and landing in dense urban environments.

💡The avionics integration supports the aircraft’s certification programme under India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation following the internal design freeze of its avionics architecture.

Japan

Japan’s SkyDrive has completed a series of public demonstration flights of its SKYDRIVE (Model SD-05) in Tokyo, marking the first public flights of the company’s aircraft in the city. The five-day demonstration program, conducted from February 24 to 28, at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition venue, was organized in collaboration with Mitsubishi Estate and Kanematsu Corporation as part of a Tokyo Metropolitan Government project to develop business models for eVTOL services.

💡The flights evaluated integrated ground and flight operations required for future commercialization, including pre-flight preparation, departure, cruising, landing, and aircraft return procedures. The demonstration included a passenger terminal where members of the public tested pre-boarding procedures such as facial recognition-enabled check-in and security screening, with feedback collected to inform future operations

Malaysia

Aonic, a Malaysia-founded drone technology company, has secured US$10 million in Series A funding led by Kairous Capital, with backing from Malaysia’s National Fund-of-Funds through its Emerging Fund Managers’ Program.

💡The investment will advance regional and international expansion, deepen research and development, and scale the company’s in-house manufactured drones, software, and services.

UK-Japan

Skyports Infrastructure deployed its Vertiport Automation System (VAS) during a five-day series of eVTOL aircraft flight demonstrations conducted by SkyDrive over Tokyo Bay from February 24 to 28. The VAS provided the technical foundation for ground and flight operations, integrating with SkyDrive’s aircraft to monitor surrounding airspace, manage weather data and situational awareness, allocate landing and take-off slots, and digitally manage ground equipment.

💡Skyports also operated a temporary passenger terminal integrated with the system, featuring facial recognition check-in, security screening, flight information displays, and boarding guidance designed for minimal dwell time. The operations room provided a holistic view of ground and flight operations, airspace monitoring, and passenger status throughout the demonstrations.

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Marine

The maritime sector is advancing decarbonization through green hydrogen corridor studies, LNG carrier expansions, and offshore wind auctions, while shipbuilding innovation includes real-sea performance guarantees and regulatory pressure mounts for inclusion of Indian recycling yards in the EU list.

India-EU

GMS, the world’s largest cash buyer of ships for recycling, has called on the European Commission to approve qualified Indian ship recycling yards for inclusion on the European List under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. More than 110 Indian yards hold Hong Kong Convention Statements of Compliance, but after a decade, 35 applications, and at least 10 Commission inspections, no Indian facility has been approved.

💡India has dismantled over 8,500 vessels in 40 years, recovering more than 67 million tonnes of steel. Alang alone can recycle 4.5 million light displacement tonnes annually, exceeding the capacity of all EU-approved yards combined. GMS analysis shows recycling steel at Alang emits 58 percent less CO₂ than producing virgin steel, with over 98 percent of materials recovered.


Japan

Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) and shipbuilder Japan Marine United (JMU) have signed a contract for a next-generation crude oil tanker that includes a performance guarantee based on real ocean conditions rather than conventional calm‑sea trials. The agreement incorporates an actual sea performance guarantee clause and an incentive mechanism sharing benefits between owner and yard based on achievement levels.

💡The partners began collaborating in September 2020 to develop methods for estimating hull performance in realistic weather and routing. They previously included actual‑sea guarantees in contracts for two tankers, with joint verification showing minimal differences between guaranteed speed/power curves and measured outcomes. For the new tanker, NYK and JMU will conduct joint verification during the first operational year to validate performance and refine future design models.


Japan-New Zealand

A consortium comprising Mitsui OSK Lines, Obayashi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Chiyoda has formed to study commercial production of green hydrogen in New Zealand and export logistics to Japan. Feasibility work will begin in fiscal 2026, with imports targeted for the early 2030s.

💡The consortium will map supply-chain requirements, production hubs, export terminals, and shipping operations needed for large-scale hydrogen delivery. The project aims to advance Japan’s decarbonisation across mobility, industry, and power generation while creating a new export industry for New Zealand. Practical work will assess electrolyser siting, renewable supply guarantees, carrier options, and commercial frameworks for long-term stable deliveries.


Malaysia

Malaysian shipping firm MISC has exercised options for two additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers at China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding. The new vessels, each with a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters, will be chartered to Malaysia’s national oil company Petronas under 20-year contracts, with deliveries scheduled for 2029 and 2030.

💡The long-term charter agreement initially covered three newbuildings contracted at Hudong-Zhonghua with options for three additional ships. MISC confirmed in a stock exchange filing that two more vessels will now be included under the same agreement. According to earlier yard disclosures, exercising all options would bring the total series to 10 vessels.

Malaysia

Velesto Workover, a subsidiary of Malaysia’s Velesto Energy, has secured two contracts from Sabah Shell Petroleum Company to support deepwater operations offshore Sabah. The multi-year agreements cover comprehensive maintenance services for top tension risers at Shell’s tension leg platform, to be delivered in partnership with INVX Asia Pacific.

💡The contracts expand Velesto’s integrated maintenance and engineering offerings within the upstream energy sector.


Philippines

The Philippine Department of Energy has launched the fifth round of its Green Energy Auction, offering 3.3 gigawatts of fixed-bottom offshore wind capacity. Registration for developers opened on March 2, with qualified bidders to be announced on July 3 and winning bidders named on September 22. The auction sets a reserve price cap of 11 Philippine pesos (US$0.19) per kilowatt-hour for projects scheduled to begin commercial operation between 2028 and 2030.

The auction marks the country’s first offshore wind procurement under new government policies aimed at streamlining permitting and infrastructure development. The round was delayed from its original schedule to address port availability and transmission network capacity for absorbing intermittent offshore power.

Singapore

Bridge Data Centers (BDC) and Concord New Energy (CNE) have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop Singapore’s first barge-based hydrogen power generation solution for AI digital infrastructure. The partnership aims to diversify power sourcing and enhance energy security for BDC’s Singapore data center portfolio amid grid constraints and decarbonization targets. The collaboration will include Nanyang Technological University to support hydrogen ecosystem development.

💡The barge-based configuration offers advantages for Singapore’s land-constrained environment through offshore or nearshore deployment, safety segregation between hydrogen handling and data center operations, and integration with the maritime ecosystem for fuel transport and storage. The parties will also develop scalable hydrogen supply chain frameworks and assess customized power procurement structures including renewable power purchase agreements.

South Korea-Israel

Hanwha Ocean has been awarded a contract by Chevron to fabricate expansion modules for the Leviathan natural gas field offshore Israel. The project involves constructing additional modules for integration into the existing production platform to increase field output. Hanwha Ocean has supported Chevron on project development since the third quarter of 2024, providing constructability input.

💡The Leviathan expansion project, which reached a final investment decision in mid-January, includes drilling three additional offshore wells, adding subsea infrastructure, and enhancing platform treatment facilities. The project is expected to come online near the end of the decade to meet growing energy demand in local and regional markets. Chevron operates the field with a 39.66 percent stake, alongside partners NewMed Energy and Ratio Energies.

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Space

Australia

A public and industry-led campaign urging the Australian government to partner with the European Space Agency (ESA) to send Australian of the Year and ESA-trained astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg on a space mission has received support from New South Wales Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong. The campaign follows a formal offer with a four-week deadline extended to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese by the head of ESA for a cooperative agreement on a flight.

💡The campaign positions an ESA-Australian mission as aligning with government priorities in sovereign capability, productivity, advanced manufacturing, and international partnerships, warning that rejecting the offer would forfeit a generational opportunity as ESA flight opportunities narrow with the International Space Station’s planned 2030 deorbit.

China

China has designated aerospace as an “emerging pillar industry” in a draft national economic plan, positioning it alongside integrated circuits, biomedicine, and the low-altitude economy as priority sectors for policy support and state financing. The designation appeared in the government work report delivered by Premier Li Qiang at the National People’s Congress opening on March 5, signaling Beijing’s intent to expand the space sector beyond strategic programs toward a broader industrial ecosystem including launch services, satellites, and data applications.

A draft of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) outlines space objectives including planetary exploration, near-Earth asteroid defense, and solar system boundary missions. The plan also calls for reusable heavy-lift launch vehicles, an international lunar research station, and a crewed lunar landing before 2030.

💡Additional goals include advancing satellite internet, building an integrated communication-navigation-sensing-computing system, and developing commercial space capabilities such as space-based computing and reusable launchers.

China and EU

The European Space Agency (ESA) and China’s Academy of Sciences Institute of Optoelectronics have both achieved gigabit-per-second laser links to satellites in geostationary orbit.

ESA announced on February 26 that an Airbus terminal maintained an error-free connection at 2.6 Gbps for several minutes to the Alphasat TDP 1 satellite 36,000 kilometers above Earth. The Institute reported establishing a 1 Gbps symmetrical link to an unnamed satellite 40,000 kilometers away, holding the connection for three hours using a 1.8-meter ground station with high-precision tracking and adaptive optics to correct atmospheric distortion.

💡The technology enables high-bandwidth communication with geostationary satellites, which are too distant for conventional radio links at comparable speeds. The Institute noted the capability could transform satellites from data relay stations into intelligent processing hubs by allowing upload of complex instructions. The advances address technical challenges including platform vibrations, atmospheric disturbances, and precise pointing requirements at extreme distances.

Japan

Space One’s Kairos rocket failed for the third consecutive time on March 5,, during a launch from the company’s Spaceport Kii in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The rocket lifted off at 11:10 a.m. local time, but the company determined mission success was difficult approximately two minutes into flight and implemented flight termination measures. Five small spacecraft were lost that were scheduled for deployment about 50 minutes after launch.

💡The third failure follows two previous Kairos launch attempts in March 2024 and December 2024, both of which were terminated early. Space One stated it will provide details on the cause of the latest failure when available.

South Korea-Canada

Maritime Launch Services (MLS) and South Korean rocket developer INNOSPACE have signed a letter of intent to evaluate hosting the HANBIT launch system at Spaceport Nova Scotia in Canada. The agreement would provide INNOSPACE with North American launch access, addressing capacity constraints and trajectory limitations at South Korea’s government-owned Naro Space Center, where launches are restricted to southward trajectories to avoid overflying neighboring countries.

💡INNOSPACE’s HANBIT rocket family uses hybrid engines designed to reduce launch costs and improve ground safety. For MLS, the partnership would secure a commercial launch provider for its Canso site, positioning it as a North American hub for small satellite launches.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: Peak XV Raises $1.3B in New Capital Commitments; World Bank Group Funds Digital Infrastructure via Investment in Zetrix AI Berhad; VentureTECH Sdn Bhd Invests in Cybersecurity and Connectivity with Delta Spike and IX Telecom; ICON1C Raises S$10M for Growth and M&A; DBS Bank and Granite Asia Launch $110M AI IPO Fund; The Invention Lab and Qube Research & Technologies Invest in RIDM; and Unity Software Explores Sale of China Unit

Environmental Sustainability: Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility Wins Greenwashing Case; Santos Limited Claims Not Misleading; Envision Ships First Commercial Green Ammonia; ASCI Launches Greenwashing Awareness Campaign; Tata Motors to Deploy Hydrogen Trucks at V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority; Indonesia Freezes Environmental Permits; Earth Journalism Network Funds Climate Reporting; and IFC Invests in Seraya Partners Fund

Aviation: Middle East Airspace Closures Disrupt Aviation; Works Begin on Melbourne Airport Rail Link; DGCA Grounds VSR Aviation Learjets; AirAsia MOVE Reports Strong Growth; Teleport Expands Logistics Operations; StateSquare Capital to Acquire Advanced Integrated Manufacturing Corp. Pte Ltd; and Singapore Airlines Supports Air India Transformation

Advanced Air Mobility: AutoFlight Partners with Yueyang City on Low-Altitude Ecosystem; Wuhan eVTOL Showcase Features Prototypes; DJI Challenges FCC Drone Restrictions; ePlane Company Seeks Funding; Supernal Restructures Workforce; and Skyports and Korean Air Develop eVTOL Platform

Marine: AHTS Vessel Order for Chizhou Tianyu Shipbuilding and Hong Kong Word Engineering Company; Indian National Shipowners’ Association Joins International Chamber of Shipping; Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Creates Shipmanagement Holdings; Nam Cheong Wins Offshore Vessel Contracts; Philippine Offshore Wind Grid Agreements; and OceanSTAR Elite Secures FPSO Contract

Space: International Space Centre Advocates Human Spaceflight Participation; HEO and UNSW Canberra Space Launch RPO Mission; Gilmour Space Technologies Joins Landing Pad; Hypersonix Tests Suborbital Hypersonic Flight; China Manned Space Agency Plans 2026 Missions; Space One Postpones Kairos Rocket Launch; and Korea AeroSpace Administration Expands Space Investment

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Financing & Investments

Investment continues to prioritize AI and digital infrastructure in Asia, reflecting confidence in long-term technological growth, while software and digital businesses pursue strategic restructuring and portfolio optimization as competitive conditions evolve.

India

Peak XV has closed $1.3 billion in new capital commitments across its India Seed, India Venture and APAC funds, adding to substantial uninvested capital in its existing Growth fund. The firm said the raise reflects continued backing from global limited partners, including major endowments and foundations, and will support founders from early stage through IPO and long-term scale across India and the broader Asia-Pacific.

💡Peak XV said it will maintain its focus on AI, fintech and consumer sectors while expanding into deeptech.

Malaysia

The World Bank Group, through the International Finance Corporation, will invest $40 million in Zetrix AI Berhad to expand blockchain-based Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and AI-enabled services in Malaysia and emerging ASEAN markets. The funding will support new applications integrated with Malaysia’s MyDigital ID and the Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure, aimed at improving digital inclusion, service delivery and economic efficiency.

💡Zetrix AI’s offerings include digital ID verification, trade digitalization and tokenization of real-world assets, with plans to scale across ASEAN and other emerging markets.

Malaysia

VentureTECH Sdn Bhd has invested MYR28 million ($7.16 million) in cybersecurity firm Delta Spike Asia Sdn Bhd and digital connectivity provider IX Telecom Sdn Bhd to strengthen Malaysia’s cyber resilience and cross-border digital infrastructure.

💡The investment will support Delta Spike’s managed detection and response platform and regional expansion, while backing IX Telecom’s Telco-as-a-Service model aimed at improving global connectivity and enterprise digital services.

Singapore

ICON1C has raised S$10 million ($7.92 million) from stakeholders and about 20 long-standing members to fund expansion and acquisitions, opting against traditional institutional capital. The Singapore-based premium experience platform will deploy proceeds toward five to six targeted M&A deals over the next 24 months, strengthen central operating capabilities and expand flagship brands globally, as it works toward a potential IPO in the medium term.

💡Founded in 2025 and operating in Monaco, Singapore and Abu Dhabi, the group focuses on profitable, cash-generative assets within what it describes as the growing global premium experience economy.

Singapore

DBS Bank and Granite Asia have launched a $110 million AI-focused IPO fund to invest in high-growth Asian AI companies and accelerate their path to public markets. The three-year partnership will channel capital from DBS wealth clients into IPO opportunities and related growth investments, leveraging Granite Asia’s track record in guiding companies from private markets to listings. The fund aims to support Asia’s expanding AI ecosystem, where thousands of AI-driven companies have emerged in recent years and now require expansion capital.

💡The collaboration also includes plans for additional funds and co-investment structures targeting technology transformation and non-dilutive capital solutions for Asian businesses.


South Korea-Singapore

The Invention Lab and Qube Research & Technologies completed a seed investment in Singapore AI computing startup RIDM, backing its dataflow computing architecture aimed at addressing AI memory bottlenecks. RIDM, founded by engineers from the National University of Singapore and holding three international patents, is pursuing commercialization and proof-of-concept work with QRT to validate its architecture for high-performance computing applications.

💡RIDM’s architecture, called DODA, targets the “Memory Wall” problem in AI and HPC by simplifying spatial compilation and enabling development in C++. The companies are testing FPGA acceleration to demonstrate low-latency performance, while RIDM operates with a lightweight IP-focused structure and plans strategic collaborations following technology validation.


USA-China

Unity Software is considering a sale of its China unit at a valuation above $1 billion. with advisers sounding out potential buyers. Talks are preliminary and no deal is in place. Unity has operated in China since 2012, with its engine used in titles such as Tencent’s Honor of Kings, and the business generates annual revenue in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The review comes after the company’s shares fell more than 60% since early 2026, despite Q4 2025 revenue rising sequentially to $503.1 million.

💡Unity China’s backers include Alibaba Group, China Mobile and ByteDance, with some holding redemption rights tied to performance targets. Analysts say a divestment could ease capital strain as competitive pressure mounts following Google DeepMind’s release of Genie 3, an AI model that generates interactive 3D worlds from text or images, raising concerns over demand for traditional game engines.

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Environmental Sustainability

Courts and regulators are tightening oversight of environmental claims; investment in green hydrogen and sustainability initiatives continues, reflecting ongoing momentum toward decarbonization alongside rising demands for transparency.

Australia

The Federal Court of Australia ruled in favour of Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility in its greenwashing case against Santos Limited, dismissing claims that the company’s references to “clean energy,” net-zero targets and hydrogen plans were misleading.

💡The court held that the representations in Santos’ 2020 Investor Day materials and climate reports would not reasonably be interpreted as guarantees of zero emissions or unconditional future outcomes, and that the company’s disclosures about its emissions strategy and use of carbon capture and offsets were not deceptive.

China-South Korea

Envision has completed the world’s first commercial shipment of green ammonia from its Chifeng facility in Inner Mongolia to South Korea’s LOTTE Fine Chemical, marking the first end-to-end delivery across the green ammonia value chain from renewable hydrogen production to international maritime transport. The cargo originates from Envision’s renewable energy–powered production base in Chifeng, which synthesizes hydrogen and ammonia using a fully renewable power system and AI-driven energy orchestration, demonstrating commercial viability of zero-carbon ammonia exports.

💡The facility currently produces 320,000 tons of green ammonia annually, with exports beginning in Q4 2025 and capacity projected to expand to 1.5 million tons per year by 2028. The shipment was highlighted as a benchmark case for clean industrial infrastructure at the World Economic Forum,


India

Advertising Standards Council of India has launched its first influencer-driven consumer awareness campaign targeting greenwashing and dark patterns in digital advertising. The initiative under ASCI Academy aims to educate consumers on evaluating sustainability claims, recognising misleading eco-labels and identifying deceptive digital design practices such as hidden charges and interface tactics that steer purchasing decisions.

💡Digital creators will produce educational content to help audiences make informed choices and critically assess advertising claims.

India

Tata Motors, in partnership with the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, will deploy 40 hydrogen internal combustion engine trucks at the Thoothukudi port under a government-backed project, with deliveries scheduled by 2028. The deployment follows an MoU to trial hydrogen prime movers and phase in H2 ICE trucks supported by a 2 MW electrolyser and onsite hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, aimed at decarbonising port logistics operations.

💡The trucks will use the Prima 55-tonne prime mover powered by a 6.7-litre hydrogen ICE engine producing 216 kW and 1,200 Nm of torque, with an estimated range of up to 500 kilometres per refuelling and a 38-tonne payload capacity. The engine is manufactured by Tata Cummins, a joint venture between Tata Motors and Cummins.

Indonesia

The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry has frozen environmental permits for 80 mining operations as part of a compliance review covering 1,358 coal and nickel extraction units across 14 provinces deemed environmentally critical. About 250 units have been inspected so far, and officials say more suspensions may follow as evaluations continue, particularly where operations are linked to environmental damage such as flooding. The review aligns with Government Regulation No. 22/2021, which prioritizes out-of-court resolution of environmental disputes before litigation.

💡Authorities estimate enforcement actions could generate IDR5–6 trillion ($298–358 million) in state revenue and aim to create a deterrent effect for non-compliant operators.

Indonesia and Thailand

Earth Journalism Network launched four seed grants under its Business and Climate Media Initiative to support new reporting on business and climate issues in Indonesia and Thailand. The grants aim to help media outlets develop sustained investigative coverage of climate impacts and corporate environmental claims, reflecting Southeast Asia’s vulnerability to climate change and the region’s expanding private sector influence on emissions and sustainability.

💡Recipients include Narasi, which will investigate greenwashing and environmental impacts of industries, and Bisnis Indonesia, which will report on business and policy dynamics in waste management. In Thailand, Prachatai will examine clean energy transitions and carbon markets, while Cloud and Ground will produce long-form reporting on sustainable forestry and reforestation beyond symbolic tree-planting efforts.


Southeast Asia

The International Finance Corporation has committed $25 million to Seraya Partners Fund I to back sustainable infrastructure in Southeast Asia. The equity investment will anchor the fund’s emerging markets sleeve, targeting decarbonization, connectivity and inclusive growth projects in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Impact will be tracked through metrics such as renewable energy generation and digital capacity expansion.

💡The sleeve marks Seraya’s first dedicated allocation to emerging Southeast Asian markets and will invest alongside a developed Asia-Pacific sleeve to link regional value chains and support job creation.

South Korea-Canada

Hyundai Motor Group has proposed building hydrogen fuel-cell corridors in Canada as part of an industrial package linked to its bid in the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, valued at up to ₩60 trillion ($44.4 billion). The plan envisions three to four hydrogen networks supporting rail and heavy-duty transport, positioning energy infrastructure investment alongside defense procurement to strengthen the consortium’s proposal and expand Canada’s clean-transport capabilities.

💡The submarine competition has narrowed to a final contest between a South Korean consortium led by Hanwha Oceanand Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.

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Aviation

Aviation markets face operational disruptions and structural shifts, from airspace closures in the Middle East to regulatory action and infrastructure investment. Growth at AirAsia MOVE, Teleport, and Singapore Airlines illustrates industry resilience, while strategic acquisitions and infrastructure projects point to longer-term expansion and modernization.

Australia

Works have begun on enabling the long-planned rail connection to Melbourne Airport, with construction starting on an expanded interchange at Sunshine Station. The $4.1 billion project will untangle the rail junction, add new tracks and platforms, and realign existing lines to create space for the airport rail link, which will connect the airport to the metropolitan network and regional services.

💡The works include six kilometres of new track, two rail bridges and infrastructure upgrades to support the future airport line. A new station will also be built at Albion as part of the realignment, while Sunshine Station will receive a longer concourse and additional platforms to integrate airport services with the Metro Tunnel and regional rail.

Global

Commercial aviation across the Middle East was heavily disrupted after military hostilities linked to the conflict involving Iran prompted widespread airspace closures. Airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi reported missile strikes and operational suspensions, while hubs such as Doha also closed. Major carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airwayscancelled thousands of flights as countries such as Israel, Iran, Iraq and neighbouring states restricted airspace, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded or diverted.

💡International airlines responded by suspending services across the region. Air India halted Middle East routes, while Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa paused flights to multiple destinations. Air France, Iberia, Wizz Air and Cathay Pacific Airways also cancelled operations. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency advised carriers to avoid affected airspace, underscoring the broader impact on global travel and aviation networks.


India

Directorate General of Civil Aviation has grounded four Learjet aircraft operated by VSR Aviation following an audit triggered by a January crash that killed five people at Baramati airstrip. The audit found non-compliances in airworthiness and operational procedures, and the aircraft will remain grounded until standards are restored and a root cause analysis is reviewed. The regulator also issued deficiency reports and will intensify oversight, introducing stricter compliance and transparency requirements for non-scheduled operators.

💡The action follows multiple accidents involving VSR Aviation aircraft and broader safety concerns in India’s non-scheduled aviation sector. DGCA is implementing new measures including online disclosure of aircraft age and maintenance history, a safety ranking system for operators, and tougher penalties for procedural breaches. Operators must strengthen weather awareness, training, and maintenance compliance, while senior management will be held accountable for systemic safety failures.

Malaysia

AirAsia MOVE, the digital arm of Capital A, reported 2025 revenue of more than MYR641 million ($165 million), with EBITDA of MYR84 million and net operating profit of MYR65 million, translating to profit after tax of over MYR54 million. In Q4, revenue surged to MYR300 million, tripling quarter on quarter and nearly doubling year on year, driven by its B2B segment, which accounted for about 55% of revenue. Quarterly EBITDA reached MYR45 million and NOP MYR40 million, with margins supported by low marketing spend and lower interest costs.

Excluding B2B, flight transactions rose 12% quarter on quarter and gross booking value (GBV) climbed 28% on higher average spend. Ancillary attach rates were 23% above peer OTAs, while partnerships with VietJet and IndiGo expanded inventory. Stays conversion improved to 2.3% from 1.9% a year earlier, lifting transactions 2% and GBV 18% year on year.

💡Duty Free GBV jumped 157% following launches in the Philippines and Indonesia, as the company invests in content, technology and a virtual concierge to drive user growth and retention.


Malaysia

Teleport, the logistics arm of Capital A, reported fourth-quarter 2025 revenue of MYR367 million ($94.45 million), up 10% year on year despite a 4% decline in Asia-Pacific market yield. Quarterly volume rose 19% to 102,688 tons, while parcels surged 165% to 63 million, with a record daily peak of 974,000 parcels. Net operating profit reached MYR5.2 million ($1.34 million), improving MYR7.5 million from a year earlier.

For FY2025, Teleport posted record volume of 347,885 tons (+18%) and 167 million parcels (+99%), lifting revenue 11% to MYR1.2 billion. Full-year NOP hit MYR18.6 million, marking a MYR40 million turnaround from a MYR21 million net loss in FY2024, supported by cost controls and refinancing of a loan from Deutsche Bank in Q3.

💡The company said $50 million in pre-IPO growth capital from HPS Investment Partners will fund expansion as it scales its asset-light model integrating third-party airlines, AirAsia belly space and dedicated freighters.

Singapore

StateSquare Capital has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Advanced Integrated Manufacturing Corp. Pte Ltd (AIM), a Singapore-based aerospace and defense electronics manufacturing services provider. Financial terms were not disclosed, with closing expected by the first quarter of 2026.

StateSquare said it will back AIM’s organic expansion and fund acquisitions in Europe and North America to build a larger independent EMS platform serving global aerospace and defense customers.

💡Founded in 1999, AIM operates in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the United Kingdom, delivering flight-critical electronic and mechanical manufacturing solutions from prototyping to testing.

Singapore-India

Singapore Airlines said it remains committed to supporting the transformation of Air India alongside owner Tata Sonsdespite continued losses from the investment. Losses from associated companies widened to S$178 million in the December 2025 quarter, reflecting a full-quarter recognition of Air India’s results and ongoing restructuring efforts as the carrier strengthens its network and operational reliability.

💡Group revenue rose 5.5% year on year to a record S$5.5 billion on 6.3% higher passenger traffic, driven largely by growth at low-cost subsidiary Scoot. Net profit fell 68.9% to S$505 million due to the absence of a prior-year S$1.1 billion non-cash gain from the disposal of Vistara during the Air India merger. The carrier expects passenger demand to remain healthy but cited uncertainty in cargo markets amid geopolitical and trade volatility.

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Advanced Air Mobility

Advanced air mobility development is accelerating in China through initiatives; prototype demonstrations and infrastructure partnerships globally indicate growing technical validation, even as regulatory and funding challenges shape commercialization pathways.

China

AutoFlight has partnered with Yueyang City in Hunan Province to build a low-altitude economy ecosystem leveraging eVTOL aircraft for logistics, tourism and emergency services. The agreement involves local development entities and aims to create a water-land-air operational network integrating cultural and transport nodes around regional assets such as Dongting Lake and Yueyang Tower.

💡The initiative follows a phased rollout prioritizing cargo and suburban operations before passenger services, with plans for a regional assembly and delivery centre in Yueyang. AutoFlight intends to attract complementary industries in manufacturing, data services and finance to establish a broader low-altitude economy value chain, while pilot demonstrations of zero-carbon eVTOL applications provided operational validation for logistics and tourism scenarios.

China

A showcase in Wuhan featured multiple eVTOL prototypes, including the Sparrow-X2 from Wuhan Fosenix General Aviation Co and a 1.2-ton eVTOL from E-HAWK Technology. The Sparrow-X2 is a six-seat aircraft with medical configurations and a reported range of up to 1,200 kilometers using a range extender, while the E-HAWK model features a ducted fan configuration.

💡Both demonstrations highlighted applications such as medical transport and urban air mobility as the platforms undergo testing and potential commercialization.

China-USA

DJI has filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission challenging a US ban that blocks new DJI drone models from being sold in the country. The company asked the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to review the FCC’s order, arguing the blacklist was imposed without proper authority or due process and that regulators have not identified specific national security evidence against DJI products.

💡The FCC’s action placed DJI on a “Covered List” restricting foreign telecommunications equipment deemed to pose security risks, limiting US market access for consumers, businesses and public safety users. DJI argues the ban lacks transparency and procedural fairness, citing independent security audits and claiming there is no proof its drones enable espionage.

India

The ePlane Company is in advanced talks to raise $40–50 million in a funding round expected to be co-led by deep-tech investor Speciale Invest. The capital will support product development, regulatory certification and preparation for commercial deployment of its eVTOL air taxi platform as the Chennai-based startup advances urban air mobility solutions.

💡The funds are intended to accelerate prototype testing, engineering expansion and certification with aviation authorities while strengthening manufacturing readiness.

South Korea

Supernal has laid off most of its workforce, reducing staff by roughly 300 people and leaving about 70–80 employees to maintain limited operations, according to media reports and LinkedIn posts from senior executives. The cuts follow a broader restructuring after the company paused development of its aircraft programme in 2025 as it reassessed commercial timelines and funding priorities.

💡Supernal had previously developed a technology demonstrator that completed its first flight in March 2025 and aimed to advance an S-A2 prototype later in the decade.

UK-South Korea

Skyports Infrastructure and Korean Air have signed an MoU to develop a technology platform for managing eVTOL operations, aiming to enable safe and scalable commercial advanced air mobility services. The partnership will integrate Skyports’ Vertiport Automation System with Korean Air’s flight operations and traffic management technology to support operational interoperability and real-world deployment.

💡The collaboration focuses on joint testing and validation of operational frameworks, including vertiport operations and air traffic integration, to address gaps in commercial eVTOL implementation. Both companies intend to create systems that support future AAM networks, building on Skyports’ vertiport developments in markets such as Dubai and Korea and Korean Air’s aerospace and operational experience.

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Marine

Marine investment and industry restructuring continue, with new shipbuilding orders and offshore projects alongside efforts to improve governance and operational efficiency.

China-Hong Kong

Chizhou Tianyu Shipbuilding and Hong Kong Word Engineering Company have signed a contract to build a 64.8-metre anchor handling tug supply vessel, marking Guichi Shipbuilding Industrial Base’s first foreign trade order of 2026. The AHTS will feature 1,400-tonne deadweight capacity, DP2 dynamic positioning and SMART notations for offshore operations, targeting deep-sea and shallow-water applications in China and international markets.

💡The deal builds on prior cooperation, including a 2025 order for two heavy-duty deck carriers, underscoring steady growth in export shipbuilding from Guichi Shipbuilding Industrial Base.


India

Indian National Shipowners’ Association has become a full member of International Chamber of Shipping, reflecting India’s growing role in global maritime affairs and international shipping policy discussions.

💡The membership gives Indian shipowners representation in global policymaking forums as the country expands its maritime industry and seeks greater influence in shipping governance and standards.


Japan

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha is creating K Line Ship Management Holdings to oversee its shipmanagement units under a single structure from April 1. The aim is to centralise technical oversight and resource sharing while individual companies continue daily vessel operations.

💡The change responds to decarbonisation, digitalisation and workforce pressures in shipmanagement, seeking faster coordination and stronger management standards—similar to integration moves by peers in the industry.


Malaysia

Nam Cheong has won $64.5 million in contracts to build four offshore support vessels—its first shipbuilding order in over a decade—covering dive support vessels and unmanned remotely operated landing crafts for delivery in 2027–28.

💡The remotely operated craft will use satellite control and auto-docking technology developed with SeaOwl Group, supporting offshore logistics and fleet renewal as ageing vessels approach replacement cycles.

Philippines

A consortium of Seawind Asia, Stream Invest and Triconti ECC Renewables has secured grid connection agreements for 1.65GW of offshore wind across three Philippine sites (450MW Frontera Bay, 600MW Guimaras Strait, 600MW Guimaras Strait II), removing a key transmission barrier and enabling participation in the government’s upcoming renewable energy auction.

💡The projects support Philippines’ goal of expanding renewable generation to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040 as it shifts away from imported fossil fuels.

Singapore-Malaysia

OceanSTAR Elite has secured a 15-year lease, operation and maintenance contract with Petronas Carigali for an FPSO supporting the Sepat redevelopment offshore Malaysia. The project covers engineering, construction and commissioning of a newbuild FPSO based on OceanSTAR’s standardised hull design, capable of processing at least 30,000 barrels per day with gas handling and future injection capabilities. Work is in engineering, with long-lead procurement under way.

💡Petronas previously awarded offshore transport and installation work for the project to Vantris Energy, scheduled for completion in 2029.

Space

Space programs are expanding across commercial, research and government sectors, with initiatives advocating human spaceflight engagement and missions advancing in-orbit testing. National investments and experimental launches reflect sustained momentum toward broader space capabilities despite operational delays and technological risk.

Australia

The International Space Centre at The University of Western Australia is leading a cross-sector campaign urging government support for human spaceflight participation to strengthen Australia’s role in the global space economy and deepen collaboration with the European Space Agency.

💡The proposal, backed by universities, industry and political stakeholders, argues that involvement in human spaceflight could drive economic and research opportunities while positioning Australia within international space supply chains and technology partnerships.

Australia

HEO and researchers from UNSW Canberra Space will conduct Australia’s first active-propulsion Rendezvous and Proximity Operations mission using HEO’s Continuum-1 satellite as an in-orbit test platform. The project, supported by Defence Trailblazer funding, enables fuel-powered proximity maneuvers to validate algorithms for efficient orbital operations and close-range satellite inspection.

💡The mission aims to generate high-fidelity data for space domain awareness and sensor calibration while advancing sovereign RPO capabilities.

Australia

Gilmour Space Technologies has joined the Defence and Space Landing Pad at Lot Fourteen in South Australia to engage with the state’s space ecosystem and strengthen collaboration with regulators and industry partners as it develops launch and satellite capabilities. The move places the Queensland-based launch provider within a regional innovation hub alongside government and research organisations, supporting coordination as it scales operations.

💡The Landing Pad offers workspace and business support for space and defence firms seeking a local presence, enabling companies to integrate with South Australia’s technology and research networks.

Australia-USA

An Australian-built hypersonic aircraft flown by Hypersonix was deployed into space during a suborbital test mission launched by Rocket Lab from the United States. The mission carried the DART AE scramjet demonstrator into a hypersonic flight environment to validate high-speed propulsion performance under real operational conditions, supporting ongoing research into reusable hypersonic systems and advanced aerospace capabilities.

💡By testing the vehicle in a suborbital trajectory at several times the speed of sound, the flight provided engineering data intended to improve technology readiness for defence and commercial aerospace applications as hypersonic systems progress toward operational maturity.

China

China Manned Space Agency plans two crewed space missions and one cargo resupply flight in 2026, with astronauts from Hong Kong and Macao expected to fly and one astronaut from Pakistan scheduled for a short-term payload specialist mission aboard the Chinese space station. The agency also targets a crewed lunar landing before 2030 as development of the Long March-10 rocket, Mengzhou spacecraft and Lanyue lander advances, alongside construction of supporting infrastructure at the Wenchang space launch site and ground systems for lunar operations.

💡CMSA reported 267 research projects deployed on the station.

Japan

Space One Co cancelled the planned launch of its Kairos rocket unit No.3 from Spaceport Kii in Kushimoto due to unfavourable weather conditions. The company cited weaker-than-expected air flow at altitude, raising concerns that potential flight-direction changes could create excessive structural stress on the rocket. The launch has been postponed to Wednesday or later as conditions are reassessed.

💡This is the latest delay for the mission following earlier schedule changes and the failed launches of Kairos units No.1 and No.2 in 2024. The Kairos No.3 rocket, a three-stage solid-fuel vehicle with a liquid-fuel adjustment engine, remains in preparation for flight once weather and operational conditions meet safety requirements.

South Korea

Korea AeroSpace Administration reported that the government plans to invest 1.1605 trillion won in the space sector in 2026, funding projects including the fifth launch of the Nuri rocket and development of a lunar lander as part of the second phase of lunar exploration. The budget, exceeding 1 trillion won for a second consecutive year, also supports launch infrastructure for solid-fuel systems and initiatives to strengthen space risk preparedness and situational awareness capabilities.

💡Satellite information utilisation projects will receive 129.2 billion won across 42 programmes spanning meteorology, ocean monitoring and environmental applications, with new AI-driven services aimed at expanding data usage.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

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Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: IFC & SMFG $500M Digital Inclusion Bond; India AI Summit Spurs $250B Infrastructure & $20B Deep Tech Pledges; Peak XV Raises $1.3B for AI & Fintech; Indonesia–US Trade Pact Signed; Malaysia Boosts Cybersecurity Funding; SBI to Buy Majority of Coinhako; and Tower Capital Asia Acquires V-Key Stake

Environmental Sustainability: Australian Sugar Manufacturers Calls for National Ethanol Mandate; India Green Hydrogen Bid Hits $3.08/kg; Google–Government of India Climate Tech Center Launched; Spain–China €1B Green Hydrogen Plan; and South Korea Hydrogen Rectifier Deployment

Aviation: Amphibian Aerospace Industries Orders 15 Albatross 2.0 Aircraft; BOC Aviation $3.5B Credit Facility Renewed with Bank of China; China’s Lishui Airport Opens After 17 Years; COMAC Accelerates C929 Widebody Development with Aviage Systems; and Japan Considers In-Flight Power Bank Restrictions

Advanced Air Mobility: EHang Multi-Aircraft Demo Sets Record; INFLYNC L600 eVTOL Completes First Flight; SkyDrive and 7A Drones Agree to SD-05 eVTOL Purchase; NASA Urban Noise Study Highlights Sensitivity; and SkyGrid and Wisk Aero Propose Automated Flight Rules

Marine: DUG Technology and Searcher Seismic Reprocess East Sarawak Data; China’s Qingdao Port Executes Autonomous Autonomous Ship Operations; MISC Berhad Secures 15-Year FSO Charter; Sinokor Becomes Major VLCC Operator; and Bangkok Trials Electric Boat Taxis

Space: Airbus AALTO HAPS Plans Australian Zephyr Base; Space Epoch Secures Series B for Reusable Rockets; Pixxel Space and Dhruva Space Partner with Exotrail; JAXA Advances Global Cloud Observation Method; and Japan Pursues Space-Based Solar Power Demonstration

Financing & Investments

Capital is flowing toward digital infrastructure and regional technology bets—highlighted by the social bond from International Finance Corporation and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, new funds from Peak XV Partners, and acquisitions such as SBI Holdings, Inc.’s move on the Coinhako Group—suggesting investors favor infrastructure-linked growth and consolidation in digital finance.

Asia-Pacific

International Finance Corporation has partnered with Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group to launch a $500 million social bond dedicated exclusively to digital inclusion, targeting micro, small and medium enterprises in emerging markets. The bond, structured under SMFG’s Social Finance Framework aligned with the ICMA Social Bond Principles, marks IFC’s first investment in a thematic bond focused on digital inclusion and its first investment in TLAC-eligible instruments in Asia Pacific.

💡Proceeds will be allocated to eligible digital inclusion projects, including lending through SMFG India Credit Company Limited to expand MSME access to finance via digital channels. The initiative aims to help narrow financing gaps by streamlining loan processes and enhancing credit assessments using alternative data.

India

India’s AI Impact Summit reported more than $250 billion in infrastructure commitments and about $20 billion in deep tech venture investment pledges, according to officials. The infrastructure figure largely reflects announced plans for data centers, computing capacity and connectivity projects rather than immediate capital deployment. Major domestic conglomerates including Reliance Industries Limited and Adani Group outlined multiyear investment intentions totaling roughly $210 billion in AI and digital infrastructure.

💡The summit also endorsed a nonbinding declaration on AI development signed by 88 countries and organizations, signaling broad but voluntary international alignment on AI governance and economic inclusion. Plans for semiconductor expansion in Uttar Pradesh, including facilities linked to Micron Technology, Inc., aim to strengthen domestic technology supply chains.

India

Peak XV Partners has closed $1.3 billion in fresh capital commitments across three new funds focused on India and the Asia-Pacific region. The capital will be deployed over the next two to three years toward investments in artificial intelligence, fintech and other technology startups, with most allocations targeted at India.

💡Global investors continue increasing commitments to the region, including a planned $5 billion investment by General Catalyst in Indian companies over coming years. Venture activity remains concentrated in technology and growth-stage opportunities as funds position for returns in high-growth sectors.

Indonesia-USA

Indonesia and United States have finalized a reciprocal trade agreement aimed at expanding market access and reducing trade barriers. The pact includes Indonesian commitments to eliminate tariffs on most U.S. exports and address non-tariff measures, while the U.S. will maintain reciprocal tariff structures and consider the agreement’s implications for trade policy and national security.

💡The deal accompanies approximately $33 billion in commercial agreements spanning energy, aerospace and agriculture. A separate arrangement involving Freeport-McMoRan extends mining operations in Indonesia’s Grasberg district, supporting critical mineral supply chains and long-term investment commitments.


Malaysia

VentureTECH Sdn Bhd has committed MYR28 million to Delta Spike Asia Sdn Bhd and IX Telecom Sdn Bhd to strengthen Malaysia’s cybersecurity capabilities and cross-border digital infrastructure. The funding aims to support platform enhancement, capacity building and regional expansion, advancing Malaysia’s cyber resilience and positioning the country as a regional digital connectivity hub.

💡Delta Spike delivers end-to-end managed detection and response services through a Gen AI-enabled security operations model serving enterprise, financial and telecommunications clients across several markets. IX Telecom operates as a Bumiputera-owned hybrid virtual network operator with coverage spanning more than 200 countries and territories, providing global connectivity and digital infrastructure solutions while transitioning toward a Telco-as-a-Service platform.

Japan-Singapore

SBI Holdings, Inc. plans to acquire a majority stake in Coinhako Group through its subsidiary SBI Ventures Asset Pte. Ltd., in partnership with existing shareholder Holdbuild Pte. Ltd. The proposed transaction includes both an investment in Coinhako and the purchase of shares from current shareholders, with completion subject to regulatory approvals and final agreement on transaction structure.

💡Coinhako operates digital asset services via Hako Technology Pte. Ltd., which is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and through Alpha Hako Ltd.. If completed, Coinhako is expected to become a consolidated subsidiary of SBI Holdings, with the parties stating that the integration aims to enhance digital asset services and infrastructure within SBI’s broader strategy in the digital finance sector.


Singapore

Tower Capital Asia has acquired a majority stake in V-Key, a provider of digital identity and mobile application security solutions. The investment is intended to support V-Key’s technology development and market expansion amid growing demand for secure digital services in financial and enterprise applications.

💡V-Key’s platform delivers tools for identity verification and mobile application protection used by institutions across multiple markets. The transaction is expected to provide resources for product development and regional growth as organizations continue adopting mobile and digital security solutions.

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Environmental Sustainability

Falling clean-energy costs and policy experiments—from Australia’s ethanol mandate push by Australian Sugar Manufacturers, India’s record-low green hydrogen bid, and climate initiatives by Google with the Government of India—signal accelerating decarbonization, though success will depend on sustained demand signals and industrial scale.

Australia

Australian Sugar Manufacturers has called for a national ethanol mandate modelled on E10 requirements in Queenslandto stimulate investment in domestic ethanol production and support development of sustainable aviation fuel and other low-carbon liquid fuels. The group argues that a mandate would provide demand certainty, encourage private capital in biorefineries and supply feedstock for hard-to-electrify sectors such as aviation and heavy industry while strengthening Australia’s sovereign fuel capability.

💡ASM said existing state-based arrangements have been weakened by exemptions and inconsistent application, reducing investor confidence and limiting growth in domestic ethanol capacity. A national framework, the group contends, would deliver more predictable market conditions and enable long-term expansion of low-emission fuel production as Australia seeks pathways to decarbonize transport and industrial energy use.


India

India has recorded its lowest bid for green hydrogen supply at 279 rupees ($3.08) per kilogram in a tender to provide 10,000 tons annually to Numaligarh Refinery Limited, which is majority owned by Oil India Limited. Nine bidders participated in the auction, though the winning bidder was not disclosed.

💡The price is being described by officials as a milestone in India’s clean energy push and reflects falling production costs supported by abundant renewable energy and government incentives.

India

Google and the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India have announced a climate technology collaboration, launching the Google Center for Climate Technology on the PSA’s Manthan platform. The initiative aims to support India’s research and development ecosystem by providing access to AI tools and sustainability-focused resources to advance decarbonization and climate innovation.

💡The center will solicit proposals in areas including workforce development for green industries, sustainable aviation fuel and low-carbon construction, with selected projects receiving support to build AI-driven solutions for environmental challenges.

Spain-China

MASPV plans to partner with Shanghai Shaanyao Group and Eontsing on green hydrogen projects in Spain with investments exceeding €1 billion ($1.4 billion), according to reports.

💡The Chinese companies would provide technical experience while MASPV contributes development experience from its solar energy operations, targeting projects expected to begin operations in 2026, though details on locations and production capacity have not been disclosed.


South Korea

A hydrogen project on Jeju Island will use a 5 MW rectifier system supplied by KraftPowercon for an electrolyzer installation being built by HyAxiom, Inc. The system will convert medium-voltage AC power to controlled DC for the electrolyzer stacks as part of industrial-scale hydrogen production on the island.

💡The rectifier uses a containerized, plug-and-play design intended to simplify installation and commissioning while supporting stable DC delivery and grid-friendly operation. Developers said the architecture aims to reduce harmonic impact on the grid and enable reliable electrolyzer performance under varying renewable-heavy power conditions.

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Aviation

Orders for the amphibious Amphibian Aerospace Industries platform, development momentum at COMAC, infrastructure expansion such as China’s Lishui Airport, and regulatory tightening on in-flight batteries reflect simultaneous growth and risk management in aviation as manufacturers and regulators adapt to new operational paradigms.

Australia-India

Amphibian Aerospace Industries has received an order from Apogee Aerospace for 15 aircraft based on the Albatross 2.0 amphibious design, a modernized derivative of the historic flying boat platform. The agreement, valued at roughly $420 million, includes plans for manufacturing and systems integration in India as well as maintenance and training capabilities, though full production decisions remain subject to demand and certification requirements.

💡The Albatross 2.0 is positioned for roles in maritime operations, search and rescue, and passenger transport, leveraging a design that combines amphibious capability with modern turboprop engines and updated avionics. Developers say the aircraft targets niche markets where water-based operations and long-range versatility are required, offering an alternative to conventional fixed-wing platforms in regions with limited aviation infrastructure.


China

BOC Aviation Limited renewed its US$3.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with its largest shareholder, Bank of China, extending maturity to February 2031.

💡The revolving credit line was first established in 2007 and later increased to its current size, serving as a long-term source of funding for aircraft acquisitions and portfolio development.

China

Lishui Airport (LIJ) has opened in China’s Zhejiang province after 17 years of construction, providing the region’s first direct connection to the national aviation network. The airport’s initial capacity is one million passengers annually with provisions for future expansion, and its 12,000-square-meter terminal was designed by MAD Architects to blend with surrounding mountains through a curved, bird-inspired form and landscaped integration.

💡The facility begins operations with domestic routes to major Chinese cities and a planned international terminal in later phases. Authorities expect passenger capacity to rise to 1.8 million by 2030 and five million by 2050 as additional infrastructure is developed.

China

South China Morning Post reports that COMAC is accelerating development of its C929 widebody program, aiming to meet or advance its production timeline. Preliminary wind tunnel testing has begun and specialists from the Civil Aviation Administration of China are involved in design assessments and certification feedback, indicating closer regulatory participation in the aircraft’s development.

💡COMAC also signed a cooperation agreement with Aviage Systems to supply the core avionics processing system for the widebody jet; Aviage is a joint venture between General Electric Company and Aviation Industry Corporation of China.

Japan

Japan is considering a ban on the in-flight use of power banks and portable batteries to charge electronic devices after incidents in which batteries emitted smoke or caught fire on aircraft.

💡According to reports, the transportation ministry has notified domestic airlines that the measure could take effect in April, prohibiting both charging devices with power banks and using in-flight power outlets for portable batteries, while passengers would still be allowed to carry up to two power banks on board.

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Advanced Air Mobility

Record demonstrations by EHang, the first flight of INFLYNC’s eVTOL, and partnership activity involving SkyDrive Inc. contrast with NASA research on urban noise sensitivity and proposals for automated flight rules from SkyGrid and Wisk Aero, underscoring progress toward commercialization alongside unresolved community and regulatory challenges.

China

EHang performed an aerial demonstration at the Spring Festival Gala branch event in Hefei featuring 16 EH216-S eVTOL aircraft in formation and a drone light show using 22,580 GHOSTDRONE 4.0 UAVs, which set a record for simultaneous multirotor operations.

💡The synchronized flights and light displays formed animated imagery as part of the broadcast by China Media Group.

China

INFLYNC announced the first flight of its full-scale tilt-wing ducted-fan electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the INFLYNC L600. The company said the test flight was successfully completed but provided no additional technical or performance details.

💡The development marks a milestone in the firm’s effort to advance eVTOL technology, though further information on certification timelines and operational capabilities has not been released.

Japan-Taiwan

SkyDrive Inc. and 7A Drones Co., Ltd. have reached a general understanding for the purchase of 10 SKYDRIVE SD-05 eVTOL aircraft. The agreement includes plans for one delivery in 2028 and four in 2029, with remaining units subject to further scheduling, and supports a proposed emergency medical transport route between Magong City and Hujing Island to improve healthcare access in the Penghu Islands.

💡SkyDrive described the arrangement as its first Asian market commitment, while 7A Drones said the collaboration could support advanced air mobility applications and strengthen cross-border cooperation between Taiwan and Japan.

USA

NASA research on advanced air mobility noise suggests residents of dense urban areas report greater annoyance from simulated air taxi sounds than those in quieter suburbs, according to a 2025 study involving participants in Los Angeles, New York and Dallas-Fort Worth. Volunteers rated the bothersomeness of aircraft flyover simulations, with findings indicating heightened sensitivity to new noise sources among city dwellers, though the research did not assess operational masking effects or long-term exposure.

💡The study, part of NASA’s aeronautics research program and conducted with a small control group at NASA Langley Research Center, aims to inform aircraft design and community planning as electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles move toward commercial deployment.

USA

SkyGrid and Wisk Aero have released a white paper outlining Automated Flight Rules as a framework for scalable urban air mobility. The document builds on a prior concept paper and proposes automated traffic management, new airspace structures and a dedicated operating mode to support high-density low-altitude eVTOL operations in urban airspace.

💡The proposal argues that automated, certified decision-making can complement existing flight rules and reduce reliance on human coordination in congested airspace. Developers say the approach aims to modernize airspace management and enable commercial urban air mobility as operations scale, while inviting regulators and industry stakeholders to participate in validation and further development.

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Marine

Autonomous shipping milestones and digital data upgrades—such as China’s unmanned container operations and seismic reprocessing by DUG Technology and Searcher Seismic—point to maritime modernization, while vessel consolidation led by operators like Sinokor and long-term offshore contracts for MISC Berhad highlight continued demand for scale and energy infrastructure.

Australia-Malaysia

DUG Technology and Searcher Seismic have agreed to reprocess multi-client 3D seismic data offshore East Sarawak,covering more than 60 legacy surveys across up to 45,000 square kilometers. The project will use full waveform inversion imaging and pre-stack workflows to enhance subsurface resolution and create an updated seismic volume available for commercial licensing to exploration and development operators.

💡Reprocessing is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with interim results expected to support early acreage evaluation and final deliverables available from early 2027. The upgraded dataset aims to improve geological interpretation and prospect assessment around existing infrastructure, enabling companies to reassess hydrocarbon potential in the region.


China

The intelligent container ship Qingdao Port completed an unmanned autonomous navigation and berthing operation on February 21, marking China’s first fully automated end-to-end container ship process from navigation to mooring and cargo handling.

💡The vessel “Zhifei,” China’s first commercially deployed intelligent cargo ship, used autonomous navigation and an automated vacuum mooring system to berth in under 30 seconds before automated cranes and handling systems executed container operations via integrated control platforms.


Malaysia-Papua New Guinea

MISC Berhad has inked a 15-year bareboat charter agreement with Exxon Mobil Corporation to supply an offshore floating storage and offloading unit for Papua New Guinea’s first offshore FSO deployment.

💡Operations under the Kutubu Pipeline System are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2028, with an option to extend the charter for another 15 years; financial terms were not disclosed and MISC said the contract is not expected to materially affect earnings or balance sheet metrics in FY2026.


South Korea

Sinokor has become the largest operator of very large crude carriers after acquiring more than 50 secondhand VLCCs and securing additional tonnage under time charter, giving it control of about 118 vessels through ownership or charter arrangements.

💡Analysts say the position equates to roughly 13% of the active VLCC fleet and a larger share of the mainstream segment, marking an unprecedented concentration of supertanker capacity under a single operator.

Thailand

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is trialing electric boat taxis on the Phadung Krung Kasem canal with free rides to Bang Lamphu until 28 February. The service, bookable through the Muvmi application, forms part of the city’s push to modernize canal transport with greener vessels as an alternative to road travel.

💡The electric boats operate from 9am to 5pm and connect piers including Hua Lamphong Railway Station and Phra Sumen Fort, carrying up to six passengers per trip. Officials say the trial will inform future expansion of electric water transport as Bangkok seeks to reduce emissions and improve urban mobility.

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Space

Investment in reusable launch systems by Space Epoch, propulsion partnerships involving Pixxel Space, Dhruva Space, and Exotrail, and strategic initiatives such as the AALTO HAPS Zephyr base and Japan’s solar-power ambitions through Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and universities reflect a shift toward persistent, lower-cost space capabilities with commercial and sustainability applications.

Australia

Airbus subsidiary AALTO HAPS plans to establish northern Australia as its next base for Zephyr stratospheric operationsand is seeking local partners to build a payload ecosystem for high-altitude communications and Earth observation. The initiative would support launch and landing capabilities and commercial applications, with engagement sessions planned alongside the Northern Territory Government and industry stakeholders.

💡Zephyr, a solar-powered aircraft capable of long-duration flight in the stratosphere, demonstrated a 67-day continuous mission in 2025. The company argues that conditions in northern Australia make it well suited for operations and complementary services to satellite systems, potentially expanding aerospace innovation and commercial opportunities in the region with support from partners including Airbus.


China

Space Epoch has secured a Series B funding round as it advances toward a first orbital launch and recovery attempt scheduled for late this year. The company said the capital will support large-scale development and production of three Yuanxingzhe-1 reusable methane-liquid oxygen rockets, with ground testing planned for the second half of the year and a target of achieving orbital launch and booster recovery by year’s end.

Space Epoch’s Yuanxingzhe-1 vehicle is designed to carry up to 13,800 kilograms to low Earth orbit and claims reusability for up to 20 flights, aiming to reduce launch costs through a methane propulsion architecture.

💡The company is developing integrated manufacturing, testing and recovery capabilities across facilities in Beijing, Shandong and Hangzhou as it pursues commercial operations and a reusable launch model in China’s competitive private space sector.

France-India

Pixxel Space and Dhruva Space have partnered with French propulsion provider Exotrail to integrate advanced electric propulsion systems into upcoming satellite missions.

💡The deal, part of the India-France Innovation Year initiative launched by Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron, will see Exotrail’s space propulsion technology deployed on Pixxel satellites through 2027 and micro propulsion systems supplied to Dhruva Space to enhance orbital maneuverability and mission capabilities.

Japan

A study by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, working with researchers from the University of Tokyo and Kyushu University, has developed a method for observing cloud dynamics globally by combining satellite data with supercomputer simulations. The approach moves beyond simple cloud imaging, analyzing moisture transport and atmospheric interactions to improve understanding of precipitation and radiation effects.

💡Results show that Doppler velocity components from satellite measurements can be separated and accurately estimated, while simulations successfully reproduced observed boundary structures between rain and snow regions. The study also identified satellite-specific estimation errors, knowledge that could enhance future calibration and climate modeling efforts as scientists continue refining global cloud observation techniques.

Japan

Japan is advancing a space-based solar power initiative under the “OHISAMA” project to collect sunlight in orbit and transmit energy to Earth as microwaves, with a demonstration planned for fiscal 2025. The effort involves collaboration between researchers and partners including Kyoto University and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, aiming to explore whether solar energy gathered in space can provide a continuous renewable power source that avoids the limitations of weather and nighttime.

💡Although improvements in microwave transmission and lower launch costs have increased feasibility, major challenges remain. Engineers must design large structures in orbit and ensure safe energy delivery without interference to aircraft or satellites. If successful, the project could support Japan’s carbon neutrality goals and contribute to next-generation renewable energy systems, though widespread commercial deployment will require further technological and economic advances.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

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Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

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Summary

Financing & Investments: BNM Launches Ringgit Stablecoin and Tokenized Deposit Pilots; Bursa Malaysia and TERAJU Partner to Boost Bumiputera IPOs; OKX Ventures Backs STBL Stablecoin on X Layer; SLEEK EV Raises $8.5M Series A to Expand Thai EV Production; Grab to Acquire Stash Financial for $425M; Chipbond Opens $200M Semiconductor Facility in Penang; and G42 and Partners Plan $1B AI and Cloud Investment in Vietnam

Environmental Sustainability: HAMR Energy Raises AUD 10M Series A to Advance Low-Carbon Fuels; HKMA Expands Sustainable Finance Taxonomy to 25 Activities; Honeywell Deploys Ethanol-to-Jet SAF Project in India; Indian Researchers Develop Low-Cost Green Hydrogen Catalyst; Indonesia to Test Hydrogen Vehicles Ahead of GHES 2026; and Keppel and Aster Explore Commercial-Scale SAF Facility on Jurong Island

Aviation: HKIA Becomes First Airport to Operate Large Fleet of Autonomous Vehicles; Air New Zealand Cancels 46 Widebody Flights Amid Crew Strike; Rolls-Royce Singapore and EDB Sign MoU to Boost Aerospace Manufacturing; Boeing Launches BUILD Programme with NUS to Foster Aerospace Innovation; and Bell 505 Helicopter Enters South Korea for Firefighting Operations

Advanced Air Mobility: EHang Advances VT35 eVTOL Certification and Expands Production; United Aircraft Showcases Heavy-Lift and Firefighting UAVs at Singapore Airshow; India Explores Rooftop eVTOL Corridors for Urban Travel; SkyDrive Signs Deal with 7A Drones for Inter-Island Medical Flights in Taiwan; and Vertical Aerospace Tests eVTOL EMS Operations in Singapore

Marine: AET to Build Malaysia’s First Hybrid-Electric Shuttle Tanker; PaxOcean Opens $158M Shipyard with Innovation Hub in Singapore; NUS Develops Ammonia-Fueled Low-Emission Marine Engines; Shipbreaking in South Asia Raises Safety and Environmental Concerns; and Thai Navy Rescues Crew from Listing Containership

Space: Gilmour Space Expands in South Australia’s Landing Pad; iSpace Raises $729M for Reusable Rockets in China; China Plans Space-Based Data Centers to Boost AI; Japan to Test Solar Power from OHISAMA Satellite; and ALE Launches Third Satellite for Artificial Meteor Demonstration

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Financing & Investments

Southeast Asia is seeing a shift toward regulated digital finance and advanced tech, with central banks and investors testing new models—such as Malaysia piloting ringgit stablecoins and Singapore’s OKX backing real-asset stablecoins. At the same time, cross-border tech and manufacturing investments, like SLEEK EV’s Series A in Thailand and Chipbond’s new facility in Penang, show a focus on scaling production and infrastructure across the region.

Malaysia

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) announced that its Digital Asset Innovation Hub (DAIH) has onboarded three initiatives to test real-world applications of ringgit stablecoins and tokenized deposits in 2026. The pilots will focus on wholesale payment use cases, including domestic and cross-border transactions and the settlement of tokenized assets, in a controlled environment with corporate and regulatory partners. Some use cases will also consider Shariah compliance, with the aim of informing monetary and financial stability policy.

💡BNM said it expects to provide clearer guidance on ringgit stablecoins and tokenized deposits by the end of 2026, and that these initiatives could inform future work on a wholesale central bank digital currency (wCBDC).


Malaysia

Bursa Malaysia Berhad has signed a memorandum of collaboration (MoC) with Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (TERAJU) to support Bumiputera companies in preparing for initial public offerings (IPOs). The partnership aims to enhance market diversity by providing advisory support, networking opportunities with capital market intermediaries, and capacity-building programs to guide high-potential Bumiputera firms through IPO requirements.

💡Under the MoC, TERAJU will identify eligible companies, facilitate access to funding and incentives, and coordinate with stakeholders to provide holistic support during the listing process.


Singapore

OKX Ventures has made a strategic investment in STBL to support the launch of a real-world-asset-backed stablecoin on X Layer, OKX’s EVM-compatible Layer 2 blockchain. The initiative is in partnership with Hamilton Lane and Securitize, combining institutional private credit, regulated tokenization, and programmable settlement infrastructure to advance regulated on-chain financial products.

💡STBL will also introduce an Ecosystem-Specific Stablecoin (ESS) on X Layer using a dual-token model to separate liquid settlement from yield generation. The collaboration aims to scale regulated stablecoin issuance backed by tokenized real-world assets while providing efficient liquidity and yield management across on-chain ecosystems.

Singapore-Thailand

SLEEK EV, a Singapore-based and Thailand-operated electric motorcycle manufacturer, has announced an $8.5 million first close in its Series A funding round. The investment was led by KYMCO Capital, a private equity fund backed by global powersports manufacturer Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd (KYMCO), alongside more than twenty supply chain participants from Taiwan and mainland China.

According to SLEEK EV, the capital will be used to expand production capacity at a facility located along Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor, accelerate research and development of AI-driven software and user-experience features, and increase the number of EV S-Charge stations by more than seven times.

💡The company added that it plans to strengthen partnerships with organizations including PTT OR, Krungsri Auto, Toyota Tsusho, and Grab, while working with dealers and regulatory bodies to support charging and battery-swapping standards.


Singapore-USA

Grab Holdings Limited has signed definitive agreements to acquire 100 percent of Stash Financial, Inc. in a deal valued at $425 million. Grab said payment for a 50.1 percent stake will be made at closing through a mix of cash and stock, with the remaining interest to be acquired over three years at fair market value. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.

💡Stash, a U.S.-regulated investment advisor with more than $5 billion in assets under management, offers subscription-based investing, banking and financial education tools, including its AI Money Coach platform.


Taiwan-Malaysia

Chipbond Technology Corporation has opened a new advanced semiconductor packaging and testing facility in Penang, Malaysia, with a total investment of nearly $200 million. The plant will offer wafer bumping, wafer-level chip-scale packaging and testing, with an initial monthly capacity of 10,000 wafers and 100 million WLCSP units.

💡The facility is expected to complete internal qualification by the end of 2025, with customer qualification beginning in early 2026.

UAE-Vietnam

The Abu Dhabi-based technology holding group G42 and a consortium formed by FPT Corporation and Viet Thai Group have signed a framework cooperation agreement to develop up to $1 billion in sovereign artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure across Vietnam. The agreement aims to establish the legal, financial and regulatory framework for deploying hyperscale data centers and public cloud infrastructure, with planned cloud capacity across three data center locations to support public- and private-sector workloads.

💡Under the partnership, the parties aim to advance national-scale AI and cloud infrastructure through coordinated investment and deployment. The next phase will include regulatory approvals for public cloud adoption, workload planning between sectors and site development for data center infrastructure.

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Environmental Sustainability

Southeast Asia and Australia are advancing low-carbon transport and energy, with projects in sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen, and clean tech. Examples include HAMR Energy’s methanol-to-jet SAF in Australia, Honeywell’s ethanol-to-SAF in India, India’s low-cost green hydrogen catalyst, Indonesia’s hydrogen vehicle trials, and Keppel’s planned SAF facility in Singapore.

Australia

HAMR Energy announced the close of its AUD 10 million Series A funding round, with investment from Airbus, Qantas, and thyssenkrupp Uhde. The funding will support HAMR Energy’s pipeline of low-carbon liquid fuel projects, including the Portland Renewable Fuels (PRF) facility in Victoria, which will convert plantation forestry residues into 300,000 tonnes per year of low-carbon methanol for shipping and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The investment from Airbus and Qantas comes from their joint Australian Sustainable Aviation Fuel fund, and existing investors have recommitted, supporting HAMR Energy’s goal of strengthening Australian fuel security and decarbonising hard-to-abate transport sectors

💡The company is also developing Australia’s first major methanol-to-jet fuel facility, capable of producing over 135 million litres of SAF annually; HAMR Energy will leverage Honeywell’s UOP eFining™ process to convert methanol into SAF.

Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has released Phase 2A of its Sustainable Finance Taxonomy, expanding coverage from 12 to 25 economic activities and adding transition finance and climate adaptation elements. The update introduces a three-tier classification—Green, Transition, and Exclusion—enabling investors to identify activities aligned with net-zero goals, those progressing along credible decarbonisation pathways, and activities incompatible with a 1.5°C trajectory.

Phase 2A also adds climate adaptation measures, focusing on resilience technologies, processes, and services, while widening sector coverage to six, including manufacturing and ICT.

💡The expanded Taxonomy aims to mobilise capital to high-emitting sectors such as energy and manufacturing, providing time-bound eligibility criteria to ensure orderly decarbonisation. By aligning more closely with global frameworks, the update supports risk pricing, disclosure, and comparability for investors and lenders, while offering policymakers a tool to guide finance toward hard-to-abate sectors without compromising economic competitiveness.

India

Honeywell announced that TruAlt Bioenergy Limited will deploy its Ethanol-to-Jet (ETJ) technology to produce 80,000 tons per year of SAF in India, creating one of the country’s first dedicated ethanol-based SAF facilities.

💡Honeywell says the project will help India reduce aviation-sector CO₂ emissions and build industrial capacity for SAF, while TruAlt aims to create a scalable ethanol-to-SAF pathway linking local agriculture to global decarbonization efforts.

India

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad have developed a low-cost electrode material aimed at reducing the cost of green hydrogen production. The team created a catalyst using abundant elements such as molybdenum, vanadium, sulfur, and carbon, offering an alternative to expensive noble metals like platinum and ruthenium. The system reduces the energy required for electrochemical water splitting while maintaining strong catalytic performance.

💡The researchers also demonstrated hydrogen generation using commercially available silicon solar cells, indicating a potential solar-to-hydrogen pathway. Published in the journal Small (Wiley, 2026), the findings highlight a step toward affordable, locally produced green hydrogen, though industrial-scale validation and integration remain key challenges.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) will carry out road tests of hydrogen-powered buses, cars, and converted motorcycles in July as part of the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem Summit (GHES) 2026. The summit will also feature conferences, business matching, and hydrogen vehicle test drives, aiming to demonstrate the potential of hydrogen beyond its current use in fertilizer and refinery industries.

💡Hydrogen and ammonia have been designated strategic New Energy Sources under Government Regulation No. 40 of 2025, with hydrogen projected to contribute 10–12 percent of national primary energy by 2060.

Singapore

Keppel Ltd., through its Infrastructure Division, has partnered with Aster to jointly assess the development of a commercial-scale ethanol-to-jet (EtJ) SAF facility on Jurong Island, Singapore. The proposed plant is planned to produce up to 100,000 metric tons of SAF per year, subject to final investment decisions and regulatory approvals.

💡Under the agreement, Keppel and Aster will conduct front-end engineering design (FEED) studies to evaluate technical configuration, capital expenditure, financing, and offtake structures. The project, building on a completed feasibility study, aims to be one of Asia’s first purpose-built EtJ SAF facilities.

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Aviation

Airports and aerospace in Asia-Pacific are embracing automation, innovation, and talent development. Hong Kong leads with fully autonomous airport vehicles, Singapore focuses on aerospace manufacturing and university-led innovation programs, while operational challenges and new technology deployments appear in New Zealand and South Korea.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong International Airport has become the first airport globally to operate a large fleet of fully autonomous vehicles in daily operations. Its current fleet includes 56 autonomous electric tractors, eight patrol cars, and six staff shuttles, covering over 3 million kilometres without human intervention using Level 4 autonomy. Building on this success, HKIA plans to extend autonomous operations to landside passenger transport.

💡The electric tractors handle baggage transport along programmed routes and feature automated charging, significantly reducing the need for human drivers. Patrol vehicles monitor the airfield, detecting intrusions and anomalies, while autonomous buses will soon carry passengers between Terminal 2 and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, with a capacity of up to 2,000 passengers per hour per direction.

New Zealand

Air New Zealand has cancelled at least 46 widebody flights on 12–13 February in anticipation of a strike by its widebody cabin crew, affecting around 9,500 passengers. The industrial action follows failed negotiations with union E tū, which cited demanding, irregular schedules and shifting rosters as key concerns. The strike will be limited to widebody aircraft crew, while domestic and regional services are expected to operate normally.

💡The airline has retimed certain flights, redeployed aircraft, and plans some cargo-only services to minimise disruption, particularly on Tasman and Pacific routes.

Singapore

Rolls-Royce Singapore, Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia, and Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore growth opportunities in aerospace and power systems, focusing on advanced manufacturing, innovation, and collaboration.

💡Under the MoU, the partners will explore advancements in aerospace manufacturing and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operations, including initiatives beyond the existing Smart Manufacturing Joint Lab. Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia will also seek to expand capabilities in supporting regional data centre growth, while the parties plan to establish an AI Centre of Excellence to advance agentic AI applications in power systems.

Singapore

Boeing has launched the 2026 edition of its University Innovation Leadership Development (BUILD) programme in partnership with the National University of Singapore (NUS), marking its first university collaboration in Southeast Asia. The programme will engage NUS students, graduates, alumni, and early-stage entrepreneurs to develop aerospace-focused solutions while accelerating talent development in the region.

💡Participants will have access to Boeing experts, industry mentors, and innovation resources to help translate ideas into real-world applications for the aerospace sector.

South Korea

Bell Textron has announced that South Korea’s EnB Air has purchased a Bell 505 helicopter for initial attack firefighting missions, marking the aircraft’s debut in the country’s firefighting operations. The Bell 505, equipped with Garmin G1000H NXi avionics and a dual-channel FADEC-controlled engine, is designed for rapid response to contain fires before they spread, offering speed, agility, and advanced technology for tactical fire assessment in challenging terrain.

💡The order follows EnB Air’s 2024 acquisition of its first Bell 505, the initial commercial sale in South Korea.

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Advanced Air Mobility

Asia-Pacific is testing and expanding eVTOL and UAV operations for transport, logistics, and emergency services. China’s EHang and United Aircraft are scaling production and certification, India is studying urban air corridors, and Singapore and Taiwan will trial medical and EMS flights.

China

EHang is advancing its autonomous eVTOL program with plans to accelerate certification of its long-range VT35 lift-plus-cruise aircraft. Leveraging experience from the EH216-S multicopter—the first passenger-carrying autonomous eVTOL certified in China—the company expects the VT35 approval process to be faster, as many standards and components are already established. EHang is also exploring a potential hybrid-electric powertrain, though current development remains battery-electric focused.

💡Alongside certification, EHang is scaling its Yunfu manufacturing facility in Guangdong Province, doubling production area and adding automated lines to support projected output growth from 200 to up to 1,000 aircraft annually. International expansion is focused on markets with accessible certification pathways, such as Thailand and Brazil, while entry into the U.S. and Europe will require alignment with FAA and EASA standards.

China

United Aircraft Group returned to the 2026 Singapore Airshow showcasing five flagship UAVs, including the Lanying R6000 tiltrotor. The R6000, featuring a fly-by-light flight control system and a 342 mph cruise speed, completed its maiden flight in December 2025 and is undergoing tilt-mode testing to validate helicopter-to-fixed-wing transition.

Designed for heavy-lift, emergency response, and maritime operations, the UAV integrates a 4,400-lb payload capacity, 2,485 mi range, and AES100 turboshaft engine. United Aircraft is also developing airworthiness-certified crewed versions and continues flight campaigns to expand operational envelopes.

💡Other highlights included the Boying T1400, a tandem-rotor UAV for logistics and firefighting, capable of autonomous operations and delivering 4,400–6,600 lb of supplies per hour, and the TD550, China’s first type-certified uncrewed helicopter, used in flood relief and remote transport.

India

A new report from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) proposes a pilot air corridor linking Gurugram, Connaught Place, and Jewar International Airport to cut travel times from hours to minutes, highlighting the potential of eVTOL aircraft for urban mobility. The study envisions using rooftops as landing and parking sites for eVTOL aircraft, offering a cost-effective alternative to ground-based pads.

💡The report also outlines regulatory and operational steps needed to enable commercial rooftop flights, including forming a dedicated team within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to set safety and operational standards. In the near term, the report suggests using drones for cargo and medical deliveries over 50–100 km, with special testing zones like GIFT City or Andhra Pradesh, and calls for dedicated funding from banks and government agencies to support AAM infrastructure.

Japan-Taiwan

Japan’s SkyDrive has reached a framework agreement with Taiwan’s 7A Drones Co., Ltd. for the purchase of 10 SkyDrive Model SD-05 aircraft. The agreement covers pricing, delivery timelines, and a proposed emergency medical evacuation route linking Magong City on Penghu’s main island with Hujing Island. Deliveries are scheduled to begin with one aircraft in 2028, followed by four in 2029, with the remaining five to be determined.

💡The initiative aims to address inter-island transport challenges in the Penghu archipelago, particularly during winter when ferry services are often disrupted.

UK-Singapore

Vertical Aerospace has received a proof-of-concept grant from Singapore’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) to test how its Valo eVTOL aircraft could support emergency medical services on remote island communities. Backed through HTX’s Hatch innovation center under the Dimension X Cohort 7 challenge, the project will develop, test, and validate EMS operations, including patient transport, in-flight care, and operational procedures aligned with safety and regulatory standards.

💡The trial, running through April 2026, will feature a POC flight demonstration to evaluate feasibility, response times, and safety. Vertical will work closely with HTX, Hatch, and operational partners to explore how electric vertical and hybrid-electric aircraft could enhance time-critical medical response around Singapore’s outlying islands.

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Marine

Maritime projects focus on low-emission technologies and modernized infrastructure. Malaysia is building a hybrid-electric tanker, Singapore is developing ammonia-powered engines and a new shipyard, while South Asia continues to face safety and environmental issues in shipbreaking.

Malaysia

AET, the tanker arm of Malaysia’s MISC, has contracted Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corp to build its first hybrid-electric shuttle tanker, a 154,000 dwt unit scheduled for delivery in 2028.

💡The vessel will feature an electric energy storage system and be dual-fuel ethanol-ready, adding a lower-emissions option to AET’s fleet.

Singapore

PaxOcean has inaugurated a new S$200 million ($158 million) shipyard at 5 Jalan Samulun (5JS) in the Jurong Industrial Estate, replacing its previous facility at 33 Tuas Crescent. The 17.26-hectare yard features two graving docks, one floating dock, expanded quayside capacity, and integrated workshops to support repairs, upgrades, newbuilds, and conversion projects for complex maritime and offshore assets.

5JS includes a purpose-built Innovation Hub (iHub5) and a new Centre of Excellence in Engineering R&D, supporting advanced maritime technologies, carbon capture, digital twin applications, and decarbonisation initiatives. The shipyard is powered by photovoltaic panels and an energy-efficient ACMV system, earning BCA Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy (Provisional) and Whole Life Carbon certifications.

💡PaxOcean has committed over S$3.5 million in R&D over three years and plans to create 12 high-skilled engineering roles. 5JS is one of five PaxOcean shipyards across Singapore, China, and Indonesia, with a maintenance facility under construction in Saudi Arabia.

Singapore

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has initiated a research project to advance next-generation ammonia-fueled marine engines aimed at high efficiency and near-zero emissions. The project centers on an in-cylinder reforming gas recirculation (IRGR) engine concept designed to improve combustion while reducing unburned ammonia and other pollutants.

The team aims to produce scalable engine concepts to support low- and zero-emission vessels and strengthen Singapore’s position in sustainable maritime technology.

💡The three-year initiative involves a consortium of academic and industry partners, including Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanyang Technological University, A*STAR National Metrology Centre, Keppel Energy Nexus, Daihatsu, and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

South Asia

According to the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, 85% of the world’s scrapped vessels in 2025 were dismantled on beaches in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, raising serious safety and environmental concerns. Out of 321 ships globally, 214 were broken in these countries, resulting in 11 fatalities and 62 injuries. A major accident occurred at Ziri Subedar yard in Chattogram when an oil tank exploded during the dismantling of the Banglar Jyoti. While some yards in Bangladesh are approved under the International Maritime Organisation’s Hong Kong Convention (HKC), enforcement and reporting remain inconsistent.

The report also highlights systemic issues in global ship recycling, including “dark fleet” vessels evading safety regulations, lax oversight from exporting nations such as China, South Korea, and the UAE, and corporate practices that externalize environmental risks. Greek shipping magnate Vangelis Marinakis was cited as the “Worst Corporate Dumper” for allegedly selling hazardous vessels to Bangladesh.

💡The platform urges stronger enforcement of international conventions, elimination of the beaching method, and tighter regulatory oversight to ensure safe and environmentally responsible ship recycling.

Thailand

The Royal Thai Navy rescued all 16 Bangladeshi crewmembers from the 6,500 dwt containership Sealloyd Arc after it began listing off southern Thailand on February 7. Eight were recovered by a local fishing boat and eight by a Phuket patrol boat, all uninjured.

💡The 115-meter vessel, built in 2005 in China and acquired by Singapore-based Sea Lloyd Shipping Lines in September 2025, sank about three miles offshore while carrying 229 containers, including 14 with hazardous materials. An oil spill of roughly 4.5 miles by one mile has been reported. Authorities are containing the slick, retrieving floating containers, and planning a salvage operation.

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Space

Space activity in the region emphasizes launch capability, orbital infrastructure, and experimental technologies. Australia, China, and Japan are advancing reusable rockets, satellite operations, and space-based energy or observation projects, supporting both research and industry development.

Australia

Gilmour Space Technologies has set up operations at South Australia’s Lot Fourteen Defence and Space Landing Pad to strengthen industry ties and access the state’s growing space ecosystem. The Queensland-based company, which develops Australian-made launch vehicles and satellite platforms, will leverage the Landing Pad’s facilities, government support, and networks to collaborate with the Australian Space Agency, local research institutions, and industry partners.

💡The Landing Pad has supported more than 20 national and international defence and space companies since 2018, including Kongsberg, Egis, and L3 Harris.

China

Chinese launch company iSpace has raised a record 5.037 billion yuan ($729 million) in a D++ funding round to accelerate its reusable rocket program. The round, the largest disclosed for a Chinese launch startup, was led by Tongchuang Weiye and Jingming Capital and included government industrial funds, state-linked investors, and repeat private equity backers.

The capital will fund development and commercialization of iSpace’s methane-liquid oxygen launch vehicles, expand assembly and testing capacity, and support the company’s “land-based launch, sea-based recovery” approach across multiple industrial hubs in China.

💡iSpace is preparing its Hyperbola-3 rocket for eventual first-stage recovery, following recent fit checks and cryogenic testing of the second stage. The 69-meter vehicle is designed to carry up to 8,500 kg to low Earth orbit in reusable mode. The company also operates Interstellar Return, China’s first rocket recovery ship.

China

China is moving to develop large-scale space-based data centers over the next five years, aiming to bolster advanced AI capabilities, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation announced. The plan calls for gigawatt-class infrastructure in orbit, combining cloud, edge, and terminal technologies to enable integrated computing, storage, and communications beyond Earth. The initiative aligns with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which emphasizes AI as a strategic national priority.

💡Early steps toward this vision include Zhejiang Lab’s 2025 launch of 12 low Earth orbit satellites for its ‘Three-Body Computing Constellation,’ a program ultimately targeting 2,800 satellites with 1,000 peta operations per second of computing power.

Japan

Japan plans to test space-based solar power with its OHISAMA demonstration satellite, set to launch in fiscal 2026 aboard Space One’s Kairos 5 rocket. The 180-kg satellite will beam solar-generated electricity from a 450-kilometer orbit to a 64-meter ground antenna at JAXA’s Usuda Deep Space Center, evaluating the conversion of microwaves into usable power and key technologies such as retrodirective beam control and integrated generation-and-transmission panels.

💡The mission builds on decades of Japanese research in space solar power. While the prototype generates 720 watts, the test could inform future scaling to larger orbital arrays capable of supplying significant electricity, with potential applications in disaster response, global energy distribution, and support for lunar exploration.

Japan

Tokyo-based startup ALE has launched its third satellite to develop artificial meteor showers, targeting a demonstration in fiscal 2028. The 100-kg satellite, orbiting around 400 kilometers above Earth, will release one-centimeter metal pellets as “seeds” for the meteors. ALE said improvements to the pellet-release mechanism address failures from two earlier launches in 2019. The event’s timing and viewing locations will be announced later this year.

💡The artificial meteors are expected to move more slowly than natural ones, allowing observation of light emissions to collect data on atmospheric composition and wind speeds at 60–80 km altitudes. ALE sees the project as both an entertainment venture and a scientific platform, with potential commercialization of artificial meteor displays in Japan and internationally by 2029–2030.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: China Extends Cryptocurrency and RWA Tokenisation Crackdown; ADB Loans $30 Million to Expand Philippine MSME Credit; KKR and Singtel Take Full Control of STT GDC; Revolut Expands Singapore Hub for Regional Growth; LG Energy Solution Acquires NextStar Energy in Canada; South Korea and Indonesia Launch Cross-Border QR Payments; and Tala Partners with CIMB for Vietnam Digital Credit

Environmental Sustainability: Australia Advances Large-Scale Green Hydrogen Hub; India Signs MoU for Green Urea Production; InSolare to Build Electrolyser Manufacturing with U.S. Partner; New Zealand Breaks Ground on Sustainable Hydrogen Facility; Fullerton Invests in Thai Tire Recycler Pyro Energie; and South Korea Launches Hydrogen Transport Subsidy and Smart City Project

Aviation: Qantas Warned of Rising Impersonation Scams; Sydney Airport Appoints Consultants for Domestic Terminal Integration; GE Aerospace Invests $300 Million in Singapore Engine Repair; WingsOverAsia Breaks Ground on New Jet Hangar; and Nandina REM Launches Carbon Fiber and Recycled Fabrics Facility

Advanced Air Mobility: Australia Funds Urban Air Taxi Vertipad Prototype; Eve Air Mobility Targets Japan with First eVTOL Orders; AutoFlight Unveils World’s Largest eVTOL Aircraft; India Signs Deal for Hybrid-Electric Seaplanes; SkyDrive Conducts Urban eVTOL Demo in Tokyo; ST Engineering Launches DrN-600 Cargo Drone; and Vertical Aerospace Expands Electric Air Taxi Network in Japan

Marine: China Retains Title as World’s Largest Shipbuilder; China Trials First 10,000-Ton Electric Containership; India Launches National Container Shipping Line; Indonesia Centralizes Shipbuilding Under PT PAL; and Singapore and Japan Partner on Roro Terminal

Space: China’s Butterfly Emerges in Orbit; JAXA’s Epsilon S Rocket Launch Delayed; Philippines Trains Engineers on Rocket Development; Singapore Launches National Space Agency; and NTU Advances AI-Enabled Satellites

Financing & Investments

Asia-Pacific fintech and digital infrastructure are expanding rapidly, with China tightening crypto regulations, Singapore and South Korea seeing major fintech and data center investments, and cross-border initiatives in payments, digital credit, and AI-driven financial services emerging across the region.

China

China has tightened its cryptocurrency regulations, extending its crackdown to the tokenisation of real-world assets (RWA). A notice issued by eight government agencies led by the People’s Bank of China bans onshore RWA tokenisation and related intermediary or technology services for securities issuance, financial operations, or fundraising, unless specifically approved. Chinese entities are also barred from conducting RWA tokenisation or quasi-asset securitisation overseas without authorization, under the principle of “same business, same risk, same rules.”

The rules require offshore subsidiaries of Chinese financial institutions and service providers to strengthen compliance, risk management, client suitability, and anti-money laundering measures. Domestic and controlled offshore entities cannot issue virtual currencies abroad, and no entity may issue yuan-pegged offshore stablecoins without approval.

💡The revised guidance updates 2021 rules to address new challenges, introducing end-to-end supervision, cross-agency risk monitoring, tighter platform oversight, and restrictions on business names referencing cryptocurrency, stablecoins, or RWA.


Philippines

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 1.75 billion peso (US$30 million) loan to Fuse Financing, GCash’s lending arm, to expand credit access for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and women entrepreneurs in the Philippines. The partnership, launched at the SMX Convention Center in Taguig City, is the first of its kind in ASEAN, targeting improved financial inclusion for underserved sectors.

💡The loan is supported by the Mastercard Impact Fund and includes up to US$125,000 in technical assistance from ADB for product development and digital literacy.


Singapore

KKR and Singapore’s Singtel said they will acquire full control of data center operator ST Telemedia Global Data Centers (STT GDC) in a deal valuing the business at S$6.6 billion ($5.1 billion) for equity and an implied enterprise value of about S$13.8 billion ($10.9 billion).

Under definitive agreements, funds managed by KKR and Singtel will buy the remaining 82% stake from founding shareholder ST Telemedia. After completion, KKR will hold 75% and Singtel 25%, following the conversion of existing preference shares.

💡Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Singapore, STT GDC operates a global data center platform with about 2.3GW of design capacity across 12 markets in Asia Pacific, the UK and Europe. The company’s development pipeline has expanded from 1.4GW to more than 1.7GW as demand from cloud and artificial intelligence workloads accelerates. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory and customary approvals.

Singapore

Revolut is expanding its Singapore operations to drive product innovation and regional growth across Asia, with support from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and its investment arm EDBI. Valued at $75 billion, Revolut plans to scale teams in product development, engineering, data, and artificial intelligence. The company has also launched Rev-celerator internship and graduate programs, giving participants opportunities to work in offices in Poland, the UK, UAE, and Spain, while fostering talent development and knowledge transfer locally.

💡Singapore will serve as Revolut’s regional hub, building on its recently launched Global Tech Hub in Manila and plans to enter additional Asian markets. The company aims to advance fintech solutions, strengthen operations, and scale its regional presence,


South Korea-Canada

LG Energy Solution will acquire full ownership of NextStar Energy, buying Stellantis’ 49% stake in the Canadian battery manufacturer. Established as a joint venture in 2022 to build Canada’s first large-scale battery facility in Windsor, Ontario, NextStar Energy has received over CAD 5 billion in investment and employs more than 1,300 staff, with plans to expand to 2,500. Stellantis will remain a customer, sourcing batteries from the facility.

💡LG Energy Solution will operate four stand-alone and four joint-venture facilities in North America, aiming to expand ESS production capacity to over 60 GWh in 2026, with more than 50 GWh in North America, supporting growth across EVs, energy storage, robotics, and other sectors.


South Korea-Indonesia

South Korea and Indonesia plan to launch a cross-border QR payment service allowing users to pay at merchants in both countries using their domestic QR systems. Bank Indonesia said the project, developed with the Bank of Korea, follows cooperation that began in 2023 and a memorandum of understanding signed in 2024. The linkage is designed to integrate with the existing local currency transaction framework between the two countries to simplify retail payments for travelers and businesses.

💡The system is expected to reduce foreign-exchange and transaction costs and support trade, tourism, and consumer spending between the two economies. The service is targeted to go live at participating merchants in both markets in April 2026.


Vietnam-Malaysia

Tala said it has entered a $100 million partnership with Malaysia-based CIMB to support its launch in Vietnam, introducing a digital credit line for consumers. Eligible customers can access limits of up to VND 30 million ($1,155) with drawdowns of up to 61 days and flexible repayment schedules, including fee-free early repayment. Applications and approvals are handled through Tala’s app, combining CIMB’s banking infrastructure with Tala’s technology platform.

💡Vietnam remains underpenetrated in consumer credit despite broad digital account access, and the partnership targets that gap using AI-based credit scoring and rapid disbursement.

Environmental Sustainability

Countries across the Asia-Pacific are ramping up green hydrogen, ammonia, and recycling initiatives, with major projects in Australia, India, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and South Korea. Investments and partnerships focus on large-scale renewable energy, sustainable transport, circular economy solutions, and decarbonization technologies to accelerate regional sustainability and emissions reductions.

Australia

The Australian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH), owned by InterContinental Energy, has secured a $21 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to advance large-scale green hydrogen production in the Pilbara. The funding will support technical, economic, and regulatory studies, focusing on hydrogen production at Boodarie near Port Hedland, integration with industrial partners, and environmental, water, and cultural heritage considerations.

💡At full scale, AREH could produce up to 1.6 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually to support green iron and green ammonia production, making it one of the world’s largest hydrogen projects.

India

NTPC Green Energy Limited, a subsidiary of NTPC Limited, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Assago Industries Private Limited for the supply of green ammonia, carbon dioxide, renewable energy, and related utilities to produce 1,000 tonnes per day of green urea.

💡The proposed urea plant will be established at NGEL’s Green Hydrogen Hub in Pudimadaka, near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

India-USA

Indian solar firm InSolare Energy plans to establish 250–300MW of anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyser manufacturing capacity in India under a licensing deal with US-based membrane maker Versogen, with potential to scale up to 1GW. InSolare will license Versogen’s stack IP and technology while developing its own materials and design capabilities domestically, and Versogen will provide membranes and technical expertise.

💡The partnership aims to support India’s green hydrogen market and national hydrogen targets, with InSolare receiving government subsidies for 10MW of annual electrolyser production, 19,000 tonnes of green hydrogen, and 85,000 tonnes of green ammonia. AEM technology, which avoids precious metals, offers scalable and efficient hydrogen production, thou


New Zealand

Construction has begun on a sustainable green hydrogen facility in South Taranaki, supported by a $19.9 million government investment, with total project costs reaching up to $112.3 million through additional partner funding. The project, delayed for over five years under the previous Resource Management Act consent process, will supply renewable electricity to Ballance Agri-Nutrients’ Kapuni facility and produce green hydrogen for emissions-free transport at Hiringa Energy’s refuelling operations.

💡The initiative, a partnership between the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Hiringa Energy, Parininihi ki Waitōtara, and Todd, will integrate wind energy, industrial renewable electricity, and zero-carbon hydrogen production at scale


Singapore-Thailand

Singapore-based Fullerton Fund Management said its Fullerton Carbon Action Fund has completed an investment in Pyro Energie, a Thai recycler of end-of-life tires, marking the fund’s second deployment and first in Southeast Asia. The deal supports Fullerton’s strategy of backing established businesses with scalable decarbonization impact across Southeast Asia and India. Proceeds will fund Pyro Energie’s expansion into higher-value, premium-grade products through a new production facility to improve quality, broaden applications, and strengthen earnings visibility.

💡Founded in 2016, Pyro Energie operates commercial pyrolysis plants that convert waste tires into pyrolysis oil, recovered carbon black, and wire scrap, and is a market leader in Thailand’s tire-recycling sector. The company has annual capacity exceeding 40 million liters of oil and more than 30 million tons of recovered carbon black, with demand driven by tire makers, chemical companies, and policymakers accelerating adoption of circular-economy solutions and recycled feedstocks.

South Korea

South Korea has launched a 2.453 billion won ($1.59 million) subsidy program to support the purchase of hydrogen transportation equipment, aiming to expand hydrogen distribution for transport and stabilize prices. Funded 50% by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the program covers up to half the cost of gaseous hydrogen tube trailers (max 112 million won) and liquefied hydrogen tank lorries (max 550 million won).

💡In a related initiative, Chungcheongbuk-do Province and Cheongju City announced a 40 billion won ($25.8 million) Hydrogen City Development Project to transform Cheongju into an eco-friendly smart city. The project will build biogas-based hydrogen production facilities, additional charging stations, tube trailers, and hydrogen fuel cells for public buildings, managed through an AI-based integrated operation center. Hyundai Motor Group will collaborate on the initiative.

Aviation

Airline and aviation infrastructure developments in Australia and Singapore span fraud prevention, terminal upgrades, advanced engine repair, FBO expansion, and sustainable materials production. The initiatives highlight investments in passenger experience, regional aviation capacity, high-tech maintenance, and eco-friendly aerospace manufacturing.

Australia

The ACCC’s Scamwatch is warning of a rise in scams impersonating Qantas, with fraudsters using emails and texts to steal money and personal information. Scammers are using Qantas logos and branding to make messages appear legitimate, urging recipients to click links to claim refunds, gifts, or points, which lead to fake websites designed to harvest data.

💡Qantas has confirmed the scams follow a July 2025 data breach affecting around 5.7 million customers, exposing names, emails, and Frequent Flyer numbers. The airline and authorities are taking action, including a NSW Supreme Court injunction to prevent misuse of stolen data.

Australia

Sydney Airport has appointed Grimshaw and Mott MacDonald as lead consultants for its domestic terminal integration project. The program will join the T2 and T3 domestic terminals into a single precinct and add gates capable of handling some international flights. The initial phase will focus on early design plans, site surveys, and risk assessments.

💡The project is a central part of the airport’s $6 billion capital program and 2045 Master Plan, which aims to accommodate 72 million passengers annually. Up to 12 new swing gates will be added to support both domestic and international operations, enhancing passenger experience, airline efficiency, and long-term infrastructure consistency.

Singapore

GE Aerospace is investing up to $300 million to expand its engine repair capabilities in Singapore, with support from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). The multi-year project, running through 2029, will accelerate turnaround times for engines including CFM Leap-1A/1B turbofans used on narrowbody airliners.

💡The investment will introduce advanced automation, digitization, and AI-enabled inspection technologies. Planned upgrades include high-pressure turbine module repair for Leap-1A/1B engines, an expanded engine component portfolio, REACH-compliant coatings, and an AI center of excellence for maintenance and on-wing support services. GE and the EDB also signed an MoU to further develop advanced repair capabilities in Singapore.

Singapore

WingsOverAsia, a full-service FBO at Singapore’s Seletar Aerospace Park, has broken ground on a new jet hangar to expand its business jet services, including maintenance and management, in partnership with equity investor MJets. The hangar will be integrated into MJets’ regional FBO network, which spans India, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand, enabling support for larger and more advanced aircraft.

💡The project is expected to create more than 50 new jobs and strengthen WingsOverAsia’s role in regional general aviation. MJets CEO Natthapatr Sibunruang said the expansion will deliver operational reliability and scalable capability, while Christine Wong, assistant CEO of JTC, highlighted the facility’s contribution to supporting business and private aviation growth in the Asia-Pacific.

Singapore

Materials specialist Nandina REM has begun production at its new carbon fiber facility in Singapore and launched its Salis operation for industrial and commercial fabrics made from recycled textiles. The Tai Seng Exchange facility can produce up to five tonnes of aerospace- and defense-grade carbon fiber per month, supporting drone production from 120 to 8,000 units depending on size.

💡Nandina’s rapid production process reduces energy use by about 71% and avoids high-heat reclamation methods that can compromise fiber integrity. The Salis process creates fabrics from recycled aircraft interior materials that meet Global Recycling Standard and Oeko-Tex requirements. Nandina’s customers include Qantas, Emirates, Southwest, and Japan’s Sumitomo.

Advanced Air Mobility

Global eVTOL and hybrid-electric aircraft development is accelerating, with projects spanning Australia, China, India, Japan, Singapore, and the U.S., from urban air taxi vertipads and demonstration flights to long-range cargo and regional transport aircraft. Partnerships and commercial agreements highlight a push toward sustainable, zero-emission mobility and infrastructure for both passenger and cargo operations.

Australia

The Australian Government has awarded $250,000 to Skyportz Australia to develop its Aeroberm vertipad, a modular landing platform for electric air taxis in urban and regional areas. The project, supported under the Industry Growth Program, aims to create a prototype addressing key infrastructure challenges, including downwash and outwash management, noise mitigation, and fire suppression.

💡Skyportz will match the funds to create a $500,000 R&D pool to engage researchers, patent specialists, and industrial designers. The Aeroberm platform can be installed on rooftops, carparks, or custom structures and features integrated air management channels, acoustic dampening, and built-in fire suppression.

Brazil-Japan

Eve Air Mobility has signed a contract with AirX, Japan’s largest public helicopter charter service, for an initial purchase of two eVTOL aircraft, with an option to expand the order to 50 units. The agreement marks Eve’s first commercial entry into the Asia-Pacific region and aims to advance sustainable urban air mobility in Japan, with deliveries scheduled for 2029.

💡Under the deal, AirX will integrate Eve’s eVTOLs into its operations to offer zero-emission urban and regional transport, including tourist routes and last-mile services in cities like Tokyo and Osaka.


China

AutoFlight has unveiled the Matrix, a five-tonne eVTOL aircraft it claims is the “world’s first” of its size. Designed for long-range operations, Matrix can carry up to 10 passengers or 1,500 kg of cargo. The aircraft features a 20-metre wingspan, 17.1-metre length, and 5.25-metre cabin, and will be offered in passenger and cargo variants. The fully electric version has a 250 km range, while a hybrid-electric variant extends this to 1,500 km.

💡AutoFlight positions Matrix for regional transport, heavy logistics, and large-scale emergency response. The launch builds on the company’s portfolio of certified eVTOLs, including the two-tonne CarryAll, the first electric aircraft over one tonne to receive full civil airworthiness certification.

India-USA

Indian seaplane operator Maritime Energy Heli Air Services (Mehair) has signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S.-based Tidal Flight to operate the start-up’s hybrid-electric Polaris aircraft. The deal covers five firm orders and five options for the 9- to 12-passenger aircraft, with deliveries expected from 2030 at a list price of around $6 million. The Polaris is designed to fly up to 1,000 nm, and Tidal Flight has already secured 12 purchase agreements potentially covering 150 aircraft.

💡Mehair plans to use the Polaris to expand regional air services to remote coastal, inland waterway, and island communities in India under the government’s UDAN program, where it has been awarded 92 seaplane routes. The operator already flies Cessna Caravan 208 floatplanes and has previous agreements for hydrogen-electric and amphibious aircraft.


Japan

Japan-based eVTOL developer SkyDrive Inc. will conduct demonstration flights of its Model SD-05 in Tokyo from February 24–28, marking the company’s first urban demo in the city and a step toward commercial operations planned for 2028. The flights, organized with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Mitsubishi Estate, and Kanematsu Corporation, will operate from a temporary site at Tokyo Big Sight’s East Wing, following a circular route on-site or over adjacent waters.

💡The SD-05 will be flown remotely using automated control and remote pilot technology, highlighting advanced operational capabilities for urban air mobility. The demonstrations support Tokyo’s “eVTOL Implementation Project,” aiming to establish commercial urban air mobility by 2030, and involve collaboration with Skyports to validate vertiport operations, airspace monitoring, and passenger processing systems.

Singapore-USA

ST Engineering and U.S.-based AIR Inc. have unveiled the DrN-600, the company’s largest cargo drone, at the Singapore Airshow. The drone targets last-mile deliveries to remote or underserved areas and can carry up to 100 kg of payload in a front-loading compartment compatible with standardized pallets. It has an eight-meter wingspan, a maximum take-off weight of 600 kg, and a range of 70–100 km per flight, powered by lithium polymer batteries. The DrN-600 uses a vertical take-off and landing configuration with multiple rotors for lift, combined with a narrow wing and twin vertical tails for efficient forward flight.

💡ST Engineering and United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Lodd Autonomous have signed agreements under which the DrN-600 will be trialed in the Middle East, while Lodd’s hybrid-electric Hili cargo aircraft will be marketed in Asia-Pacific.

UK-Japan

Vertical Aerospace is accelerating its commercial electric air taxi plans in Japan through a partnership with Marubeni Corporation. The companies are developing an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) network, with a flagship Kansai corridor expected to cut travel times by up to 80% versus ground transport. Piloted demonstration flights in the Osaka Bay area are scheduled for 2026.

Marubeni has secured pre-delivery slots for 25 of 200 aircraft, while Vertical advances regulatory validation with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and prepares infrastructure and support networks.

💡Valo, Vertical’s certification aircraft, is designed for 160 km flights at speeds of up to 240 km/h with zero emissions.A hybrid-electric variant is also in development to extend range and operational flexibility.

Marine

China leads global shipbuilding with record output and trials its first 10,000-ton electric containership, while India and Indonesia boost domestic maritime capabilities through a national container line and centralized shipbuilding. Singapore and Japan partner on a new roro terminal, reflecting regional efforts to modernize shipping and logistics.

China

China retained its position as the world’s largest shipbuilder in 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Shipbuilding output reached 53.69 million DWT, up 11.4% from 2024, accounting for 56.1% of global production.

💡Chinese yards also led in new-build orders, signing contracts totaling 107.82 million DWT, or 69% of the global market, and held the largest backlog with 274.42 million DWT, a 31.5% year-on-year increase, representing 66.8% of worldwide outstanding orders.

China

China’s first 10,000-ton electric containership, Ning Yuan Dian Kun, has begun sea trials off Shanghai, marking a milestone in short-sea shipping. Built by Jiangxi Jiangxin Shipbuilding, the 128-meter vessel has a 740 TEU capacity and a maximum speed of 11.5 knots. Sea trials, running from February 6 to 13, will test battery power, propulsion performance, and autonomous navigation systems.

💡The ship is powered by ten containerized batteries generating up to 19,000 kWh, driving two 875 kW permanent magnet motors. Batteries can be recharged via high-voltage shore connections or swapped for fully charged units. Photovoltaic cells provide supplemental energy. Its autonomous navigation system supports sailing, route planning, and collision avoidance.

India

India is set to launch its national container shipping line after signing a memorandum of understanding to establish Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL), a state-backed venture aimed at creating a self-reliant container ecosystem and boosting the country’s maritime trade presence.

The MoU unites six stakeholders—Container Corporation of India (30%), Shipping Corporation of India (30%), Sagarmala Finance Corporation (20%), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (10%), V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (5%), and Chennai Port Authority (5%)—with an initial investment of $1.66 billion. BCSL will acquire and operate container vessels and related assets, providing end-to-end logistics integrating port and multimodal transport.

💡The initiative aligns with India’s $1.2 billion Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS), targeting annual domestic container production of 1 million TEU within the next decade.

Indonesia

Indonesia is centralizing its state-owned shipbuilding sector under PT PAL Indonesia, which will now oversee all government-owned shipyards. State-run shipping companies, including Pertamina International Shipping, Pelni, and ASDP, will be required to order new vessels through the national champion. The move is aimed at improving efficiency, consolidating procurement and engineering, supporting fleet renewal, and boosting domestic shipbuilding capabilities.

💡The country’s shipbuilding industry remains small on a global scale, with dozens of small- and medium-sized yards producing ferries, coastal vessels, bulkers, and tankers, while PT PAL handles naval and complex commercial projects. Annual output is modest compared with global leaders like China, South Korea, and Japan.

Singapore-Japan

PSA Singapore and Japanese shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) will form a joint venture to operate a dedicated roro terminal in Singapore, pending regulatory approval. The terminal, expected to start in the first half of the year, will support MOL’s car carrier operations and enhance PSA’s role in vehicle logistics.

💡The partners also plan to collaborate on operational optimisation, digitalisation, and sustainability, aiming to improve service reliability and secure long-term terminal capacity as vehicle volumes grow.

Space

China successfully raised a butterfly in orbit, providing key insights into sustaining life in microgravity, while Japan delays its Epsilon S rocket launch after engine test failures. The Philippines is building domestic rocket expertise through training with South Korea, and Singapore is rapidly expanding its space sector with a new national agency and advanced AI-enabled satellite projects.

China

Researchers in China have announced the successful emergence of a butterfly from its chrysalis in Earth orbit. The insect developed inside a miniature, sealed ecosystem launched aboard a carrier rocket, marking a key step in studying biological adaptation to microgravity.

The self-sustaining payload, designed by Chongqing University, sustained stable conditions for the metamorphosis. Chief designer Xie Gengxin stated the experiment provides critical data on operating complex, closed-loop life support systems, offering insights for future long-duration space missions.

Japan

Japan’s space agency, JAXA, plans to launch its upgraded Epsilon S rocket in fiscal 2026, starting in April, using an existing second-stage engine. The launch was delayed from fiscal 2024 following explosions during ground tests of the upgraded second-stage engines in 2023 and 2024.

JAXA is investigating the incidents with replica experiments using a one-fifth scale model of the Epsilon S. The rocket, an enhanced three-stage solid-fuel Epsilon, is intended to carry small satellites into orbit.

Philippine-South Korea

The Philippine Space Agency has completed the initial phase of a launch vehicle training program with South Korea’s Perigee Aerospace. Engineers received foundational instruction in rocket theory and practical, hands-on experience assembling subsystems using Perigee’s Blue Whale 0.1 sounding rocket platform.

The program aims to build indigenous technical capacity for future local launch operations. This initiative represents a strategic step in the Philippines’ plan to transition from a user of space services to an active participant in launch vehicle development and the regional space sector.

Singapore

Singapore will establish a National Space Agency of Singapore (NSAS) to build national space capabilities and position the country in the fast-growing space economy. The agency will operate a centralized center for satellite tasking and geospatial analytics to support applications such as port management, urban planning, environmental monitoring and food security. Singapore also plans to expand its satellite constellation and develop space situational awareness systems to protect assets in a more crowded orbital environment.

💡NSAS will sit under the Ministry of Trade and Industry and absorb the Office for Space Technology & Industry. Singapore has committed more than S$200 million to space research and development, spanning areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, climate technology and microgravity research. Around 70 space companies and 2,000 professionals operate locally, and the agency will focus on partnerships and commercialization to scale the sector as the global space economy expands.

Singapore

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore is launching three new space projects under Singapore’s Space Technology Development Programme to speed up commercialization of locally developed space technologies. A core project features a nanosatellite equipped with edge-computing artificial intelligence to process images directly in orbit, reducing data transmission needs and enabling faster decisions. Built with Satoro Space, the 3U satellite will also test lightweight perovskite solar cells developed by NTU researchers and a local startup.

💡A second project will deploy a 16U maneuverable nanosatellite using an electric propulsion system from NTU spin-off Aliena, along with a payload to study material durability in very low Earth orbit. The third will test a Singapore-built electro-optical imaging payload on the International Space Station for high-resolution Earth observation.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

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Announcement - APAC AAM Leaders Summit

I’m pleased to announce my sponsorship of the APAC AAM Leadership Summit on 2 February at the Singapore Institute of Technology, Punggol Campus.

This exclusive, by-invitation summit, hosted by Singapore’s NexAvian, brings together leaders from aviation, technology, academia, and government to explore the practical rollout of AAM across the Asia-Pacific region.

Discussions will focus on regulatory frameworks, infrastructure development, operational strategies, and lessons from regional markets.

The summit precedes the Singapore Airshow (3–8 February) and offers a unique platform to connect with experts, exchange ideas, and contribute to building a sustainable and efficient AAM ecosystem in Asia.

I am proud to support this important initiative through my companies, Beyond Horizons by Bethel Chambers LLC and LEX.LEXHY.

Looking forward to an inspiring day of dialogue, innovation, and partnership!

Summary

Financing & Investments: Germany’s Congatec Expands R&D Footprint in Malaysia; ACME Group to Build Odisha’s First Green Methanol Plant; Antler Japan Backs Ten Pre-Seed Startups with $1.55M Investment; OpenSys Launches Horizon Series Self-Service Banking Platform; Decube Raises $3M to Scale AI Data Solutions in APAC; STT GDC Unveils Southeast Asia’s First HVDC AI Testbed; HeyMax Secures $11M Series A to Expand Loyalty Platform Across Asia; Digital Edge Commits $4.5B to Build Indonesia’s CGK AI Data Center; and Micron Technology to Invest $24B in Singapore Wafer Fab Expansion

Environmental Sustainability: UK-China Launch Renewable Energy Trading JV; Sinopec Demonstrates Long-Distance Hydrogen Logistics; China-India Nearshore Wind Turbines to Power Vietnam; India Rolls Out Lithium Battery Recycling Subsidiary; and FedEx Expands Electric Delivery Fleet in Japan

Aviation: China Proposes Rules for Airline Seat Allocation; Global Air Passenger Traffic Forecast to Hit 10.2 Billion in 2026; Hong Kong-France JV Targets Aircraft Dismantling and Parts Trading; India’s Turboprop Market Set for Major Regional Expansion; Singapore Extends Aircraft Nacelle MRO Partnership; and Boeing Projects Rapid Fleet Growth in South Asia

Advanced Air Mobility: China, Spain Partner on Pilotless eVTOL Mobility; China’s TCab Tech Prepares Five-Seater eVTOL for APAC Deployment; Delhi Could See 40M Air Taxi Trips Annually by 2045; and US Firm Pushes India to Designate Safety-Critical Spectrum for AAM

Marine: Australia’s Strategic Fleet Program Faces Delays; Japan Forms JV to Boost Domestic Shipbuilding; Shadow Tanker Network Exposed Supplying Myanmar Air Force; Singapore Firm Invests in Charter-Backed Multipurpose Vessels; and PSA and MOL Create Dedicated Roro Terminal in Singapore

Space: China’s CASC Expands Into Commercial Space Sectors; China Launches AlSat-3B Remote Sensing Satellite; Indonesia’s Nusantara Lima Satellite Reaches Geostationary Orbit; South Korea Deploys NEONSAT‑1A for Earth Observation; and US-Australia Varda Space Completes W-5 Capsule Reentry

Financing & Investments

The region continues to attract investment in advanced technology, green energy, and AI-driven infrastructure. Trends include local expansion of R&D and engineering, development of sustainable energy and industrial solutions, and scaling of next-generation digital and data center platforms to meet growing demand for AI, cloud, and high-performance computing.

Germany-Malaysia

Germany-based congatec has opened a new subsidiary in Penang, Malaysia, expanding its engineering and R&D presence in Asia. The move supports the company’s “local for local” strategy, establishing regional capabilities in embedded computing design, technical support, and customization. The initial team of 23 engineers, recruited from Kontron Asia, will grow to around 70, strengthening the firm’s ability to deliver application-ready solutions and faster development cycles for customers across the APAC region.

💡The Penang subsidiary will focus on embedded computing platforms, including x86-based systems and Computer-on-Modules using Qualcomm, NXP, and Texas Instruments technologies, alongside enhanced aReady. software stacks.


India

Indian conglomerate ACME Group plans to establish a 200-tonne green methanol production plant in Kendrapada district, Odisha, through its subsidiary ACME Akaysha Energy. The facility will be the state’s first large-scale green methanol plant and is expected to generate over 1,100 jobs, supporting India’s push to become a global hub for green hydrogen and its derivatives.

💡The project forms part of ACME’s broader strategy to develop multiple green hydrogen and ammonia plants near Paradip and Gopalpur, with production aimed at both domestic use and export. ACME highlighted Odisha’s strong green energy ecosystem and industrial infrastructure as key factors in its selection of the site.

Japan

Antler Japan, the Japanese arm of Singapore-based venture firm Antler, invested ¥240 million ($1.55 million) across ten pre-seed startups in 2025, backing founders deliberately building for global markets. Each company received ¥24 million via Antler’s Inception Residency, which supports early validation, strategy, and investor readiness. Startups span AI, robotics, logistics, compliance, and applied science, including Refined Robotics, Avete, and Rubi Labs.

💡For 2026, Antler Japan launches a streamlined six-week Inception Residency with $150,000 initial investment and up to $250,000 follow-on funding. The program prioritizes speed, international collaboration, and early market traction. The next cohort begins May 11, with an Investor Demo Day on February 13 to connect founders with regional investors.

Malaysia

Malaysia-based OpenSys (M) Berhad has launched the Horizon Series, a next-generation self-service banking platform developed with OKI Electric through its subsidiary OpenSys Technologies. The locally assembled system features cash recycling, allowing deposited cash to be reused for withdrawals, reducing idle holdings, replenishment frequency, and operational costs while consolidating multiple self-service functions into a single device for more efficient branch operations.

💡Horizon Series is modular and upgradeable, supporting cheque deposits, instant card issuance, digital services, and biometric authentication, with AI-enabled and remote assistance capabilities. Security and regulatory compliance are built into both hardware and software. The platform will be commercially available from January 2026.

Malaysia

Malaysia-based Decube has raised $3 million in a round led by Taiwania Hive Ventures, with participation from Iterative and 500 Global. The funding will support the company’s global growth, product innovation, and rapid expansion across the Asia-Pacific region as enterprises increasingly seek trusted data for AI at scale.

💡Decube provides a context layer between raw data systems and AI applications, enabling enterprises to track data lineage, ownership, and quality while ensuring production-ready, explainable inputs. Already deployed across banks, telcos, and regulated corporates, the platform helps organizations operationalize AI responsibly and move from experimentation to scalable, enterprise-grade solutions.

Singapore

ST Telemedia Global Data Centers (STT GDC) has launched the FutureGrid Accelerator, Southeast Asia’s first live High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) AI infrastructure testbed, in collaboration with LITEON, NTU’s Energy Research Institute, and NTU spinoff Amperesand.

Located at NTU Singapore’s Electrification and Power Grids Center on Jurong Island, the initiative integrates HVDC with real AI workloads, enabling ultra-high-density computing while improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting renewable power integration. The testbed validates power loads of at least 325kW and combines LITEON’s reference architecture with Amperesand’s Solid State Transformer technology.

💡The FutureGrid Accelerator aims to advance sustainable, next-generation AI data centers while building regional expertise in digital and energy infrastructure. STT GDC plans to scale HVDC adoption across future operations, enhancing resilience, reliability, and operational efficiency. The project also provides training opportunities for emerging talent and strengthens collaboration between industry, academia, and deep-tech startups.

Singapore

Singapore-based loyalty and travel rewards platform HeyMax has raised $11 million in a Series A round led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from strategic investor Betatron Venture Group and continued support from existing backers January Capital and Tenity. Additional investors include Agoda co-founder Rob Rosenstein and former Visa APAC President David Lee. The funding will accelerate HeyMax’s AI-powered platform, enhancing seamless earning and redemption of rewards while supporting expansion into Japan, Taiwan, and Australia by the end of 2026.

💡Founded in 2023, HeyMax unifies travel and loyalty rewards across airlines, hotels, and financial products through its Max Miles currency. The platform addresses fragmented loyalty programs in Asia-Pacific, helping consumers capture cross-border value and enabling merchants to drive engagement. Since its $2.7 million seed round in 2024, HeyMax has grown to over 150,000 users, issued more than 500 million Max Miles annually.

Singapore-Indonesia

Singapore-based Digital Edge is investing $4.5 billion to build CGK Campus, one of Indonesia’s largest AI-ready hyperscale data center campuses, in Bekasi’s GIIC Industrial Estate. The 500MW facility, scalable up to 1GW, is engineered for next-generation AI workloads with sustainability features including liquid cooling, recycled water, and renewable energy integration, targeting a market-leading PUE of 1.25.

💡CGK Campus will be carrier-neutral and connected via Digital Edge’s Indonet fiber network, offering low-latency access to Jakarta’s business districts. Built in phases starting Q4 2026, the campus aims to support Indonesia’s expanding digital economy and serve as a central hub for hyperscale, AI, and cloud deployments across the region.

USA-Singapore

US semiconductor firm Micron Technology will invest $24 billion over ten years to build an advanced wafer fabrication facility in Singapore, adding 700,000 square feet of cleanroom space within its existing NAND complex. Production is expected to start in the second half of 2028, supporting growing demand for AI and data-driven applications, while creating 1,600 jobs in fab engineering, operations, and smart manufacturing.

💡Alongside its HBM packaging facility, the expansion will bring Micron’s total Singapore workforce growth to about 3,000. The site will follow sustainability standards, including LEED compliance, and collaborate with academia to upskill talent and accelerate AI-enabled semiconductor innovation.

Environmental Sustainability

The region is rapidly advancing clean energy and circular economy initiatives, with trends in cross-border renewable trading, scalable hydrogen logistics, large-scale wind projects, battery recycling, and electrification of transport. Investment focus is shifting toward integrated sustainability solutions that combine technology, infrastructure, and industrial ecosystems to reduce emissions and close energy and material loops.

Britian-China

British energy company Octopus Energy Group has partnered with China’s PCG Power to form a joint venture, Bitong Energy, aimed at trading renewable electricity in China’s growing spot markets. The JV, launched during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to China, will initially operate in Guangdong before expanding nationwide, targeting up to 140 TWh of renewable electricity annually by 2030.

Bitong Energy combines Octopus Energy’s trading technology and optimisation software with PCG Power’s local market expertise. The venture is expected to achieve a valuation of over GBP 500 million within five years and generate around GBP 50 million in annual profits, positioning it as a major player in China’s clean energy market.

China

Sinopec has completed a new long-distance hydrogen logistics demonstration in China, with three hydrogen-powered trucks traveling about 1,500 km from Shanghai to Yichang along the Yangtze River. The vehicles crossed five provinces and municipalities and refueled at six Sinopec hydrogen stations en route, showing that cross-regional hydrogen transport is becoming operationally viable.

The run builds on earlier intercity hydrogen corridors and links Sinopec’s eastern and central China networks, supporting wider deployment of fuel-cell vehicles on major highway routes.

💡The company now operates 11 hydrogen supply centers and 146 hydrogen refueling stations across China, covering all national fuel-cell pilot city clusters. Sinopec also reports hydrogen production capacity of more than 4.4 million tonnes per year and is developing large renewable hydrogen projects and long-distance hydrogen pipelines. Together, the logistics trials and infrastructure build-out are aimed at enabling commercial hydrogen transport, lowering emissions in freight, and accelerating hydrogen mobility across key economic regions.

China-India

China’s Envision Energy has secured a contract to supply 128 MW of nearshore wind turbines for projects in Vietnam’s Vinh Long province. The order, placed by Vietnam’s REE Group, covers two developments—48 MW V1-3 Phase II and 80 MW V1-5&6 Phase II—using 16 EN-226/8.X MW turbines, each with a 226-metre rotor, making them among the largest nearshore wind turbines in Southeast Asia. Construction is scheduled to start soon, with grid connection targeted for October 2026.

💡The turbines are built to offshore standards to withstand humidity and salt spray, with an expected operational life of over 20 years. Envision is collaborating with local Vietnamese tower manufacturers to manage the challenges of producing large offshore components. Since its 2022 launch, the EN-226/8.X MW platform has accumulated over 2.5 GW in orders and has been deployed in offshore projects in China.

India

💡India-based lithium battery manufacturer Maxvolt Energy Industries has launched a wholly owned subsidiary, Maxvolt ReEarth, focused on integrated lithium battery recycling. The unit will handle second-life battery applications, dismantling and recycling of end-of-life batteries, production of black mass, and recovery of critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese using mechanical processing, hydrometallurgical extraction, and direct lithium recycling technologies.

Maxvolt ReEarth plans to collaborate with EV manufacturers, fleet operators, battery producers, telcos, energy storage providers, government agencies, PSUs, and R&D institutions to strengthen supply and close the loop in India’s lithium battery value chain.

Japan

FedEx has expanded its zero-emissions delivery fleet in Japan with the deployment of 17 electric trucks across Tokyo, Kanagawa and Osaka. The vehicles, including Mitsubishi Fuso eCanter and Isuzu ELF EV models with payloads of about 1.5 tonnes, will be used for parcel pickup and last-mile delivery in dense urban areas. FedEx estimates each truck will cut around 3.3 tonnes of tailpipe CO₂ emissions per year compared with diesel equivalents, supporting cleaner city logistics.

💡The rollout is part of FedEx’s wider plan to electrify its pickup and delivery operations and reach carbon-neutral operations by 2040.

Aviation

Aviation trends show strong growth in passenger traffic, regional connectivity, and sustainable operations, driven by rising demand, short-haul efficiency, and infrastructure upgrades. Key patterns include investment in aircraft lifecycle management, predictive maintenance, circular supply chains, and scalable fleet expansion to support long-term economic and environmental goals.

China

The China Air Transport Association (CATA) has released draft rules to regulate airline seat reservation practices, standardize air transport procedures, and safeguard passengers’ rights. Open for public comment until February 27, the rules introduce limits on the proportion of “blocked seats” and define principles for accessing and releasing them. Economy class seating must include at least 70 percent free selectable seats on domestic flights and 65 percent on international or regional flights, ensuring passengers who purchase tickets closer to departure have fair access to quality seating.

💡The draft also restricts cash-based paid seat selection on domestic flights, allowing only frequent flyer members to redeem points or tier benefits for specific seats. Paid selection remains permitted on international and regional flights, with airlines responsible for managing seat allocation based on demand.

Global

Airports Council International (ACI) World projects global passenger traffic will reach 10.2 billion in 2026, up 3.9 percent from 2025, and expects long-term demand to double by 2045 to 18.8 billion, growing at a 3.4 percent annual rate. The forecast notes that growth will be uneven across regions, driven by emerging markets, and constrained by airport capacity, aircraft delivery challenges, and operational complexities.

💡ACI World emphasized that meeting this demand will require coordinated industry action. Director General Justin Erbacci urged accelerated investment in airport infrastructure, airspace capacity, and operational resilience, warning that insufficient preparation could create bottlenecks, reduce service quality, and limit aviation’s contribution to the global economy, which currently accounts for 3.9 percent of GDP.

Hong Kong-France

Hong Kong’s China Aircraft Services (CASL) and France-based Elior Group have formed a 50-50 joint venture focused on aircraft dismantling and trading in aircraft parts. The collaboration aims to create a closed-loop aviation ecosystem in Hong Kong, covering maintenance, parts recycling, certification, and trading. Executives say the initiative will strengthen Hong Kong’s role in the global aviation supply chain, create jobs in aviation and related sectors, and support the city’s development as a regional aviation hub.

💡Retired aircraft will be brought to CASL’s hangars for evaluation, then transported to a dedicated facility near Hong Kong International Airport for dismantling and parts trading. The joint venture is designed to serve a market currently reliant on Europe and the U.S. for aircraft recycling, and the partners aim to begin operations before the end of the year.


India

Regional aircraft maker ATR has highlighted India’s short-haul connectivity as a turboprop-driven market in a new white paper. Analyzing 4.6 billion annual inter-city journeys, ATR found that over 90% are under 400 nautical miles, the range where turboprops outperform regional jets on cost, fuel efficiency, and sustainability. The study projects India will need 210 new turboprops by 2044 to support regional expansion, with up to 900 new domestic routes—420 of which fall squarely within turboprop territory—and 35 million additional passengers anticipated through UDAN-backed airport growth.

The report emphasizes the economics of turboprops for India’s price-sensitive market, noting 45% lower fuel burn and emissions compared with regional jets, right-sized capacity for Tier 2 and 3 city demand, and resilience amid rising fuel costs. With the expansion of 85 additional airports, ATR projects air travel could rise from 150 million to 240 million passengers annually, as regional turboprops unlock underserved markets and provide sustainable, affordable connectivity to millions currently dependent on road and rail.


Singapore

ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace business has extended its nacelle maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) partnership with LOT Polish Airlines for five years, supporting the airline’s 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

💡The agreement introduces a structured refurbishment programme that embeds predictive maintenance into nacelle lifecycle management, aiming to reduce unscheduled removals, improve turnaround performance, and optimize total cost of ownership while strengthening operational resilience.

South Asia

Boeing projects passenger air traffic in India and South Asia to grow at an average of 7 percent annually over the next 20 years, driven by a rising middle class, economic growth, and airport and connectivity investments. Airlines in the region will require nearly 3,300 new airplanes by 2044, with single-aisle jets making up nearly 90 percent of deliveries to serve fast-growing short- and medium-haul routes. The regional fleet is expected to expand from 795 to 2,925 aircraft, supported by increased domestic travel and a continued shift from rail to air.

💡The outlook also anticipates rapid expansion of long-haul and cargo operations. Widebody fleets are projected to more than triple, while freighter aircraft will grow fivefold to meet rising e-commerce and manufacturing demand. To support this growth, the region will need over $195 billion in aviation services and roughly 141,000 new professionals, including pilots, technicians, and cabin crew, to operate and maintain the expanding fleet.

Advanced Air Mobility

Urban air mobility is accelerating, with eVTOL development, infrastructure planning, and regulatory frameworks advancing across Asia and beyond. Trends include public-private collaboration, large-scale fleet and vertipad projections, and efforts to secure spectrum and safety standards for safe, scalable low-altitude air transport.

China

EHang has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Spain’s Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE) to collaborate on advanced air mobility and next-generation mobility solutions. The partnership leverages RACE’s expertise in motorsport, safety, and high-performance operations alongside EHang’s pilotless eVTOL technology to conduct demonstration flights, ecosystem development, and public engagement activities.

💡The MoU includes controlled validation flights at Madrid Jarama – RACE Circuit and joint work on regulatory and safety standards for AAM. The collaboration also promotes public education on sustainable mobility and supports Madrid’s ambition to become a global hub for innovative transport solutions.

China

Shanghai-based eVTOL developer TCab Tech will showcase its five-seater E20 aircraft at the APAC AAM Summit during the Singapore Airshow. Founded in 2021, the company has completed full-scale E20 transition tests and is now refining systems and generating certification evidence ahead of a 2027 type-certification target. The aircraft is designed for sightseeing, short-range shuttles, cargo, and special missions, with redundant flight-control systems, battery safety measures, and integrated propulsion architectures supporting regulatory approval and operational reliability.

💡TCab Tech is also advancing global deployment partnerships, including a 100-aircraft intent order with Abu Dhabi’s Autocraft and its Air Silk Road Global Pioneer initiative. The company emphasizes building trust through disciplined flight testing, certification alignment, and standardized operational playbooks, enabling partners to scale AAM services safely and efficiently across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other emerging low-altitude markets.

India

Australian firm Skyportz forecasts Delhi could see 40 million air taxi trips annually by 2045, with demand for roughly 2,200 vertipads in the city and 10,000–15,000 across India. The projections, shared during Wings India, highlight potential annual passenger revenues of US$400 million in Delhi and up to US$2.5 billion nationwide, driven by long commutes, slow peak-hour traffic, and growing adoption of urban air mobility.

💡Part of Skyportz’s five-city “frontier” study, the analysis emphasizes that infrastructure rollout will depend on regulation, technology performance, and investment trends. Falling costs and distributed vertipad deployment could make air taxis a viable, competitive alternative to traditional road transport.

US-India

American satellite communications firm Viasat is urging Indian authorities to designate the L‑band (1–2 GHz) as safety‑critical spectrum for advanced air mobility operations. The company says L‑band, already used for mobile satellite services, provides reliable connectivity for command, control, navigation, and data links critical to beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLoS) aircraft.

💡Viasat has engaged with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing to secure regulatory clarity and spectrum allocation for safety‑critical AAM communications.Viasat highlighted the need for coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ensure crewed and uncrewed aircraft coexist safely in Indian airspace.

Marine

Maritime initiatives reveal a focus on national resilience, domestic shipbuilding, and commercial innovation, alongside emerging security risks from opaque fuel supply chains. Trends include integrating investment with long-term charters, strengthening local maritime ecosystems, and ensuring reliable, high-value shipping capacity amid growing regional trade and defense needs.

Australia

Australia’s proposed strategic fleet of Australian-flagged ships has slipped behind schedule, with the government yet to announce winners for the first three vessels promised under its pilot program. The scheme is meant to keep a small pool of commercially operated ships crewed by Australians that could be called on in emergencies or defence situations, with government payments helping offset higher local operating costs. Canberra has allocated A$21.7m over five years, but the delay comes as Australia relies almost entirely on foreign-flagged tonnage, with only a handful of locally crewed commercial ships still trading.

Industry and security specialists warn the pause exposes wider vulnerabilities. Maritime groups say the fleet is needed both to rebuild the domestic seafarer base and to ensure access to shipping during crises, while analysts argue Australia’s trade and energy security depend heavily on uninterrupted sea transport. Although the pilot is seen as a useful first step, critics say it is modest compared with the scale of Australia’s dependence on global shipping and should be part of a broader strategy linking defence, trade and workforce development.

Japan

Japan has launched a new domestic shipping initiative aimed at securing work for its shipyards and strengthening the local maritime value chain amid rising competition from China and South Korea. ORIX’s vessel trading arm SOMEC has partnered with three major Japanese owner-builder groups—Shoei Kisen, Kambara Kisen, and Onomichi Dockyard—to form a joint venture shipowner, Sakura Ocean Corporation.

The JV plans to order three new vessels, one from each shipyard, for delivery by 2030 and charter them to Japanese operators. Ownership of Sakura Ocean will be split 30% each among the three shipyards, with SOMEC holding 10%, while Santoku Senpaku, an ORIX subsidiary, will oversee technical management.

💡The initiative represents Japan’s first integrated approach combining shipowners, builders, and traders in a single platform, aimed at stabilizing domestic orders, keeping ship finance onshore, and strengthening Japan’s influence in next-generation shipping.

Myanmar

A new Amnesty International investigation has revealed a shadow tanker network supplying Myanmar’s air force with jet fuel, raising concerns over civilian attacks. The report identifies at least nine aviation fuel shipments between mid-2024 and the end of 2025, delivered by four tankers using “shadow fleet” tactics, including turning off AIS tracking, spoofing positions, and opaque ship-to-ship transfers. Myanmar imported over 109,600 tonnes of aviation fuel in 2025, a 69% increase from the previous year, despite Western sanctions targeting its fuel supply.

Four vessels—Huitong 78 (Baraawe 1), Yong Sheng 56 (LS Mercury), Reef (ex-Baltic Horizon), and Noble (ex-Astra)—were central to these operations, frequently operating from offshore hubs such as the Fujairah Offshore Anchorage Area. Amnesty’s analysis and satellite imagery suggest that Reef and Noble were carrying Iranian fuel, using tactics similar to other sanctioned fuel networks.

💡The NGO warns that Myanmar’s jet fuel supply chain is increasingly opaque and has “gone rogue,” enabling the military to continue airstrikes on civilians despite international restrictions.

Singapore-Denmark

Singapore-based Wealth Holdings is entering the multipurpose vessel market with a charter-backed newbuilding programme of up to eight ships. The company has secured four firm 17,400-dwt MPPs with two plus two options, with Denmark’s DS Norden providing time-charter cover. Wealth Holdings Shipping will own the vessels and provide the capital, while Norden will handle commercial operations and trading.

The ships will be built at China’s Jiangsu Haitong Shipyard, with prices undisclosed. The structure reflects a broader project cargo trend of pairing asset investment with long-term chartering to improve earnings visibility in a tight market.

💡Designed for project and energy cargoes such as wind components and heavy industrial units, the vessels will feature an accommodation-forward layout with flexible deck space. For Wealth Holdings, which has previously operated only a small bulker fleet, the order marks a move into higher-value trades backed by Norden’s global platform. For Norden, the deal supports its growing charter-backed model, following more than 20 lease agreements in 2025, around half of them in the multipurpose segment.

Singapore-Japan

PSA Singapore and Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) are set to create a joint venture to operate a dedicated roro terminal in Singapore, subject to regulatory approval. The facility is expected to begin operations in the first half of 2026 and will support MOL’s growing car carrier business while expanding PSA’s role in vehicle handling at the port. The move aims to ensure reliable service, increase operational efficiency, and secure long-term terminal capacity in one of Asia’s largest automotive transshipment hubs.

💡MOL will contribute its international roro network and automotive client base, while PSA will provide port infrastructure and expertise in terminal operations. Both companies plan to jointly manage the terminal and collaborate on digital solutions, workflow optimisation, and sustainability initiatives.

Space

Space activity in the region is rapidly expanding, with trends in commercial space development, advanced satellite deployment, and end-to-end mission operations. Focus areas include Earth observation, high-throughput connectivity, space tourism, resource exploration, and responsive orbital operations, signaling growing strategic, economic, and technological ambitions in the sector.

China

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), plans to expand into commercial space sectors including space tourism, digital infrastructure, resource development, and space traffic management, according to state media reports.

The announcement aligns with China’s forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) and highlights long-term ambitions such as asteroid exploration, cislunar infrastructure, and space-based gigawatt-scale computing, while also proposing autonomous satellite operations, optical inter-satellite links, and on-orbit data processing. CASC envisions integrating space systems into broader economic and strategic priorities under its “space+” concept.

💡The corporation also outlined plans for suborbital and orbital space tourism vehicles, reusable heavy-lift launchers capable of delivering 20- to 100-ton payloads to low Earth orbit, and new commercial launch infrastructure in Jiuquan, Hainan, and eastern coastal areas. CASC aims to strengthen space traffic management with debris monitoring, early warning systems, and removal technologies, potentially positioning China to influence international rules for orbital safety.


China-Algeria

China successfully launched the AlSat-3B remote sensing satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Saturday. Carried by a Long March-2C rocket, the satellite was placed into its designated orbit at 12:01 p.m. Beijing time. AlSat-3B, developed by the China Academy of Space Technology under CASC, will support applications including land planning and disaster prevention.

💡The mission is part of Algeria’s remote sensing satellite program, a collaboration between China Great Wall Industry Corporation and the Algerian Space Agency. It follows the recent launch of AlSat-3A on January 15 and is supported by associated ground systems, training, and services. This launch marked the 629th flight of China’s Long March rocket series.

Indonesia

Nusantara Lima Satellite (SNL), also known as Satellite N5, has successfully reached its designated geostationary orbit above Kalimantan, completing its Electric Orbit Raising phase. Launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in September 2025, the satellite now occupies the 113-degree east longitude position, around 35,786 kilometers above Earth, and is set to enter a three-month testing and verification period before full operations begin in April 2026.

💡Owned by PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN), SNL is a Very High Throughput Satellite with over 160 Gbps capacity, featuring 101 Ka-band spot beams covering Indonesia. The satellite will expand internet access, support public services, economic development, environmental monitoring, and defense, and, together with PSN’s ground network, will bring Indonesia’s total satellite capacity to more than 400 Gbps—the largest in the Asia-Pacific region.

South Korea

South Korea has successfully deployed its NEONSAT‑1A satellite into low Earth orbit as part of its plan to build an advanced Earth-observation constellation. Launched aboard Rocket Lab’s 81st Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand on January 30, the satellite will test capabilities for monitoring natural disasters and national security events along the Korean Peninsula. NEONSAT‑1A follows the 2024 deployment of NEONSAT‑1, the first in the government’s planned constellation.

💡The mission, named “Bridging The Swarm,” marks Rocket Lab’s second launch in just eight days and its second mission of 2026, demonstrating growing demand for responsive satellite deployment.

US-Australia

Varda Space Industries successfully completed the reentry of its W-5 capsule, the first mission using its in-house satellite bus. Launched in November 2025, W-5 carried a U.S. Navy payload and landed safely at the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia after nine weeks in orbit. The mission, part of the Prometheus program with the Air Force Research Laboratory, demonstrates Varda’s ability to manage the full mission lifecycle, from orbital operations to atmospheric reentry.

💡The capsule featured Varda’s satellite bus and a C-PICA heatshield, supporting autonomous orbital maneuvers and precise payload recovery. W-5 also allowed testing in hypersonic conditions, providing data for national security applications and advancing the company’s work in orbital pharmaceutical processing and reentry technologies.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

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Your exclusive gateway to the latest developments across transportation and space, and most importantly, how to finance it all - debt, equity, and defi! We follow and forecast where the money’s at.

Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: Australia’s Aware Super Invests $300M in Vantage Data Centers APAC; Indonesia’s J&T Global Express Plans $596M Convertible Bond to Fund Expansion; Maybank Commits $2.5B to AI and Digital Banking Over Five Years; Malaysia’s LGMS Berhad Buys 27% Stake in Singapore Cybersecurity Firm Antarex; Singapore’s Toku Raises $12.65M in IPO, First 2026 Listing on SGX Catalist; AI Startup Level3AI Secures $13M Seed Funding to Expand in APAC; and Google Cloud Launches $1B Thailand Region to Boost Local AI Services

Environmental Sustainability: UN Calls for Financial Reforms to Drive Nature-Positive Investments; Indonesia Joins Global Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets; Inpex Withdraws Bonaparte CCS Project in Australia Amid Regulatory Uncertainty; Singapore Expands Emission Factors Registry to Strengthen Carbon Reporting; and Vietnam to Roll Out Biofuel-Blended Petrol Nationwide from June

Aviation: Topsoe to Supply SAF Technology for 300K-Ton Facility in China; India’s NRL Partners with TotalEnergies on 200K-Ton SAF Project; Hong Kong Pushes for Regional SAF Hub Amid Local Constraints; Malaysia’s Teleport Raises $50M Ahead of IPO to Expand Air Cargo Network; Singapore Introduces Fully Autonomous Baggage Tractors at Changi Airport; and Korean Air and Hanjin Carriers Ban In-Flight Power Bank Use Over Safety Concerns

Advanced Air Mobility: EU and Japan Strengthen Cooperation on Uncrewed Aircraft Safety and Regulations; India’s SASMOS HET Technologies Secures Long-Term eVTOL Wiring Contract with SkyDrive; Japan’s Unifly Validates Drone Detect-and-Avoid Standards for BVLOS Operations; and NextAVIAN to Host APAC AAM Leadership Summit at 2026 Airshow

Marine: Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Reports First Verified Carbon Removals, Targets 2.2M Tons by 2030; Malaysia’s OMS Group Orders Two Sustainable Cable-Laying Vessels from Norway’s Ulstein; Singapore’s Michael Kum Acquires $17M Stake in Marco Polo Marine; Singapore Launches All-Electric Hydromover 2.0 for Port Cargo Operations; and Vietnam Assigns Offshore Areas for Wind Surveys to EVN and Petrovietnam

Space: China Completes First Metal 3D Printing in Space; InterstellOr Plans Suborbital Flights for Private Passengers; India’s Aule Space Raises $2M for Autonomous Satellite Jetpacks; Japan’s Interstellar Technologies Secures AU$130M Series F to Advance Zero Rocket; and L3Harris to Provide Imaging Payload for Korea’s GEO-KOMPSAT-5 Weather Satellite

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Financing & Investments

Investments across Asia-Pacific show a clear focus on AI, cloud, and digital infrastructure, with both large funds and startups driving growth. Cross-border deals and local expansions highlight strong confidence in tech-led transformation and regional market opportunities.

Australia-APAC

Australian fund Aware Super announced a $300 million investment in Skyline JV, which indirectly owns Vantage Data Centers APAC, a provider of hyperscale data centers with more than ten assets across Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. The investment builds on Aware Super’s relationship with DigitalBridge Group, following their 2023 co-investment in Switch Data Centers in the U.S., and brings the fund’s total digital infrastructure holdings to over AUD 6 billion ($4.04 billion), more than a quarter of its infrastructure portfolio.

💡The funding will support Vantage APAC’s expansion across the Asia-Pacific region, projected to require up to 20GW of data center capacity by 2030 driven by hyperscaler cloud deployments and AI workloads.


Indonesia

Indonesian courier company J&T Global Express said it plans to raise about HK$4.65 billion ($596.4 million) through the issuance of convertible bonds, according to a stock exchange filing on Friday. Based on an initial conversion price of HK$14.55 per share, and assuming full conversion, the 2026 convertible bonds could be converted into up to about 319.6 million new shares.

💡The company said the proceeds will be used to expand its overseas business and advance technology development, as well as to optimize its capital structure, including potential share repurchases, and for general corporate purposes.


Malaysia

Maybank said it will invest MYR 10 billion ($2.5 billion) over the next five years in technology, data and artificial intelligence as part of its long-term digital strategy. The lender said the funding will be used to modernize core banking systems, adopt cloud and AI architecture, and improve productivity and user experience. The program is intended to support growth beyond 2030 and strengthen operational resilience.

💡Maybank is targeting a return on equity of 13% to 14% by 2030 while balancing technology spending with cost and balance sheet management.


Malaysia

Malaysia-based cybersecurity firm LGMS Berhad has completed the acquisition of a 27% stake, or 3.09 million shares, in Singapore-based cyber defense technology company Antarex Holdings for MYR 22.68 million (about $5.66 million). The company said the deal was funded entirely through internal cash reserves, reflecting its current liquidity position. The investment is aimed at expanding AI-driven cybersecurity capabilities and strengthening LGMS’ presence across Southeast Asia.

💡Following the transaction, LGMS plans to integrate its StarSentry vulnerability management platform with Antarex’s defense technologies, including Managed XNI, DarkShield and Managed XOC+. The collaboration will support real-time threat detection, automated incident response and compliance-focused security services for enterprise and critical infrastructure clients. LGMS also intends to scale its Security Operations Center-as-a-Service offering using Antarex’s Managed XOC+ platform.

Singapore

Singapore-incorporated Toku Ltd., an AI-powered customer experience platform, raised S$16.25 million ($12.65 million) in its initial public offering, selling invitation shares at S$0.25 each. The company will list on the Catalist Board of the Singapore Exchange (SGX-ST), marking the first IPO on the exchange in 2026. The offering gives Toku a post-IPO market capitalization of S$142.56 million ($111.01 million).

The IPO drew participation from institutional investors including Lion Global Investors, Amova Asset Management Asia, Asdew Acquisitions, and Ginko-AGT Global Growth Fund. Toku plans to use the proceeds to scale its platform globally, expand AI capabilities, and pursue strategic partnerships and acquisitions.


Singapore

Artificial intelligence startup Level3AI raised $13 million in seed funding in a round led by Lightspeed, with participation from BEENEXT, 500 Global, Sovereign’s Capital and Goodwater Capital. The Singaporean company will use the proceeds to expand across Asia Pacific and invest further in research and development as it targets enterprises seeking to improve customer engagement using AI.

💡Founded in July 2024, Level3AI develops enterprise AI agents for voice, email and chat interactions. Its platform combines large language models with deterministic controls to deliver consistent and auditable outcomes, while guaranteeing performance metrics such as customer satisfaction or conversion rates.


Thailand

Google Cloud has launched a new cloud region in Thailand backed by a $1 billion investment, marking its first in-country infrastructure deployment for the market. The Bangkok region will provide local organizations with access to Google Cloud and AI services while addressing data residency and regulatory requirements, including Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act.

Google said the facility includes three availability zones and is designed to support secure, high-performance computing for enterprises, startups and the public sector. Over the next five years, the company estimates the region will contribute about THB 1.4 trillion ($41 billion) in economic value and support an average of 130,000 jobs annually.

💡The new region is integrated with Google’s global network, including subsea and terrestrial cables connecting more than 200 countries, enabling lower latency and improved application performance in Thailand. Google said regulated industries such as financial services will benefit from in-country data storage and encryption, supporting broader cloud adoption.

Environmental Sustainability

Global and regional efforts show a shift toward nature-positive finance, carbon markets, and cleaner energy, with governments and businesses enhancing data, regulation, and incentives for sustainable investments. Policies range from carbon trading and biofuel adoption to improved emissions reporting, reflecting a growing focus on measurable climate and biodiversity outcomes.

Global

The United Nations has called for financial reforms to steer global markets toward people- and planet-friendly outcomes, highlighting a major imbalance in investment. The State of Finance for Nature 2026 report finds that for every dollar spent on protecting nature, $30 is directed to activities that degrade it. Major contributors include utilities, industrials, energy, and basic materials, as well as sectors benefiting from environmentally harmful subsidies such as fossil fuels, agriculture, water, transport, and construction.

💡The report identifies economically viable “nature-positive” solutions, including greening cities, integrating nature into infrastructure, and producing emissions-negative building materials. While $7.3 trillion was spent on nature-harming activities in 2023, only $220 billion supported nature-based solutions, mostly public-funded. Investment in biodiversity and landscape protection rose 11% year-on-year, with international public finance for nature-based initiatives up 22% from 2022 and 55% above 2015 levels.

Indonesia

Indonesia has joined the Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets, a government-led initiative aimed at strengthening global carbon trading and channeling private investment into nature-based climate solutions. The Ministry of Forestry became the coalition’s eleventh national member, endorsing a shared agenda to expand high-integrity use of carbon credits and support emissions reduction and environmental conservation.

💡The coalition, co-chaired by Kenya, Singapore, and the UK, promotes Shared Principles for Growing High-Integrity Use of Carbon Credits, first published at COP30. Current members include Canada, France, Panama, Peru, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Zambia. Indonesia’s participation leverages its experience in forest-based carbon projects, mangroves, and tropical peatlands, helping attract private investment into verified climate action initiatives.


Japan-Australia

Japanese energy company Inpex has withdrawn its Bonaparte carbon capture and storage (CCS) project from Australia’s federal environmental review, citing changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The project, jointly owned with Woodside and TotalEnergies, is designed to store up to 300 million tons of CO₂ captured from the Ichthys offshore gas field, with construction initially planned for 2028 and operations targeted for 2031. Inpex intends to resubmit the project once the revised regulatory framework comes into effect, expected in February.

💡The withdrawal highlights regulatory uncertainty for large-scale offshore CCS in Australia, alongside economic and technical challenges. Environmental groups have raised concerns about potential leakage and marine impacts, while analysts note that existing financial incentives may not cover the high capital costs. If approved, Bonaparte could store up to 10 million tons of CO₂ annually, making it one of the country’s largest proposed carbon storage hubs.


Singapore

The Singapore Emission Factors Registry (SEFR) has expanded with 94 new emission factors (EFs) to strengthen local carbon data infrastructure and support more accurate business reporting. The additions include three new EFs for cleaning, security, and professional services; five for information and communications technology (ICT); and 86 for industrial processes, refrigerants, purchased energy, and building materials, bringing SEFR’s total to 319 EFs covering all Scope 1 and 2 emissions and four Scope 3 categories.

💡A*STAR and the Singapore Business Federation developed the service-specific EFs using local business activity data, providing actionable insights for companies to reduce carbon emissions. Recommended measures include using greener supplies and energy-efficient machinery in cleaning, electrifying security fleets, and extending IT asset lifespans in professional services. The registry also offers a carbon calculator for ICT emissions, helping businesses compare cloud and on-premise options. SEFR now serves as a key tool for companies advancing Singapore’s net-zero transition.

Vietnam

Vietnam will adopt biofuel-blended petrol nationwide from 1 June, replacing conventional fossil fuels. The move aims to cut road transport emissions, strengthen energy security, and support the domestic agricultural sector, while aligning with international climate commitments. Biofuels, made from renewable biological sources, are compatible with existing vehicles and fuel infrastructure, and authorities confirm supply is ready for a smooth transition.

💡The policy is expected to boost domestic biofuel production, create opportunities for farmers, and support rural economic development.

Aviation

Asia-Pacific aviation is seeing a strong push toward sustainable fuels, automation, and safety enhancements, with SAF projects, autonomous airport operations, and stricter in-flight safety measures gaining momentum. Investment and collaboration across countries highlight the region’s focus on green aviation, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation.

Denmark-China

Danish cleantech developer Topsoe has been selected by Tangshan Jinlihai Biotechnology to supply its Hydroflex® technology and services for a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel facility at the Tangshan Jinlihai industrial hub, with an annual feedstock capacity of 300,000 tons. Once operational, the project is expected to avoid roughly 700,000 metric tons of CO₂e each year—equivalent to emissions from about two million passengers flying from Beijing to Copenhagen.

💡The plant, located in Caofeidian Petrochemical Base in Hebei, China, will use waste oil as feedstock, with construction set to begin in late 2026 and operations targeted for late 2028. The agreement strengthens Topsoe’s SAF presence in China and marks its sixth contract in the country.

India-France

India’s state-run Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) will partner with France’s TotalEnergies to develop a 200-kilotonne-per-year sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project at Paradip, Odisha, with a preliminary agreement to be signed during India Energy Week starting January 27. NRL and Oil India Ltd will also sign a preliminary deal with TotalEnergies for future LNG supplies.

💡At the same conference, Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) will purchase 12 million barrels of crude from Brazil’s Petrobras for fiscal year 2027, doubling 2026 volumes. BPCL’s unit, Bharat PetroResources Ltd, will also acquire stakes in oil and gas companies globally through a deal with Shell.


Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary, Paul Chan Mo-po, urged the creation of a regional sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) hub in Asia, noting the city’s limited land, feedstock, and refining capacity make local production unfeasible. Hong Kong could participate through joint investments in neighbouring regions of China to support commercially viable SAF projects.

💡Chan also highlighted hydrogen transport trials, with 26 pilot projects approved last year, while Cathay Pacific aims to use SAF on 10% of its flights by 2030.

Malaysia

Malaysia-based logistics firm Teleport has signed a subscription agreement with funds managed by HPS Investment Partners to raise $50 million through the issuance of redeemable convertible perpetual securities as pre-initial public offering (IPO) growth capital. Teleport said the funding values the company at about $500 million on a pre-money basis and will be used to strengthen its balance sheet and expand its cross-border e-commerce network ahead of a future listing. The deal brings Teleport’s total funds raised since its 2018 launch to about $109 million.

Teleport, the logistics arm of Capital A Berhad, said the capital will support network growth with partner airlines and accelerate its asset-light air cargo model globally. The company operates an air network connecting more than 290 cities across 80 countries through over 50 partner airlines, focusing on cross-border e-commerce flows in Asia-Pacific and beyond.

💡Completion of the securities issuance is subject to conditions in the agreement. BNP Paribas and Milbank advised Teleport on the transaction, while Latham & Watkins acted for HPS.

Singapore

Changi Airport has introduced its first fully autonomous driverless tractors for airside baggage operations after nearly a year of trials. Two tractors are now operating between Terminal 1 and Terminal 4, with sensors and cameras enabling navigation in all conditions and remote monitoring allowing operator intervention if needed. Six more tractors will be deployed later this year between Terminal 2 and aircraft stands, with the fleet expected to reach 24 vehicles by 2027. The system will later be expanded for cargo and equipment handling.

💡The project, co-funded by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, aims to increase operational efficiency by allowing staff to focus on tasks beyond vehicle driving. Safety measures include designated AV zones and labelled vehicles. The rollout also supports workforce adaptation, with CAG and SATS using the program to redesign roles, implement training, and integrate automation into airside operations ahead of Terminal 5.

South Korea

Korean Air and four Hanjin Group carriers — Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul — will ban the in-flight use of power banks from January 26. Passengers may still bring power banks onboard within existing capacity limits, but charging devices during flight is prohibited. To prevent short circuits, metal ports must be covered with tape or each battery stored separately, and all power banks must remain within personal reach, not in overhead bins.

The move follows a rise in in-flight incidents involving lithium-ion batteries. Airlines will notify passengers via websites, apps, check-in counters, boarding gates, and onboard announcements. Korean Air has also enhanced fire-prevention measures, including insulation tape at check-in, fire-containment bags, temperature-sensitive stickers on bins, and specialised cabin crew drills for battery-related fires.

Advanced Air Mobility

Advanced Air Mobility in Asia-Pacific and Europe is gaining momentum through regulatory alignment, safety validation, and industry partnerships, with eVTOL development, drone integration, and ecosystem-building events driving innovation. Cross-border collaboration highlights a focus on scalable, safe, and commercially viable low-altitude air transport solutions.

EU-Japan

The European Union and Japan are strengthening cooperation in civil aviation as uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility expand. A workshop in Tokyo and Nagoya brought together authorities and industry from both regions to discuss risk-based approaches, regulatory compliance, and oversight, including practical exercises to align standards for safe and innovative UAS operations.

💡Organized under the EU–Japan Aviation Partnership Project (EU-JP APP) by EASA and JCAB, the event reinforced mutual understanding of operational safety and regulatory frameworks. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to international coordination, knowledge sharing, and supporting scalable, safe unmanned and advanced air mobility operations.

India-Japan

Bangalore-based aerospace and defence firm SASMOS HET Technologies has secured a long-term contract with Japanese eVTOL manufacturer SkyDrive to provide the Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) for its eVTOL aircraft.

💡The agreement covers system design, prototyping, certification support, and serial production readiness, marking a milestone in SkyDrive’s push toward commercial deployment.

Japan

Unifly, a subsidiary of Japan-based Terra Drone Corp., has completed an FAA-supported study validating safety standards for drone detect-and-avoid systems. Conducted under Project A68 of the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence, the research focused on “well clear” requirements that define safe separation distances between drones and crewed aircraft.

💡Using its uncrewed aircraft system (UTM) platform for simulations and flight tests, Unifly demonstrated that UTM technology can effectively support detect-and-avoid functions in beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations and high-density airspace. The findings are expected to inform regulatory frameworks and support broader integration of low-altitude airspace for drones and emerging aircraft.

Singapore

Singapore’s NexAviation, as the official partner for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and the Low Altitude Economy (LAE), will host the APAC AAM Leadership Summit at the Singapore Airshow 2026. The event aims to advance the region’s AAM and LAE ecosystem and accelerate innovation in air transport.

💡The summit on 2 February 2026 at the Singapore Institute of Technology will feature three panels—China LAE, Global AAM, and AAMI Infrastructure—with confirmed speakers from Albatross AI, Eve Air Mobility, Vertical Aerospace, Skyports Infrastructure, and other industry leaders. Discussions will focus on technology, infrastructure, and operational approaches to scaling advanced air mobility across the Asia-Pacific region

Marine

Maritime and offshore sectors are advancing sustainability and green infrastructure, from carbon removal initiatives and electric vessels to offshore wind development. Investments and partnerships across Asia highlight a trend toward low-carbon shipping, renewable energy expansion, and technologically advanced maritime operations.

Japan

Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) reported its first verified carbon removals under its Environmental Vision 2.2 plan, achieving 2,000 tons of CO₂ in fiscal 2024 and securing 53,400 tons of future removals through partnerships with Climeworks (Direct Air Capture), Captura (ocean capture), and Alt Carbon (enhanced rock weathering). The company said these measures complement ongoing emissions reduction efforts in shipping, which produces roughly 3% of global CO₂.

💡MOL is also advancing nature-based initiatives, including a 10,000-hectare forest joint venture with Marubeni in India, and collaborations with ITOCHU and Nippon Express to reduce supply chain emissions. The company aims to remove 2.2 million tons of CO₂ by 2030, combining technological and natural solutions while supporting the growth of the global carbon removal market.

Malaysia-Norway

Malaysian subsea digital infrastructure provider OMS Group has contracted Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein to design and build two cable-laying vessels. Scheduled for delivery in 2028, the vessels are intended to support the growing demand for high-capacity submarine cable systems while incorporating sustainability features to reduce carbon emissions.

💡The vessels, designated Ulstein SX252, will measure 130 m by 22 m, with capacity for 6,500 tonnes of cable and accommodation for 75 personnel. Features include two main and two spare cable tanks, a hangar-covered cable deck, an open deck for ROVs and containers, and a 50-tonne A-frame with towing winch for ploughing

Singapore

Singaporean business magnate Michael Kum, through his investment vehicle Halom Investments, has acquired 150 million shares in offshore vessel operator and shipyard Marco Polo Marine from Apricot Capital. The shares were purchased at S$0.078 each, bringing the total transaction value to approximately S$17 million.

💡Following the sale, Apricot Capital’s stake in Marco Polo Marine declined from 16.15% to 12.16%. The firm originally became the company’s largest shareholder in 2018, investing S$20 million to support debt restructuring when Marco Polo Marine faced financial difficulties.

Singapore

The all-electric Hydromover 2.0, designed by Incat Crowther for Singapore’s marinEV, has begun transporting light cargo to vessels anchored in the Singapore Strait awaiting port entry. The 24-metre vessel carries up to 30 tonnes on its 70-square-metre cargo deck and is powered by a lithium-ion battery that can be fully charged in under two hours. It also features real-time analytics, route optimisation, collision detection, and automated vessel management systems.

💡Compared with its predecessor, the Hydromover 1.0, the 2.0 model offers 50% greater cargo capacity, 75% larger deck space, improved energy storage, and a redesigned electrical system to reduce power loss and extend operational range. Yinson GreenTech has signed a bareboat charter agreement with Yacht International UAE to deliver Hydromover 2.0 vessels to the United Arab Emirates, expected by mid-2026.

Vietnam

Vietnamese authorities have assigned sea areas to Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and Petrovietnam for offshore wind surveys. EVN received 240 sq km offshore the Long Chau archipelago and Bach Long Vi Island for the Bac Bo 1.3 and Bac Bo projects, while Petrovietnam was granted over 398 sq km off Lam Dong for the Nam Trung Bo 1 project. The survey periods are set at 36 months and are fee-free. These allocations aim to support offshore wind development while giving regulators greater control over marine space and reducing conflicts with other uses.

💡The survey assignments mark the first step in Vietnam’s offshore wind expansion. The government maintains its target of 6 GW by 2030, 17 GW by 2035, and between 113 GW and 139 GW by 2050, despite earlier proposals to delay development due to investment costs of $60–70 billion.

Space

Regional space activity is accelerating in suborbital flights, in-space manufacturing, satellite technology, and advanced launch systems, with private startups and established contractors driving innovation. Investments and experiments highlight trends in commercial space access, orbital autonomy, and high-resolution Earth observation.

China

China completed its first metal 3D printing experiment in space using a retrievable payload developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The payload was launched on the Lihong-1 Y1 suborbital vehicle from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and produced metal components in microgravity at about 120 kilometers altitude. CAS described the mission as moving from ground-based research to in-space verification of metal additive manufacturing.

💡The experiment addressed challenges including material transport, microgravity forming, and process control. The payload was successfully recovered, providing data on melt pool behavior, material transport, solidification, and part accuracy. The vehicle, designed for reuse, also carried rose seeds for agricultural research. Planned upgrades include crew life support and escape systems to enable additional scientific experiments and commercial suborbital operations.

China

Beijing-based InterstellOr Human Spaceflight Technology has outlined plans for suborbital flights for private passengers with its CYZ-1 spacecraft. The vehicle features a crew module with six seats and a standby escape capsule, weighing approximately 8 metric tons with an internal volume of 21 cubic meters. It will be launched by a small carrier rocket, separate at around 70 kilometers altitude, and reach up to 200 kilometers above Earth, crossing the Karman Line without entering orbit.

💡The flight will provide roughly three minutes of weightlessness before descending under parachutes for a controlled landing. The company intends to complete two uncrewed test flights by the end of 2028, followed by the first crewed flight

India

Bengaluru-based spacetech startup Aule Space has raised $2 million in a funding round led by pi Ventures, with participation from angel investors including Eash Sundaram and Arvind Lakshmikumar. The capital will support the development of the company’s autonomous in-orbit “jetpacks” for satellites, which perform station-keeping and orbital adjustments without retrofitting or fuel transfer, extending operational life for high-value geostationary satellites.

💡The funding will also enable Aule to expand its engineering team, build ground infrastructure for docking trials, and advance demonstration satellites scheduled for launch next year to test rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking. T

Japan

Japanese space start-up Interstellar Technologies has raised 20.1 billion yen (AU$129.7 million) in a Series F funding round, one of the largest ever for a privately held space company in Japan. The round, led by Woven by Toyota, also included investments from SBI Group, Nomura Real Estate Development, B Dash Ventures, SMBC Edge, and existing shareholders. Combined with debt financing and secondary share transactions, the company’s total funding now stands at 44.6 billion yen (AU$287.7 million).

💡Interstellar is developing the Zero orbital rocket, selected for Phase 3 of Japan’s government-backed Small Business Innovation Research program, with seven satellites already confirmed for its first launch. The company is also advancing communications satellite R&D and building high-frequency manufacturing capabilities through a partnership with Toyota.

USA-South Korea

L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract by LIG Nex1 to provide the imaging payload for the Korea Meteorological Administration’s GEO-KOMPSAT-5 geostationary weather satellite. The 18-channel L3Harris Meteorological Imager includes enhanced water vapor measurement and higher resolution capabilities, aiming to improve the accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasts for the Korean Peninsula.

💡The contract continues L3Harris’ long-standing support for Korean weather satellites, following its work on GEO-KOMPSAT-2A and earlier meteorological missions. The company’s imaging technology is also used by global clients, including NOAA’s GeoXO system and Japan’s Himawari-10 satellite.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

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Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: China’s mBridge Digital Yuan Platform Hits $55B; China Probes Battery Maker Ningbo Ronbay Over Contract Claims; Shanghai Robotics Firm AgiBot Opens Malaysia AI Centre; Thailand Greenlights $3.1B in Data Centers; Singapore’s OMOWAY Raises Millions for Electric Motorcycles; Singapore Robotics Firm Botsync Expands AI Automation; and Singapore Digital Finance Platform Atome Secures $345M Debt Facility

Environmental Sustainability: LONGi Hydrogen Energy Ships 5MW Electrolyzer to Europe; Germany’s osapiens Raises $100M, Achieves Unicorn Status; Microsoft Partners with Varaha for 2M-Tonne Carbon Removal in India; Singapore-South Korea JV Backs $300M Hydrogen Mobility Expansion; IFC Invests $100M in Thailand’s KBank Green Bond; and Vietnam’s HDBank Completes $100M International Green Bond Program

Aviation: Coulson Aviation Sues Columbia Over South Korea Firefighting Contract; China’s J&T and SF Holding Seal $1B Cross-Shareholding Deal; EASA Pilots Conduct Test Flights of COMAC C919 in Shanghai; GIBO Expands AI Aviation Platform for Industrial and ESG Analytics; Wreckage of Missing Indonesian ATR 42-500 Located Amid Mountain Search; Thailand to Scrap Aircraft Age Limits, Shift to Airworthiness Standards; and Viasat to Launch Iris Test Facility in Singapore for Air Traffic Optimization

Advanced Air Mobility: China Commissions First Police eVTOL in Guangzhou; Xpeng’s Aridge eVTOL Prepares Hong Kong IPO; China Conducts Maiden Flight of Tianma 1000 Uncrewed Transport Aircraft; and Japan’s SkyDrive Signs Deal to Sell 20 eVTOLs to Dubai

Marine: Mitsui Launches Japan’s First Fractional Aircraft and Ship Securities; MOL PLUS Invests in Singapore Electric Vessel Developer Pyxis; Yangzijiang Orders Six New Vessels with Options for Ten More; HD KSOE Begins Wing Sail Trials on HMM MR Tanker; and HMM Partners with Avikus and HD KSOE to Deploy AI Navigation

Space: China Expands Satellite Network with 18th Internet Launch; Chinese Researchers Develop World’s First Lunar Timekeeping Software; India’s PSLV-C62 Rocket Fails, Losing 16 Satellites; Japan’s ispace Selected for Lunar Polar Landing Project; Japan and Italy to Cooperate on Space Debris; and Japan Signs Space Partnership with Saudi Arabia

Financing & Investments

Southeast Asia and China are seeing a surge in digital innovation and cross-border expansion, with major investments in AI, robotics, digital finance, and data infrastructure. From China’s digital yuan platform and robotics exports to Singapore and Thailand’s tech-driven projects, the region is increasingly positioning itself as a hub for fintech, smart mobility, and AI-powered automation.

China

Transactions on the China-led cross-border digital currency platform mBridge have surpassed US$55 billion (HK$429 billion), according to a report by the Atlantic Council, reflecting growing adoption of alternatives to dollar-based payment systems. The platform, tested by central banks in China, Hong Kong, Thailand, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, has processed more than 4,000 transactions, with the digital yuan accounting for about 95% of the volume. Since its early 2022 launch, transaction value has increased roughly 2,500-fold.

💡The digital yuan, or e-CNY, remains the world’s largest live central bank digital currency experiment, with over 3.4 billion transactions worth 16.7 trillion yuan (HK$18.7 trillion) processed as of late 2025. Analysts say mBridge is unlikely to challenge the dollar directly but could gradually reduce reliance on dollar-based settlement systems, with a growing focus on trade settlements, particularly in energy and commodities where China is a key player.


China

China’s securities regulator is investigating battery materials maker Ningbo Ronbay New Energy Technology over allegedly misleading statements related to a major contract announcement, according to a filing with the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The company said operations are normal and it will cooperate with the probe while adhering to disclosure requirements.

💡The investigation follows Ronbay’s announcement of a battery materials supply deal with Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) valued at more than 120 billion yuan ($17.2 billion). In a separate filing, Ronbay clarified that the figure was an internal estimate, with the final contract value dependent on raw material prices and order volumes. The company plans to invest about 8.7 billion yuan over three years to meet contract requirements and said it has sufficient cash and financing capacity to execute the deal without materially affecting liquidity.

China-Malaysia

Shanghai-based robotics firm AgiBot has opened its first overseas facility in Selangor, Malaysia, marking its expansion into Southeast Asia. The 2,000-square-metre AI and Robotics Experience Centre at i-City, developed with local partner I-Bhd, allows visitors to interact with humanoid and quadruped robots performing tasks such as dancing, conversing, handling objects, and navigating obstacles.

💡The centre also showcases applications in hospitality, tourism, property management, and healthcare. AgiBot, which shipped its 5,000th humanoid robot last year, holds a 39% share of China’s humanoid market and has gained global recognition, including a feature at CES 2026 during NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote.


Thailand

Thailand’s Board of Investment has approved seven new data center and hosting projects totaling more than $3.1 billion, aiming to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and support its goal of becoming a Digital Innovation Hub in ASEAN. The approved developments include True Internet Data Center, GSA Data Center 05, Stellar DC, and Freyr Technology, with facilities located in Bangkok, Chonburi, Samut Prakan, and Rayong, collectively providing over 368 MW of IT capacity.

💡The projects are expected to create skilled jobs, improve data security and access speeds, and support growth in sectors such as e-commerce, fintech, and artificial intelligence.


Singapore

Two-wheeled smart mobility firm OMOWAY has closed consecutive Pre-A and Pre-A+ funding rounds, raising tens of millions of U.S. dollars to support production and global expansion. The rounds were led by HongShan and Rocket Capital, with participation from existing investors including ZhenFund, Hui Capital and founder Todd He, with proceeds earmarked for mass production of its flagship electric motorcycle, the OMO X, further technology development and overseas market entry.

💡OMOWAY is preparing to commercially launch the OMO X, which integrates self-balancing technology with artificial intelligence and electronic control systems to assist stability at low speeds. The company plans to begin sales in Indonesia through partnerships with more than 10 local distributors, positioning Southeast Asia as its initial rollout region as it works toward large-scale delivery of self-balancing electric motorcycles.


Singapore

Robotics automation firm Botsync has raised additional funding from state-backed investor SGInnovate as part of its extended Series A round to support product development and regional expansion. The company plans to use the capital to enhance research and development, integrate its SyncOS platform with more robotic and software systems, expand artificial intelligence analytics, and improve the throughput and real-world performance of its autonomous mobile robots.

💡Botsync is preparing to deepen its presence in Southeast Asia and India while building partnerships to enter Australia, New Zealand and the United States, after recent expansion into Australia and South Africa. The company reported more than 240% growth in production trips to over one million in 2025 and 230% revenue growth, driven by demand from sectors including consumer goods, food and beverage and automotive, with deployments for clients such as Ford, Caterpillar, Nestle and Coca-Cola.

Singapore

Singapore-based digital finance platform Atome has secured a renewed and upsized $345 million syndicated debt facility, up from $200 million in 2024, to fund regional expansion of its lending business. HSBC remains structuring bank and mandated lead arranger and bookrunner, with DBS joining in that role, alongside lenders including Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation’s Singapore branch, Baiduri Bank and Cathay United Bank, while Fubon Bank and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank joined the syndicate.

💡The facility will support growth of Atome’s buy-now-pay-later, digital lending and card products across Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. Atome Financial reported operating income of $236 million in 2024, up 63% year-on-year, with gross merchandise value above $2 billion, and reported annualised net revenue above $500 million and GMV of about $6 billion in 2025, with December its strongest month.

Environmental Sustainability

Asia and Europe are accelerating investments in green technology, sustainable finance, and carbon reduction, from hydrogen and biochar projects to ESG software and green bonds. APAC is seeing a clear trend of cross-border collaboration and private-public partnerships aimed at decarbonization, renewable energy infrastructure, and scalable environmental solutions.

China-Europe

LONGi Hydrogen Energy has completed its first shipment of electrolytic water hydrogen production equipment to Europe, delivering a 5MW alkaline electrolyzer system. The project marks a key step in the company’s European expansion, combining targeted optimization in product compliance, engineering design, and delivery services to meet local market requirements. The system adheres to CE standards, follows ASME specifications, and has passed CE PED certification, ensuring structural safety, reliability, and long-term operational stability.

💡The delivery approach includes a full-service solution covering transportation, packaging, and on-site commissioning, with localized documentation and user-friendly operation guides to reduce project management costs. Ergonomic and safety-focused design enhances maintenance efficiency and personnel protection. LONGi Hydrogen Energy said the milestone validates its engineering capabilities and lays a foundation for further supporting Europe’s green hydrogen development and broader energy transition goals.


Germany

Enterprise sustainability software provider osapiens has raised $100 million in a Series C round led by Decarbonization Partners, a joint venture between BlackRock and Singapore’s Temasek, pushing the company’s valuation above $1 billion and granting it unicorn status. The investment will support expansion into global regulatory compliance markets as ESG disclosure and decarbonization requirements grow in the US, Europe, and Asia. Existing investors Goldman Sachs Alternatives and Armira Growth also participated.

osapiens’ platform, which integrates over 25 enterprise-grade solutions, helps companies manage climate obligations, supply chain transparency, and product traceability.

💡The funding will accelerate product development and international expansion amid rising regulatory scrutiny and investor demand for traceable, decarbonized supply chains. Decarbonization Partners highlighted the deal as a step in scaling digital ESG infrastructure in line with evolving global sustainability and compliance standards.

India

Microsoft has agreed to purchase long-duration biochar carbon removals from Varaha, a climate tech company working with smallholder farmers across India. The agreement will fund up to 18 industrial biomass gasification reactors over 15 years, targeting more than 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide removals. Varaha sources cotton stalks—typically burned after harvest—as feedstock, converting them into biochar and storing carbon for centuries.

💡The first reactor is located at Varaha’s research farm in Maharashtra, with scaling designed to ensure farmer participation and robust measurement and verification standards. Microsoft said the deal diversifies its carbon removal portfolio while advancing environmental, social, and economic co-benefits, highlighting the potential for scalable, high-integrity carbon removal in Asia.

Singapore-Korea

Singapore-based private equity firm The Sylvan Group has partnered SK Innovation, the energy unit of South Korea’s SK Group, to invest about $300 million to expand a hydrogen mobility business in South Korea, including building refuelling hubs for buses. The investment will be made through SK Hyverse, which plans to develop 29 liquefied hydrogen stations nationwide and support more than 6,000 hydrogen-powered buses by 2029, with capital deployed in phases as operations scale. South Korea will be the launch market, with plans to consider expansion elsewhere in Asia once performance is proven.

💡The refuelling hubs will be located near major bus depots to support demand, with hydrogen supplied under long-term agreements from SK’s liquefied hydrogen facilities in Incheon, Sylvan said. SK Innovation will provide experience across the hydrogen value chain, from production to downstream use, as the partners seek to scale commercial hydrogen transport, which is being promoted as a way to cut emissions from high-use and heavy-duty vehicle fleets.

Thailand

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will invest up to $100 million in a green bond issued by KASIKORNBANK, one of Thailand’s largest commercial lenders, as part of efforts to expand sustainable finance and resource-efficient practices in the country. The investment marks IFC’s first transaction with KBank and is aimed at supporting job creation, pollution reduction and higher environmental standards, with proceeds allocated to grow the bank’s sustainable assets such as green buildings and electric vehicles.

💡IFC is also working with KBank on knowledge sharing and capacity building to strengthen environmental and social risk practices and diversify its green portfolio. The partnership targets sectors tied to economic development, including mobility, housing and infrastructure, and forms part of the World Bank Group’s broader engagement with Thailand ahead of the IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings scheduled for Bangkok in October 2026.


Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City Development Commercial Bank (HDBank) has completed a $100 million international green bond programme after issuing a second $50 million tranche to Dutch development bank FMO and UK development finance institution British International Investment. The tranche comprises $30 million placed with FMO and $20 million with BII, following an earlier issuance to the International Finance Corporation, which helped bring the two investors into the deal. The bonds have a three-year maturity and are non-convertible, unsecured and issued without warrants.

💡HDBank said the proceeds will support lending for projects such as solar power, electric vehicles and green buildings under its Sustainable Finance Framework, which requires environmental and social risk screening. The bank said projects financed by the bonds are expected to cut about 102,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over 10 years and support Vietnam’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, while also helping diversify the lender’s funding sources and attract further foreign capital.

Aviation

The aviation industry in Asia-Pacific is seeing a surge in modernization, technological innovation, and regulatory adaptation, alongside ongoing safety and competitive challenges. From AI-driven data analytics, satellite-based traffic management, and international aircraft certification to policy shifts on aircraft lifespan.

Canada-USA-South Korea

Port Alberni-based Coulson Aviation has filed a lawsuit against U.S. competitor Columbia Helicopters, accusing it of deliberately blocking Coulson from securing a South Korean contract for aerial firefighting equipment. Coulson, which operates a global fleet of firefighting aircraft, alleges that Columbia initially agreed to use Coulson’s proprietary high-capacity water tanks in its helicopters if Coulson withdrew its bid. Coulson claims Columbia later installed rival tanks, costing the company up to US$28 million in potential sales and harming its reputation.

💡The lawsuit also alleges that Columbia made false statements to the South Korean Fire Service, questioning the reliability and technical quality of Coulson’s tanks. Filed in B.C. Supreme Court, Coulson is seeking damages for lost revenue and reputational harm. Columbia Helicopters has not publicly responded, and the case has not yet been tested in court.


China

J&T Global Express and China’s S.F. Holding have agreed to a strategic cross-shareholding involving mutual issuance of new shares with a transaction value of HK$8.3 billion ($1.06 billion). Under the deal, J&T will issue 822 million Class B shares to SF Holding at HK$10.10 each, while SF Holding will issue 226 million H shares to J&T at HK$36.74 apiece. After completion, SF Holding will own 10% of J&T on a diluted basis, and J&T will hold about 4.29% of SF Holding.

💡The arrangement is intended to integrate the two companies’ logistics networks as Chinese firms expand overseas and cross-border e-commerce grows. J&T contributes last-mile coverage and local operations across 13 countries, while SF Holding provides first-mile and line-haul capabilities in cross-border logistics, allowing the partners to improve end-to-end network coverage and competitiveness in both international and domestic China markets.

China-Europe

Pilots from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have conducted test flights of COMAC’s C919 commercial airliner in Shanghai as part of the aircraft’s certification process for Western regulators. The flights aim to validate the C919’s design and safety ahead of potential approval, with EASA confirming “validation activities” have taken place. Senior foreign pilots reportedly assisted in demonstrating the aircraft’s reliability, although minor adjustments were needed during testing.

💡The C919, China’s narrowbody competitor to Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320, is already in operation in some regions but lacks certification from both EASA and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, limiting its international market access. COMAC first applied for EASA certification in 2019, with delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a process restart in 2023.

Hong Kong

GIBO Holdings Ltd. has announced an expansion of its AI aviation roadmap, extending its GIBO.ai Calculation Engine beyond flight operations to provide AI-powered aerial intelligence and data analytics for commercial, industrial, and sustainability-focused markets. Building on its eVTOL platforms, GIBO is positioning aerial systems as data-generating assets capable of producing actionable insights for infrastructure planning, environmental assessment, energy optimization, and ESG decision-making.

💡The GIBO.ai Calculation Engine transforms real-time aerial data—including environmental sensing, terrain imaging, and operational telemetry—into structured intelligence for industries such as energy, infrastructure, logistics, and smart cities. The system supports sustainability and ESG applications by quantifying environmental conditions, monitoring change, and validating operational impact.


Indonesia

Indonesian authorities confirmed on Sunday that the wreckage of a missing ATR 42-500 turboprop has been located, with search and rescue operations ongoing despite challenging conditions of thick fog and mountainous terrain. The aircraft, operated by the Indonesian Air Transport group and chartered to the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, went missing Saturday on a flight from Yogyakarta to Makassar. Eleven people were on board, including eight crew members and three passengers.

The plane, registration PK-THT, first entered service in 2001 and had been operating for the Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance service since May 2025. Contact was lost shortly before the aircraft’s scheduled approach over Mount Bulusaraung. Authorities deployed 1,200 personnel to search the site, with large sections of the fuselage and tail observed scattered on the mountainside.

💡The cause of the crash remains unknown, and Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee will lead the investigation, supported by ATR and potentially international safety agencies


Thailand

Thailand plans to scrap age limits for commercial aircraft, shifting oversight to airworthiness standards, as the country faces a shortage of planes. Under current rules, passenger jets can operate up to 16 years, cargo planes 22 years, and helicopters five years. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) said the new approach will allow airlines to retain mid-life aircraft while ensuring strict maintenance and inspection regimes. Lessors will be required to enforce these standards for lessees.

💡The change comes as Thai carriers, including Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and Thai VietJet, contend with delivery delays from Airbus and Boeing. CAAT expects older aircraft will face more frequent inspections, requiring expanded MRO support. The policy, approved in principle, could take effect in the first quarter of 2026, providing airlines flexibility to bridge capacity gaps while continuing investment in newer, fuel-efficient fleets.


USA-Singapore

Viasat is set to launch an Iris Test Facility (ITF) in Singapore to support Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) across the Asia Pacific. The facility will provide end-to-end testing of live air and ground operations, including advanced datalink communications, multilink configurations, and automated surveillance exchanges, replicating operational conditions to ensure seamless integration before deployment.

💡Iris enables satellite-based 4D trajectory sharing between aircraft and controllers, optimizing routes, reducing fuel use, and minimizing delays. Integrated with global standards such as FF-ICE and SWIM, the system supports real-time collaboration between airlines, airports, and air navigation service providers. Building on European success, the ITF—expected to be operational in 2026—aims to enhance efficiency, predictability, and harmonization of air traffic management across the region

Advanced Air Mobility

China and Japan are accelerating both crewed and uncrewed eVTOL development, signaling growing adoption of low-altitude air mobility for law enforcement, commercial travel, and cargo transport. IPOs, maiden flights, and international sales deals point to the sector’s rapid commercialization and cross-border expansion.

China

China’s first police passenger-carrying eVTOL aircraft was commissioned and certified in Guangzhou on January 10. The two-person EH216S, developed by EHang, is an eVTOL aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 650 kilograms, a top speed of 130 km/h, and a 30 km range. It features an 8-axis, 16-rotor distributed power system and can fly autonomously along pre-set routes.

💡The Huangpu district public security bureau said the aircraft will be deployed for patrols, emergency response, traffic management, and search and rescue, making it the first crewed eVTOL aircraft to receive type, production, airworthiness, and operation certificates.


China

According to the South China Morning Post, Aridge, the eVTOL affiliate of Chinese EV maker Xpeng, is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong, potentially becoming the first mainland Chinese eVTOL aircraft company to list there. The Guangzhou-based company confidentially filed IPO plans with the Hong Kong stock exchange and appointed JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley as underwriters. Aridge was valued at around $2 billion after a $150 million Series B1 funding round in 2024 and aims to begin deliveries of its eVTOL aircraft in the second half of 2026.

💡The company’s first personal air vehicles are expected to be priced below 2 million yuan ($287,000) and will operate in low-altitude airspace below 1,000 metres. Analysts note that a successful listing could open the Hong Kong market for other eVTOL businesses, as interest grows in low-altitude commercial travel and next-generation mobility solutions.


China

China conducted the maiden flight of the Tianma 1000 uncrewed transport aircraft last Sunday from an airport in Shaanxi province. Developed by Xi’an Aisheng Technology Group, a subsidiary of Norinco, the aircraft is designed for operations in challenging environments, including plateaus, coastal regions, and mountainous areas.

💡The Tianma 1000 can reach altitudes of up to 8,000 meters, fly 1,800 km, and carry payloads of up to one tonne. It features a guided optical landing system that enables autonomous landings in low-visibility conditions

Japan-Dubai

Japan’s SkyDrive has reached a general agreement with Dubai-based AeroGulf Services for the sale of up to 20 eVTOL aircraft, with 10 units scheduled for delivery in 2028 and a further 10 in 2029. The framework includes pricing and delivery timelines and marks SkyDrive’s first detailed commercial arrangement with a customer outside Japan.

💡The deal follows a 2025 memorandum of understanding and demonstration flights over Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, part of SkyDrive’s plan for full-scale eVTOL commercialization by 2028.

Marine

Asia’s maritime sector is embracing digitalization, electrification, and AI-driven efficiency, from fractional investment platforms and electric vessels to wind-assisted propulsion and autonomous navigation. The industry is simultaneously pursuing sustainability, fleet modernization, and operational innovation.

Japan

Trading house Mitsui & Co is set to launch Japan’s first digital securities for fractional ownership of aircraft and ships, Nikkei reports. Through its subsidiary Mitsui & Co Digital Asset Management, which operates the online platform Alterna since 2023, the firm will allow investors to participate from as little as ¥100,000 ($630).

💡Mitsui plans to purchase aircraft and vessels, then distribute returns to investors based on charter revenue from these assets. Other firms offering similar tokenised investment in maritime and shipping assets include Antier, Bloklab, and Shipfinex.


Japan-Singapore

MOL PLUS, the investment arm of Mitsui OSK Lines, has taken a stake in Singapore-based electric vessel developer Pyxis Maritime, focusing on commercial deployment of electric harbour craft and charging infrastructure. Founded in 2022, Pyxis builds electric workboats and passenger vessels and operates charging networks and vessel management software. The investment aligns with Singapore’s 2030 rules requiring new harbour vessels to run on electricity, B100 biofuel, or other net-zero fuels.

💡The companies have already collaborated on exploring integrated vessel and charging solutions. Pyxis’ current offerings include Pyxis One, an electric harbour operations vessel, and Pyxis R, an all-electric passenger craft. MOL PLUS will also support business development and regional port electrification initiatives.

Singapore

Yangzijiang Maritime Development has placed orders for six new vessels, with options for ten more, as part of its ongoing maritime investment expansion. The Singapore-listed firm said the contracts, arranged with co-investors across three Chinese shipyards, include two handysize bulk carriers (≈40,000 dwt), two MR product tankers (≈49,800 dwt), and two LR2 tankers (≈114,000 dwt).

💡Deliveries are scheduled between April 2027 and September 2029, depending on vessel type. If all options are exercised, the company’s newbuilding pipeline would reach 50 ships. Currently, Yangzijiang Maritime’s portfolio includes two delivered vessels, 34 under construction, and 14 optional units.


South Korea

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), part of HD Hyundai, has begun sea trials of its Wing Sail wind-assisted propulsion system on HMM’s 50,000 dwt MR tanker, Oriental Aquamarine. The 30 m-high, 10 m-wide wing sail, designed to generate thrust through aerodynamic lift, passed onshore testing and structural inspections by the Korean Register before installation. Its tilting and folding capabilities allow safe operation in heavy weather or under bridges.

💡The trials aim to assess fuel efficiency, emissions reductions, and real-world performance under varying marine conditions. HD Hyundai estimates the system could cut fuel use by 5–20% depending on trading routes and weather. HMM will monitor performance over two years, with wider deployment across its bulk fleet considered if results meet expectations.

South Korea

South Korean shipping leader HMM has signed agreements with Avikus and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering to implement AI-driven autonomous navigation systems across its fleet. Initially, HMM plans to equip 40 vessels, with potential fleet-wide deployment depending on performance results. The collaboration includes joint research under a memorandum of understanding (MOU), leveraging operational data to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.

💡Under the agreement, HMM will provide operational data, HD Korea Shipbuilding will support vessel platforms, and Avikus will supply its HiNAS Control system, integrating perception, decision-making, and control functions. Avikus has already installed the technology on around 350 vessels, including over 100 retrofitted large ships.

Space

Asia is advancing its space ambitions across satellite networks, lunar exploration, and international cooperation, balancing technological innovation with regulatory and operational risks. From China’s Internet constellation and lunar timekeeping to India’s rocket failures and Japan’s collaborative space agreements, the region is shaping a multi-faceted, globally connected space ecosystem.

China

China has launched its 18th batch of Internet satellites into orbit using a Long March 8A rocket from Hainan, expanding its state-run satellite network to over 140 satellites. The growing constellation aims to provide global Internet coverage, supporting Beijing’s strategy to build an independent, comprehensive space-based communications infrastructure.

💡The expansion enhances China’s ability to deliver orbital Internet services, particularly to remote areas.

China

Chinese researchers have developed the world’s first lunar timekeeping software, designed to support precise navigation and landings on the Moon. The program, called LTE440 (Lunar Time Ephemeris), accounts for the Moon’s weaker gravity—which makes clocks tick about 56 millionths of a second faster per day—and its motion through space, allowing lunar events to be accurately synchronized with Earth time. The model is reportedly accurate to within tens of nanoseconds over 1,000 years.

💡Packaged as ready-to-use software, LTE440 simplifies lunar-Earth time comparisons without complex calculations. The team at Purple Mountain Observatory in Nanjing said the tool is an initial step toward real-time navigation and future lunar clock networks, anticipating that lunar timekeeping will become increasingly critical as Moon missions grow more frequent.

India

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C62) failed late last Sunday, resulting in the loss of a primary Earth observation satellite and 15 co-passenger spacecraft. The rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center at 11:48 p.m. Eastern (0448 UTC, Jan. 12), but six minutes into flight, during third-stage burn, it lost attitude control, tumbled, and deviated from its trajectory.

💡The lost payloads included India’s EOS-N1 hyperspectral imaging satellite, the Theos-2 Earth observation satellite (UK-Thailand), satellites from Dhruva Space, a diplomatic satellite for Nepal, five Brazilian AlltoSpace satellites, and the 25-kg Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID) from Spain’s Orbital Paradigm supported by ESA. The PSLV’s previous mission in May 2025 also failed due to a third-stage anomaly, affecting EOS-09. The incident may delay upcoming PSLV launches, including PSLV-C63 (TDS-01) and PSLV-N1 (EOS-10), and comes ahead of India’s 2026 uncrewed Gaganyaan missions carrying the humanoid robot Vyommitra.


Japan

Lunar exploration company ispace, Inc. has been selected to lead its “High Precision Landing Technology in the Lunar Polar Regions” project under the second phase of Japan’s Space Strategy Fund. The initiative, part of Mission 6 scheduled for 2029, will receive funding for up to five years, with a maximum ceiling of ¥20 billion, subject to stage-gate reviews.

💡The project will develop a lunar lander based on ispace’s Series 3 design to enable precise, stable landings near the Moon’s south pole, where water ice may be present, while supporting payload operations and deploying a relay satellite for communications. The technology will also inform future lunar missions, including landings in mid-latitude Lunar Pits and night-survival operations.

Japan-Italy

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are set to agree on cooperation to tackle space debris during a summit in Tokyo on Friday, Nikkei reports. The leaders will establish a space consultation framework to share technology for debris removal and promote the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space. The sessions will involve bureau directors and officials from relevant agencies, with the first technical talks expected in Japan by June.

💡The discussions are also expected to cover satellite operations, spacecraft launch technologies, support for Global South countries, disaster monitoring, and joint activities on the International Space Station. Japan and Italy already collaborate through a memorandum between JAXA and the Italian Space Agency and participate in the U.S.-led Artemis lunar program.


Japan-Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Space Agency has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Japanese government to promote the peaceful use of outer space. The agreement, concluded on the sidelines of the Saudi-Japan Ministerial Investment Forum, involved Japan’s Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, with Saudi Space Agency Chairman Abdullah Alswaha representing the Kingdom.

💡The memorandum aims to foster collaboration in space science and technology, capacity building, and the exchange of expertise. The Saudi Space Agency said the partnership strengthens international ties, supports research and innovation, and advances the Kingdom’s role in the global space ecosystem while promoting the peaceful use of outer space.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Your exclusive gateway to the latest developments across transportation and space, and most importantly, how to finance it all - debt, equity, and defi! We follow and forecast where the money’s at.

Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

Summary

Financing & Investments: Halogen Capital Raises $3.2M for Real-World Asset Tokenization in Malaysia; Galatek Secures $30M Series A to Expand AI-Driven Lab Automation; January Capital Closes $130M Growth Credit Fund for APAC Tech Firms; Crypto.com Partners with DBS to Enhance Fiat Payments in Singapore; Olea Global Raises $30M Series A for AI and Web3 Trade Finance Expansion; Aspire Gains Global Licenses to Scale Fintech Platform Across Key Markets; Swedfund Provides $20M Loan to Vietnam’s EVF for MSME and Climate Financing; and FPT Invests $100M to Launch Quantum AI and Cybersecurity Research Institute

Environmental Sustainability: China’s Jiaze Invests $490M in Green Hydrogen Alcohol Aviation Fuel Project; Kuva Space and WWF-Indonesia Partner to Monitor Blue Carbon Ecosystems; ANA and JAXA Deploy Sensors on Aircraft for Greenhouse Gas Tracking; IFC Supports Malaysia’s Paper Industry with $70M for Biomass Cogeneration; and Yinson Renewables Acquires Mt Cass Wind Farm in New Zealand

Aviation: Virgin Australia Flight Fire Prompts In-Flight Lithium Power Bank Ban; Adani Group Bids to Expand Airport Portfolio in India; South Korea Launches International Aviation Carbon Reduction Plan; Korean Air Cracks Down on Emergency Exit Tampering; Natilus and SpiceJet Partner on Blended-Wing Aircraft for India; and Vietjet Opens $100M Maintenance Facility at Long Thanh Airport

Advanced Air Mobility: Australia Eases Drone Rules Over Populated Areas; EHang Demonstrates EH216-F eVTOL for Firefighting in Qatar; Thailand Reviews EHang EH216-S Operations for Urban Air Mobility; Sino Jet Orders 50 AE200 eVTOLs to Expand 3D Transport Network; GIBO and Japan Benling Partner on AI-Enabled eVTOLs for Disaster Response; Quantified Energy Raises $6M to Scale Drone and AI Solar Inspections; and South Korea Validates Integrated Urban Air Mobility Operations with K-UAM Project

Marine: Japan’s Sage Sagittarius Bulk Carrier Sold for Scrap in Bangladesh; Singapore Launches First Decarbonization Hub for Electric Supply Vessels; Pyxis Secures $10M Funding to Expand Maritime Electrification in ASEAN; Samudera Shipping Expands into Japan via Blue Ocean Joint Venture; and South Korea Develops Floating Nuclear Platform for Small Modular Reactors

Space: China Launches Kuaizhou 11 Carrying DEAR 5 and Xiwang 5B; EU Offers Satellite Support to Monitor Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire; Indonesia’s Telkomsat Joins Space42 to Advance Direct-to-Device Services; Japan Aborts H3 Rocket Launch Over Launch Pad Anomaly; and Hokkaido Spaceport Partners with Sangikyo to Boost Commercial Operations

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Financing & Investments

Asia-Pacific fintech, AI, and digital asset sectors are attracting significant growth and expansion capital, with investments targeting tokenization, lab automation, trade finance, and cross-border payments; development finance and corporate investments in Vietnam and Malaysia emphasize long-term capital access, climate initiatives, and cutting-edge technology, reflecting a convergence of financial innovation and sustainable development.

Malaysia

Malaysia-based digital asset fund manager Halogen Capital Sdn Bhd has completed a $3.2 million funding round, led by Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad, with participation from 500 Global and other investors. Following the round, Kenanga holds a 14.9% stake, becoming the largest institutional shareholder.

💡The financing will support Halogen Capital’s Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization strategy, covering onshore unit trust funds, bonds, sukuk, private credit, and real estate, aimed at broadening access to investment opportunities traditionally limited to institutional and high-net-worth investors.


Singapore

Singapore-based automation and AI startup Galatek has raised approximately $30 million in Series A funding. Galatek provides AI-driven automation solutions for smart labs, diagnostics, NGS sequencing, drug development, synthetic biology, and advanced semiconductor packaging.

💡The capital will support the company’s development of products for life sciences and advanced semiconductor manufacturing, strengthen its global supply chain, and expand localized capabilities in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. The funding will also accelerate deployment of the company’s Abio software platform, which integrates ELN, LIMS, SDMS, and automation to streamline lab operations and data management.

Singapore

Singapore-based multi-strategy investment firm January Capital has completed the oversubscribed final close of its Growth Credit Fund, securing over $130 million in total commitments. The fund attracted a diverse range of institutional investors, including Japanese firms SBI Holdings and GMO Payment Gateway, global fund-of-funds platforms such as Orient Growth Ventures, Australia’s Australian Philanthropic Services Foundation, and earlier anchor investor DEG of the KfW Group.

💡The Growth Credit Fund provides growth-stage, sponsor-backed technology companies in the Asia-Pacific region with senior secured loans of $10–20 million, offering less-dilutive financing alternatives.

Singapore

Singapore-based Crypto.com has expanded its fiat payment capabilities through a partnership with DBS Bank, the country’s largest bank by assets. The collaboration allows Crypto.com users in Singapore to deposit and withdraw SGD and USD via additional banking channels and supports the creation of client money accounts for faster transfers through the Crypto.com App.

💡The move complements the company’s existing partnership with Standard Chartered Bank, providing wider banking infrastructure for local customers.

Singapore

Singapore-based digital trade finance platform Olea Global Pte Ltd has completed a $30 million Series A funding roundled by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), with participation from XDC Network, theDOCK, and existing shareholder SC Ventures. The capital will support the development of AI-driven analytics, Web3 readiness, embedded finance solutions, and expansion into high-growth markets.

💡The round follows a funding facility announced in November 2024, enabling Olea to scale its institutional-grade platform across over 70 trade corridors and deliver financing for more than $3 billion in global supplier and buyer transactions.


Singapore-Global

Singapore-headquartered fintech Aspire has secured a series of regulatory approvals supporting its global expansion across Australia, Europe, and the United States. The company obtained a full Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license in the European Union, and registered in the U.S. as a Money Services Business and with the SEC as a Registered Investment Adviser.

💡The milestones enable Aspire to offer its integrated financial platform—including multicurrency accounts, payments, cards, and spend services—to businesses across key international markets.


Sweden-Vietnam

Sweden-based development finance institution Swedfund is providing Vietnamese financial services firm EVF General Finance JSC with a loan of up to $20 million. The financing is aimed at expanding access to long-term capital for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Vietnam, where long-term financing remains limited despite rapid economic growth and rising energy demand. Portions of the loan are earmarked for climate-related projects and women-owned enterprises.

💡The investment forms part of a $40 million financing package arranged by Swedfund and OeEB. Around 40% of the proceeds are designated for renewable energy and climate mitigation initiatives, while 30% are targeted toward women-owned businesses. The loan is intended to support EVF’s efforts to scale lending to underfinanced MSMEs and promote sustainable economic development.

Vietnam

Vietnam’s FPT Corporation is investing $100 million to establish the Quantum AI and Cyber Security Research Institute (QACI), one of the first quantum-focused research centers created by a Vietnamese company. The institute will conduct research, develop AI and cybersecurity solutions, and train specialists, supporting the country’s drive for technological independence. The investment is part of FPT’s broader organization of five units, including UAVs, railway mobility technology, cybersecurity, and data platforms, aimed at advancing innovation across critical technology sectors.

💡FPT has appointed leadership to oversee each unit, including initiatives in quantum computing, AI, and low-altitude aviation.

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Environmental Sustainability

Sustainable aviation and energy projects are expanding across Asia-Pacific, from China’s green hydrogen SAF initiative to aircraft-based carbon monitoring in Japan; blue carbon and renewable energy investments in Indonesia, Malaysia, and New Zealand highlight a growing focus on nature-based solutions, circular economy practices, and clean electricity generation.

China

China-listed Jiaze New Energy announced that its subsidiary will invest approximately RMB 3.56 billion ($490 million) in a 300,000 metric tons per year green hydrogen alcohol aviation fuel co-production project in Jidong County, Jixi City, Heilongjiang Province. The project, developed by Heilongjiang Jiayi Rongyuan Green Chemical, a wholly owned unit of Jiaze’s holding company, will co-produce alcohol-based aviation fuels using green hydrogen, reflecting growing interest in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) alternatives.

💡Construction will be financed through a combination of internal capital and external funding, with phased deployment based on project progress.


Indonesia

Kuva Space and WWF-Indonesia have partnered to use hyperspectral satellites and AI to monitor mangrove and seagrass ecosystems, supporting Indonesia’s blue carbon initiatives. The collaboration maps restoration sites in East Nusa Tenggara and East Kalimantan, generating data for ecosystem health, carbon accounting, and sustainable financing.

💡By combining Kuva Space’s advanced spaceborne technology with WWF-Indonesia’s field experience, the project aims to enhance transparency, enable verified blue carbon credits, benefit local communities, and support Indonesia’s climate goals, including Nationally Determined Contributions and the FOLU Net Sink Strategy, while promoting the growth of the country’s blue economy.

Japan

ANA Holdings and Japan’s space agency, JAXA, are using sensors on commercial jets to enhance monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions. The equipment, tested since 2020, is now installed on a modified section of a Boeing 737 operated by ANA to track gases such as carbon dioxide, providing more detailed measurements than some satellites.

💡The airline and JAXA plan to equip another domestic aircraft with similar sensors, exploring potential commercial applications for the data.

Malaysia

The World Bank Group’s private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has partnered with Malaysia’s XSD International Paper Sdn Bhd to support sustainable growth in the country’s paper industry. IFC has provided a $70 million financing package, including a $28 million green loan, to fund XSD’s construction of a biomass cogeneration plant in Kulim, Kedah, and to expand production capacity. The new facility will enable the company to produce an additional 300,000 tons of coated duplex board and grey board annually, bringing total capacity to 800,000 tons.

💡IFC said the partnership will promote environmentally responsible manufacturing through the use of recycled materials and renewable energy, advancing Malaysia’s circular economy.

Malaysia-New Zealand

Malaysia-based Yinson Renewables has acquired the rights to the Mt Cass Wind Farm from MainPower New Zealand Limited. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with operations slated for 2028. The project will have a total installed capacity of 94.6 MW and is expected to generate over 300 GWh of electricity annually, enough to supply roughly 40,000 households.

💡This will be Yinson Renewables’ first wind farm under construction and its first in New Zealand.

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Aviation

Lithium battery fire risks are reshaping airline safety policies globally; India is rapidly expanding airport infrastructure to meet rising passenger demand; South Korea combines SAF adoption and fuel-efficient aircraft to cut aviation emissions; airlines are enforcing stricter passenger compliance rules; new aircraft designs and maintenance hubs indicate long-term modernization and sustainability trends in aviation.

Australia

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has confirmed that a lithium power bank caused a fire aboard Virgin Australia flight VA1528 from Sydney to Hobart. The device entered a “thermal runaway” state in an overhead bin, producing smoke and flames that were extinguished by cabin crew and passengers. The incident occurred shortly before landing, limiting the crew’s ability to fully execute standard lithium battery fire procedures.

💡Following the report, Virgin Australia, Qantas, and Jetstar have banned the use or charging of lithium power banks in-flight, aligning with global carriers including Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Thai Airways, and EVA Air.


India

The Adani Group plans to expand its airport portfolio by bidding for 11 government-owned airports, part of an $11 billion airport infrastructure initiative. The airports, including sites in Amritsar and Varanasi, are being offered for long-term private leasing. Adani Airports Holdings, currently managing seven airports and soon opening a new facility near Mumbai, intends to participate in all upcoming bids.

💡The expansion aligns with India’s broader aviation growth, as the government aims to increase the number of airports to 350–400 by 2047 amid rising passenger demand. Adani Group said it has no plans to enter the airline business, focusing instead on developing and operating airport infrastructure efficiently to capitalize on the sector’s growth.

South Korea

South Korea has launched its first plan to manage international aviation carbon emissions for 2026–2030, targeting a 10% reduction from projected levels by 2030. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in coordination with other government agencies, aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s CORSIA framework. Without interventions, international aviation emissions in South Korea are projected to rise from 23.3 million tons in 2025 to nearly 29.8 million tons by 2030. The plan aims to reduce this to 25.87 million tons through a combination of measures.

💡The reduction strategy includes mandating the use of at least 1% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from 2027, promoting eco-friendly aircraft with roughly 10% better fuel efficiency, and improving operational efficiency, such as reducing taxiing and waiting times. SAF, which can cut carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fuel, will account for 4% of the emissions reduction target, while fuel-efficient aircraft will deliver 5%.

South Korea

Korean Air has announced a zero-tolerance policy for passengers who tamper with aircraft emergency exits, warning that violators may face criminal charges. The airline cited a rise in such incidents, with 14 cases of exit tampering or attempted tampering reported over the past two years.

💡Under Korea’s Aviation Security Act, unauthorized interference with aircraft doors, exits, or onboard equipment is prohibited and can carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison. Korean Air said it will pursue criminal prosecution, seek compensation for damages, and impose travel bans on passengers who violate these rules.

USA-India

US aerospace start-up Natilus and Indian carrier SpiceJet have formed a partnership to introduce blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft in India. Under the agreement, Natilus will establish a subsidiary, Natilus Indian SpiceJet will support Natilus in obtaining certification from India’s aviation regulator with a potential order of 100 Horizon blended-wing aircraft once certification is achieved.

💡The Horizon passenger aircraft is designed to carry 240 passengers. Natilus is pursuing FAA Part 25 certification for Horizon and is also developing a cargo-only BWB aircraft, Kona. Horizon is expected to enter the market in the early 2030s; Natilus’ current commercial order book totals over 570 aircraft, valued at $8.7 billion.

Vietnam

Vietjet has marked two achievements at Long Thanh International Airport with the topping-out of its international-standard aircraft maintenance facility and the launch of its inaugural flight to the airport. The hangar project, part of the Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Centre, spans 8.4 hectares with an investment of $100 million and includes Hangars No. 3 and No. 4, designed to accommodate up to six narrow-body and two wide-body aircraft simultaneously.

💡Designed by UK-based Mace and France’s Apave, the facility features ultra-long-span steel structures meeting global aviation standards.

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Advanced Air Mobility

Global AAM adoption is accelerating with regulatory easing in Australia and real-world demonstrations in Qatar, Thailand, and South Korea; investment and partnerships are driving eVTOL commercialization for transport, emergency response, and infrastructure monitoring; AI and autonomous systems are central to enhancing operational safety, efficiency, and environmental mapping across multiple regions.

Australia

Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has updated exemptions for drone operations over populated areas. Operators and pilots with existing approvals to fly close to people or within another person’s safety zone may no longer need separate authorization for some flights over crowded areas. The measure applies to very small, small, and medium remotely piloted aircraft, while all other Part 101 rules and approved operational conditions remain in force.

💡CASA also announced a trial allowing chief remote pilot instructors to obtain a generic rating for medium drones, removing the need for separate flight tests for each aircraft model.


China-Qatar

EHang’s EH216-F eVTOL performed a firefighting and emergency rescue demonstration at Qatar National Day, invited by the Qatar Ministry of Interior. EHang said the demonstration contributes to technology validation, scenario testing, and ecosystem development for urban air mobility.

💡The operation is intended to support future integration of eVTOL services for passenger transport and emergency response in Qatar.


China-Thailand

A delegation from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) visited EHang’s EH216-S operational base in Shanghai to review autonomous eVTOL commercial operations. The visit included observation of the aircraft’s technology, safety procedures, and operational protocols.

💡The visit follows Thailand’s AAM sandbox program and ongoing EH216-S trial flights in Bangkok, including a previous flight with the CAAT Director General. EHang’s operational experience provides a reference model for potential development and commercialization of urban air mobility in Thailand.

Hong Kong-Mainland China

Business aviation company Sino Jet has signed a definitive contract to acquire 50 AE200 eVTOL aircraft from China-based Aerofugia. Announced at AERO Asia 2025, the agreement advances Sino Jet’s plan to integrate eVTOL aircraft into a three-dimensional transportation network, combining long-haul business aviation with short-haul low-altitude mobility.

💡The AE200 features a 230 km/h cruise speed and a 200 km operational radius. The partnership builds on a 2023 memorandum for 100 eVTOL aircraft inked between the two sides.


Malaysia-Japan

GIBO Holdings Ltd. has partnered with Japan Benling Zhushi Clubs Limited to develop crewed eVTOL aircraft with advanced AI for disaster response, search-and-rescue, geological exploration, and hazardous environments. The collaboration will combine GIBO’s AI computation and autonomous sensing with Japan Benling’s expertise in lightweight structures and electric propulsion, enabling real-time environmental mapping, thermal sensing, terrain analysis, and autonomous flight-path optimization.

💡The companies plan to expand development across Japan, Southeast Asia, and other international markets, working with emergency response and infrastructure agencies. GIBO is also advancing AI compute centers and a 30MW data facility in Malaysia, and partnering with Ricloud AI Inc. to extend AI cloud and sustainability applications under the SparkRWA Green Creator Framework.


Singapore

Asian Development Bank Ventures (ADB Ventures) and Beacon Venture Capital have joined the second close of Singapore-based Quantified Energy’s Series A round, bringing total funding to $6 million. The investment supports the expansion of QE’s drone- and AI-powered electroluminescence inspection technology, which detects hidden defects in solar modules to improve quality assurance and long-term performance. The funding builds on backing from Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India and reinforces institutional confidence in data-driven approaches to renewable energy finance.

💡QE’s technology, deployed across Asia and other regions, has inspected more than four million solar modules, including the world’s largest single-site electroluminescence inspection.

South Korea

The Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) has verified the integrated operational capabilities of private consortia through the K-UAM demonstration project on the Ara Waterway and Cheongna-Gyeyang section. The exercises tested urban air mobility (UAM) operations, traffic management, vertiport systems, and abnormal situation responses in real-world conditions.

💡The demonstration involved the K-UAM One Team (KT, Korean Air, Incheon International Airport Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai E&C) and the Dream Team (Korea Airports Corporation, Hanwha Systems), with support from the Air Force. Key achievements included functional inter-agency information sharing, stable 5G and traffic management system performance, and reliable autonomous navigation via multi-satellite, anti-jamming technology tested on an Optionally Piloted Personal Air Vehicle (OPPAV).

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Marine

Maritime electrification is accelerating in Singapore with new hubs, vessel deployments, and funding rounds driving decarbonization; regional shipping networks are consolidating, as seen in Samudera’s Japan expansion; South Korea is innovating with offshore nuclear solutions, while legacy vessels like Sage Sagittarius continue exiting the fleet, reflecting lifecycle turnover trends in global shipping.

Japan-Bangladesh

Nippon Yusen Kaisha’s post-panamax bulk carrier Sage Sagittarius, 25 years old, has been sold for scrap in Bangladesh at $430 per light displacement ton (ldt). The vessel gained notoriety in Australia over a decade ago after three crew members died under unusual circumstances.

💡In 2012, head chef Cesar Llanto disappeared off the coast of Cairns, and his body was never recovered. Chief engineer Hector Collado died two weeks later from head injuries sustained aboard the ship near Newcastle, while Kosaku Monji was crushed by a conveyor belt at Kudamatsu port in Japan. The ship’s captain, Venancio Salas, faced accusations of crew mistreatment, including physical assaults, as well as alleged involvement in firearms transactions.


Singapore

Yinson GreenTech’s marinEV has partnered with Toll Group to launch Singapore’s first decarbonization hub for electric supply vessels. The initiative will deploy marinEV’s Hydromover 2.0 over the next 12 months as part of Toll’s integrated electric logistics model, combining smart warehousing, coordinated trucking, and a digitally connected supply chain. Early modelling suggests the project could cut emissions by up to 80% per trip, demonstrating the potential of electrifying harbor craft operations at scale.

💡marinEV also signed a letter of intent with SG Shipping for two fully electric vessels to operate in Singapore.

Singapore

Maritime electrification startup Pyxis has secured S$13 million ($10.06 million) in the first close of its S$18 million ($13.94 million) growth funding round. The financing is supported by climate-tech, venture capital, and maritime strategic investors, including MOL PLUS, Shift4Good, Motion Ventures, and SG Growth Capital. The funding will support vessel production, expansion of Pyxis’ Electra energy management platform, and deployment of ultra-fast marine charging infrastructure across Singapore, Japan, and ASEAN markets.

💡Pyxis is increasing manufacturing capacity for its Pyxis One, R, and L series vessels and developing next-generation charging stations, including a 300 kW facility planned for early 2026. The company has received 17 vessel orders and is partnering with regional operators and government agencies to accelerate maritime electrification.

Singapore-Japan

Singapore-listed Samudera Shipping Line is expanding its presence in Japan through a joint venture with Imoto Corporation, part of the Imoto Lines Group. The new company, Blue Ocean Shipping, will be 51% owned by Samudera Japan and 49% by Imoto, focusing on coastal and regional shipping services. Operations will begin with two container vessels transferred from Imoto Lines, with plans to gradually expand the fleet. The venture is headquartered in Kobe and is expected to start operations in the first half of 2026.

💡The partnership combines Samudera’s regional liner and feeder expertise with Imoto Lines’ domestic network, which covers over 75% of Japan’s feeder market and 64 ports nationwide. The joint venture aims to capture growth opportunities in coastal trades and short-sea regional services, providing Samudera with a local Japanese platform that complements its broader North Asian and regional shipping network.

South Korea

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has developed a floating nuclear power platform, FSMR, capable of hosting multiple types of small modular reactors (SMRs). The design, approved in principle by ABS, accommodates two SMART 100 SMRs and integrates the reactor with offshore power-generation systems, including a multi-barrier containment structure. Its compartmentalized layout groups reactor and power systems by function, allowing different SMR types to be installed with minimal modification.

💡FSMRs can be assembled and tested onshore before offshore deployment, supporting faster construction schedules and versatile applications across diverse reactor configurations.

Space

China’s private space sector continues rapid growth with multi-payload experimental missions; international actors increasingly use satellites for conflict monitoring and verification; Southeast Asia is exploring integration of terrestrial and satellite 5G networks; Japan faces recurring launch system technical challenges while expanding regional commercial space infrastructure.

China

China successfully launched a Kuaizhou 11 carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Space Launch Center, deploying a privately developed experimental cargo spacecraft, DEAR 5, along with the Xiwang 5B satellite into their designated orbits. The launch was conducted by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, the state-owned manufacturer of the Kuaizhou rocket series, and marked another milestone for China’s expanding private space sector.

DEAR 5, developed by Beijing-based AZSpace, is the second spacecraft in the company’s B300-L series, featuring a service cabin and a payload capsule capable of carrying up to 300 kilograms. Positioned 343 kilometers above Earth, it hosts 34 scientific payloads from universities, research institutions, and private enterprises, supporting experiments in microgravity physics, life sciences, material science, and space technology.

💡The spacecraft also includes “mini space labs” for education and research, aiming to serve as a versatile orbital platform for scientists and commercial users for at least one year.


Europe-Cambodia-Thailand

The European Union has offered to provide satellite imagery to help monitor the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, urging both sides to immediately halt further escalation. Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, emphasized that the conflict must not be allowed to worsen and stressed the urgent need to restore the ceasefire.

💡Kallas highlighted that satellite imagery could provide independent, objective information to verify developments on the ground and reduce the risk of misunderstandings. She conveyed the EU’s offer during talks with the foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand, focusing on de-escalation and practical measures to support compliance with the ceasefire.


Indonesia

Indonesia’s PT Telkom Satelit Indonesia (Telkomsat) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Space42 to explore direct-to-device (D2D) services in partnership with the Equatys joint venture. Telkomsat is the first publicly announced satellite operator to join Equatys, which was launched by Viasat and Space42 to develop shared mobile satellite spectrum (MSS) infrastructure for non-terrestrial network (NTN) connectivity.

💡Under the agreement, Telkomsat and Space42 will assess technical, commercial, and regulatory collaboration opportunities, including licensing, spectrum coordination, R&D, and infrastructure alignment. The companies aim to enable seamless handover between terrestrial and satellite networks, set service benchmarks for latency, bandwidth, and reliability, and advance 5G NTN capabilities. Equatys plans to begin D2D services within three years using a mix of existing MSS satellites and future low-Earth orbit satellites.

Japan

Japan’s space agency, JAXA, canceled the launch of its eighth H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite from Tanegashima Space Center after an emergency shutdown occurred just before liftoff. The rocket automatically halted following an anomaly detected in the launch pad’s water-injection cooling system.

💡JAXA said the cause of the malfunction is under investigation and no date has been set for a rescheduled launch. The agency confirmed that neither the H3 rocket nor the Michibiki No. 5 satellite sustained any damage.

Japan

SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd., operator of Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO), has entered into a collaboration agreement with Sangikyo Corporation and Sangikyo EOS Corporation to support the spaceport’s commercial operations. The partnership leverages Sangikyo’s and Sangikyo EOS’s experience in managing ground stations for Japan’s primary launch vehicles, including support for jtSPACE’s VP01 suborbital rocket launch at HOSPO. Under the agreement, the companies will work together on developing a ground station network, applying their technical capabilities, and defining their roles in HOSPO’s operations phase.

💡HOSPO, developed in partnership with Taiki Town, aims to become a hub for high-frequency launches and foster a “Space Silicon Valley” by clustering space-related industries in Hokkaido. The agreement is intended to accelerate the spaceport’s operational readiness and contribute to the growth of Japan’s regional space industry.

**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**

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