Asset Finance & Alternatives in APAC & Beyond

Aviation Finance, Alt Asset Finance in APAC & Beyond

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.

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

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Summary

Financing & Investments: NextDC Secures $2.3B Debt Financing; Lynas and JS Link Partner on Rare Earth Magnet Plant; PingPong Gains Singapore FX Derivatives Approval; Singapore Proposes Faster Fund Approval Framework; Qashier Raises $6.1M Series A+ Funding; ESR and Mitsubishi Develop Jakarta Industrial Facilities; LG Innotek Plans $1B Vietnam Packaging Plant; and Thailand Approves $2B Investment Projects

Environmental Sustainability: Vena Energy Secures $1.4B Green Financing; Hong Kong Launches Carbon Market Platform; Bali Selected for Waste-to-Energy Project; Timah Partners Targets Waste Services Sector; Singapore-Indonesia Advance Clean Power Trade; and Vietnam Port Earns Smart Green Recognition

Aviation: Embraer Expands India Aircraft Certification; ASEAN-China Boosts Air Connectivity Cooperation; Pertamina and Boeing Develop SAF Partnership; India Expands Regional Aviation Program; Typhoon Bavi Disrupts East Asian Flights; and Vietjet Eyes Australian Domestic Market

Advanced Air Mobility: Skyportz Maps Shenzhen Vertiport Demand; DJI Tests High-Altitude Drone Operations; SkyDrive Explores Japan eVTOL Operations; and Merlin Labs Targets Autonomous Flight Launch

Marine: SeaBird Wins India Seismic Survey Contract; PIL Launches LNG Dual-Fuel Fleet Renewal; Marco Polo Expands Offshore Wind Vessel Operations; HD Hyundai Develops AI Shipping Optimization; and Los Angeles, Shenzhen Strengthen Port Cooperation

Space: China Achieves Reusable Rocket Recovery Milestone; Tianwen-2 Begins Asteroid Exploration Mission; Japan Tests Reusable Rocket Prototype; Japan and Singapore Expand Space Cooperation; and South Korea Launches Agricultural Observation Satellite

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Financing & Investments

Australia and Southeast Asia saw continued capital deployment across digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, fintech, logistics and energy, with major investments focused on scaling data centers, semiconductor supply chains, industrial capacity and financial market access.

Australia

Australian data center developer NextDC has secured an additional AU$500 million in senior debt facilities, increasing the total size of the new financing to AU$2.3 billion after announcing AU$1.8 billion in commitments earlier. The company said total available senior debt facilities will increase to AU$8.7 billion upon financial close, with proceeds to fund capital expenditure, data center developments and general corporate purposes.

💡The financing follows a 250 MW increase in contracted utilization to 667 MW in the latest quarter. The facilities are expected to close in mid-July.

Australia, South Korea & Malaysia

Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths and South Korea’s JS Link will jointly develop a rare earth permanent magnet factory in Kuantan, Malaysia, under a long-term partnership agreement. The facility will have annual production capacity of 3,000 tonnes of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) permanent magnets and is expected to create up to 400 jobs.

💡Lynas will invest about A$50 million in JS Link and supply rare earth materials to its South Korean and Malaysian magnet facilities under an exclusive supply agreement through 2038. The partnership aims to expand rare earth magnet supply chains outside China for automotive, wind energy and electronics industries.

China-Singapore

Chinese cross-border payment provider PingPong has received in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore for a Capital Markets Services license. Once issued, the license will allow PingPong’s subsidiary Mana Markets (SG) to offer eligible Singapore-based clients over-the-counter foreign exchange derivatives products.

💡The approval will expand PingPong’s existing payment services in Singapore by enabling clients to hedge against foreign exchange volatility. The company operates in Singapore through its licensed Major Payment Institution, Mana Payment (Singapore).

Singapore

The Monetary Authority of Singapore has proposed changes to its Code on Collective Investment Schemes to speed up the approval of new retail fund products while maintaining investor protection. The proposals include a new Alternative Funds Appendix to provide a regulatory framework for innovative fund structures, with tailored safeguards and disclosure requirements, while retaining existing standards covering areas such as asset safeguarding, liquidity management, governance and fair dealing.

💡The regulator said it expects to take about three months to establish safeguards for most new categories of fund products, after which similar funds meeting the requirements could be approved within three weeks. The measures are intended to support product innovation, broaden investor choice and provide greater regulatory clarity for fund managers, with the consultation seeking feedback from industry participants and other stakeholders.

Singapore

Singapore-based fintech Qashier has raised $6.125 million in a Series A+ funding round, comprising equity and debt, to expand its merchant operating system and product offerings across Southeast Asia.

💡The company said the funding will support growth initiatives, including payment capabilities, embedded financial services and artificial intelligence-driven tools. It will also focus on serving larger multi-outlet businesses and preparing for a future Series B funding round.

Singapore-Indonesia

Singapore-based real asset manager ESR and Mitsubishi Corporation subsidiary PT MC Urban Development Indonesia have agreed to jointly develop two logistics and industrial facilities in Greater Jakarta with a combined expected asset value of more than $80 million. The Grade A facilities in Karawang and Cikarang are scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2027.

💡The projects will add more than 111,000 square meters of leasable space across the two industrial hubs and will target logistics, manufacturing and e-commerce tenants. The developments will include sustainability features, modern safety standards and designs aligned with institutional-grade requirements.

South Korea-Vietnam

LG Innotek will begin construction of a $1 billion semiconductor substrate packaging plant in Hai Phong, Vietnam, in the third quarter of 2026. The facility, located in the Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Zone, will produce RF-SiP, FC-CSP and FC-BGA semiconductor substrates, with trial operations expected in the third quarter of 2027 and mass production targeted for the third quarter of 2028.

💡The plant will serve as LG Innotek’s production base for general-purpose semiconductor substrates, while its South Korean Gumi facility focuses on advanced technology development and high-value products. The expansion comes as demand rises for semiconductor packaging solutions used in 5G, AI and advanced computing applications.

Thailand

Thailand approved nine investment projects worth a combined $1.99 billion covering artificial intelligence, advanced electronics, aviation, renewable energy and food production, the Board of Investment said. The approvals include investments by Japan’s Datasection, South Korea’s Doosan Electro-Materials, Taiwan Union Technology, Switzerland’s Nestlé, Thai Airways International and Lomrak Green Energy.

💡Nestlé will invest $688.7 million to expand coffee production, while Thai Airways received approval for $430.2 million to lease eight passenger aircraft. Datasection will invest $235.2 million in GPU server infrastructure, and Lomrak Green Energy will develop two wind power projects with a combined capacity of 120 MW.

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Environmental Sustainability

Sustainability investment across Asia-Pacific is increasingly focused on scaling renewable energy, carbon market infrastructure, waste management solutions and cross-border clean power systems, with governments and investors building platforms to support long-term decarbonization goals.

Australia

Vena Energy has secured about A$1.4 billion in green financing for solar and battery storage assets across Australia. The financing covers operational and under-construction projects in South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, including solar capacity and battery systems.

💡The assets are expected to supply renewable power to about 198,000 households and avoid more than 1 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The financing supports Vena Energy’s expansion of integrated solar and storage infrastructure as Australia increases renewable energy capacity.

Hong Kong and Mainland China

The Global Carbon Council (GCC) has signed a strategic partnership with CGS International Holdings and Verdana HK to establish a Hong Kong-based carbon register and carbon finance platform for GCC-approved projects in China and the Hong Kong region. The initiative aims to strengthen carbon market infrastructure, improve access to climate finance and support future implementation of Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.

💡Under the agreement, GCC will provide its carbon standard, governance framework and digital carbon market infrastructure, while CGS International will support investor engagement and fundraising. Verdana HK will operate the carbon register and related services, including project onboarding, carbon credit transactions and registry management.

Indonesia

State investment agency Danantara Indonesia has selected Bali as the first site for a waste-to-energy plant as it expands investments in sustainable infrastructure and clean energy. The project will use moving grate incinerator technology and is designed to meet European emissions standards through a multi-stage air pollution control system, with the facility expected to reduce emissions from waste disposal and support Indonesia’s efforts to improve waste management.

💡The project includes a power purchase agreement with state utility PT PLN to supply electricity to the national grid. Danantara said permitting, site preparation and development work are underway, with the first batch of waste-to-energy projects designated as National Strategic Projects.

Singapore

Singapore-based Timah Partners has launched a platform to invest in specialized waste management companies, starting with an agreement to acquire an unnamed operator. The platform will focus on essential environmental services including waste collection, sanitation, drainage and related maintenance businesses.

💡Timah said the sector is largely made up of small operators, many of which face ownership transition issues as founders retire. The company plans to build a long-term portfolio of businesses in the sector, providing capital and operational support to expand their operations.

Singapore-Indonesia

Singapore and Indonesia are exploring cooperation on the offtake of imported low-carbon electricity as both countries seek to expand cross-border electricity trade. Indonesia’s Danantara Indonesia, through Danantara Investment Management, has signed memoranda of understanding with Keppel Electric and Sembcorp Utilities to assess potential electricity supply arrangements.

💡Danantara also signed an agreement with Singapore Energy Interconnections to support information-sharing on cross-border interconnector development. The two countries aim to advance projects totaling 3.4 GW or more by 2035, supported by regulatory frameworks and a cross-border renewable energy certificate framework.

Vietnam

Long An International Port in Vietnam’s southern province of Tây Ninh has received Frost & Sullivan’s “Smart Green Port Company of the Year 2026” award, becoming the first Vietnamese company to win the recognition under the Asia-Pacific Best Practices Awards. The award highlights the port’s digital transformation and sustainability efforts.

💡The company has integrated port operations through digital platforms including SAP S/4HANA, a Terminal Operating System, E-Port and a Warehouse Management System. It has also deployed green initiatives such as solar power systems, electric cargo-handling equipment and energy-saving technologies.

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Aviation

Asia-Pacific aviation developments are centered on expanding regional connectivity, improving fleet access, advancing sustainable aviation fuels and upgrading infrastructure, while weather disruptions highlight ongoing operational risks across the sector.

Brazil-India

Brazil’s Embraer has received type certification from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation for its E190, E195 and E195-E2 aircraft variants, expanding the manufacturer’s presence in the Indian market. The E175 variant was previously certified and is already operated by Indian regional carrier Star Air.

💡The certification allows Indian airlines to operate additional Embraer E-Jets models, including the E195-E2, which the company positions as a fuel-efficient small narrowbody aircraft. Embraer said it has nearly 50 aircraft across commercial, defense and business aviation sectors currently operating in India.

Indonesia

Indonesia has pledged to strengthen air connectivity between ASEAN and China to support regional trade, tourism and aviation growth. The commitment was made during the 17th ASEAN-China Working Group on Regional Air Services Arrangements meeting held in Yogyakarta.

💡The meeting discussed measures to improve air transport cooperation, including cargo services, airport slot allocation, aviation safety, visa processes and maintenance support. Participants also agreed on measures including reactivating Makassar as a point under the ASEAN-China Air Transport Agreement and expanding cargo connectivity through additional Chinese hubs.

Indonesia-USA

Indonesia’s Pertamina and Boeing have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) ecosystem in Indonesia as part of efforts to reduce aviation emissions. The partnership will focus on identifying feedstock sources, advancing SAF technologies and supporting policies for wider adoption.

💡The companies said the collaboration aims to support Indonesia’s transition toward net-zero emissions and develop a competitive SAF industry. Pertamina has already launched SAF initiatives, including production and certification efforts and the development of a biorefinery project using waste-based feedstocks.

India

India has launched the next phase of its regional connectivity program, UDAN, with a new 10-year plan aimed at expanding aviation access and infrastructure. The modified UDAN scheme carries an investment outlay of about ₹29,000 crore and includes development of 100 aerodromes, 200 helipads, regional airport support and viability funding for airlines.

💡Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated a new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport, built at a cost of ₹480 crore. The facility can handle 1,500 passengers during peak hours and 20 lakh passengers annually, with the government saying the upgrades will support tourism, trade and regional economic growth.

East Asia

Typhoon Bavi is moving across East Asia, prompting flight cancellations, evacuations and emergency preparations in Japan, Taiwan and China. The storm is expected to pass near Japan’s Sakishima Islands in Okinawa Prefecture with strong winds and heavy rainfall, while nearly 900 buildings in Okinawa have reported power outages.

💡Taiwan has evacuated more than 2,000 residents and placed military personnel on standby as the storm threatens heavy rain and flooding. Bavi is forecast to reach eastern China near Wenzhou after passing Japan and Taiwan, with authorities preparing for strong winds and rainfall.

Vietnam

Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet has applied for approval to launch domestic operations in Australia, according to local media reports. The airline has reportedly sought an air operator’s certificate and permission to establish a local business, with plans to base up to 10 Boeing 737 aircraft in Australia.

💡If approved, Vietjet would become the first international airline in nearly two decades to establish a domestic Australian operation. The carrier currently operates international flights between Vietnam and Australian cities including Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.

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Advanced Air Mobility

Advanced air mobility developments are shifting from technology trials toward infrastructure planning, operational partnerships and certification pathways, with companies targeting commercial eVTOL services, autonomous aviation and specialized drone applications.

Australia-China

Australia-based Skyportz’s Aeroberm unit has released a market study on vertiport infrastructure opportunities in Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area as the region expands its low-altitude economy initiatives. The report was unveiled at LEAP East 2026 in Hong Kong, amid increasing eVTOL activity and trial programs in the region.

💡The study forecasts demand for 500–1,000 modular passenger vertipads in Shenzhen by 2030, growing to up to 8,000 by 2045. While Shenzhen has developed more than 1,200 low-altitude takeoff and landing sites, most currently support drone operations. Skyportz said purpose-built passenger vertiports will be required to enable future eVTOL air taxi services.

China

DJI has completed high-altitude drone trials on Mount Qomolangma (Mount Everest), testing its FlyCart 100 delivery drone, Matrice 4E mapping drone and newly released EV50 eVTOL platform for logistics, glacier mapping and atmospheric research. The FlyCart 100 transported supplies and waste between Base Camp and Camp 1 on Nepal’s South Slope, carrying payloads of up to 47 kg at altitudes exceeding 6,300 meters.

💡The Matrice 4E mapped more than 3 square kilometers of the Khumbu Icefall at an altitude of 6,450 meters to support route planning and hazard monitoring, while the EV50 conducted atmospheric research flights on the mountain’s North Slope in China. DJI said the tests aim to expand drone applications in high-altitude logistics, safety operations and climate research.

Japan

SkyDrive has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan Biz Aviation (JBZ) to explore operational frameworks for its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Japan. Under the agreement, the companies will discuss aircraft ownership and operating models, the roles of SkyDrive, JBZ and aircraft buyers, as well as a roadmap for commercial service launch.

💡SkyDrive said the partnership aims to support customers that purchase its aircraft but do not hold air operator certificates by leveraging JBZ’s aircraft operations and maintenance experience.

USA-New Zealand

Merlin Labs plans to begin commercial autonomous flight operations in 2027 from its test facility in New Zealand, as the company works toward certification in New Zealand and the United States. The company aims to become the first operator of traditionally crewed fixed-wing aircraft to conduct autonomous commercial revenue flights.

💡Merlin said it has completed hundreds of autonomous test flights using its AI-powered Merlin Pilot system and is advancing through certification with New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. The company is developing the technology as a multi-aircraft platform for commercial and defense applications.

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Marine

Marine sector activity is focused on fleet modernization, digital optimization and lower-emission operations, with shipping companies and ports investing in cleaner vessels, AI-driven efficiency tools and offshore wind support infrastructure.

Cyprus-India

SeaBird Exploration, a subsidiary of SED Energy Holdings, has secured a contract for a 2D seismic survey offshore India.The company will deploy Eagle Explorer for the project, with mobilization expected in mid-July and vessel utilization extending through the first half of 2027.

💡The contract strengthens SeaBird’s presence in the Indian market and adds visibility to its 2027 backlog.

Singapore

Singapore-based ocean carrier Pacific International Lines (PIL) has named its two new 13,000 TEU container vessels, Kota Elok and Kota Elan, marking the first deliveries under its fleet renewal program for a 13-ship series of ultra-large neo-Panamax vessels. The ships will be deployed on PIL’s Asia-South America trade route.

💡The vessels are equipped with LNG dual-fuel propulsion systems and digital monitoring technologies, including IoT sensors and AI-based analytics, to improve fuel efficiency and operational performance. PIL said the new ships support its fleet modernization strategy and efforts to reduce emissions as it targets net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Singapore

Singapore’s Marco Polo Marine has signed a framework agreement with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy to deploy two commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) for offshore wind projects in the Asia-Pacific region. The agreement, through Marco Polo’s PKR Offshore subsidiary, will initially cover projects in Taiwan, with potential opportunities in Japan and South Korea.

The vessels are scheduled to begin operations from 2029, with provisions for an earlier start and contract extensions. They will feature Siemens Energy’s BlueDrive PlusC hybrid propulsion technology. Marco Polo Marine currently operates the CSOV MP Wind Archer in Taiwan and is building a second vessel at its Batam shipyard, targeted for delivery in 2028.

South Korea & Japan

South Korea’s HD Hyundai Marine Solution has partnered with Japan’s Weathernews to commercialize an AI-powered shipping route optimization solution. The integrated platform combines Weathernews’ meteorological data with AI technology to optimize vessel routes and has shown potential to reduce fuel consumption by at least 3% in pilot projects.

💡The companies plan to deploy the solution across about 8,000 vessels currently using their services and jointly market it to global customers. HD Hyundai Marine Solution said the system can be applied to existing vessels without additional hardware or software installations.

USA-China

The Port of Los Angeles has signed a memorandum of understanding with Shenzhen Port Group and Yantian International Container Terminals to expand cooperation on port operations, green technologies and supply chain development. The agreement formalizes a sister port relationship with Shenzhen, one of the world’s largest port hubs.

💡The partnership will focus on technical exchanges, clean energy initiatives, logistics optimization and maritime innovation. The Port of Los Angeles said the agreement supports broader efforts to advance lower-emission shipping and strengthen global supply chain resilience.

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Space

Marine sector activity is focused on fleet modernization, digital optimization and lower-emission operations, with shipping companies and ports investing in cleaner vessels, AI-driven efficiency tools and offshore wind support infrastructure.

China

China has successfully recovered a rocket booster during an orbital launch for the first time, with the Long March 10B’s first stage landing on a sea-based recovery platform using a net system. The mission, launched from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site, also successfully placed a satellite into orbit and marked a milestone in China’s development of reusable launch technology.

💡The Long March 10B is designed to carry up to 16 tonnes of payload to low Earth orbit in reusable configuration. China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation said the recovered booster is planned for reuse by the end of the year as China seeks to reduce launch costs and expand its commercial space capabilities.

China

China’s Tianwen-2 probe has reached a position about 20 kilometers from asteroid 2016HO3, beginning scientific exploration after traveling about 1 billion kilometers over roughly 400 days, the China National Space Administration said. The mission is China’s first asteroid sample-return project and aims to collect material from 2016HO3 before later exploring the main-belt comet 311P.

💡The probe has captured images of the asteroid and used navigation data to improve its position accuracy ahead of further observations. Tianwen-2 is equipped with multiple scientific instruments and a sampling system designed for different surface conditions, with sample collection planned after detailed studies of the asteroid’s structure and composition.

Japan

Japan’s space agency has successfully tested a prototype reusable rocket in Akita Prefecture as part of efforts to develop lower-cost launch technology. The RV-X rocket completed a 40-second flight, reaching a maximum altitude of about 11 meters before landing successfully.

💡The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will use data from the test to support development of the Callisto reusable vehicle with France and Germany. Japan is pursuing reusable rocket technology to reduce launch costs and increase satellite deployment capacity.

Japan-Singapore

Japan and Singapore have signed a space cooperation agreement to expand collaboration in areas including quantum satellite communications and other advanced space technologies. The agreement, signed between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Singapore’s National Space Agency, marks the first bilateral space agreement for the newly established agency.

💡The pact establishes a framework for information sharing and joint initiatives, with Singapore becoming the third international partner in JAXA’s Co-funded Business Promotion Framework. The agreement builds on existing cooperation in satellite launches, space education and disaster monitoring.

South Korea

South Korea’s next-generation medium-sized satellite No. 4 (CAS500-4) has completed initial communication checks after launch and entered its target sun-synchronous orbit. The satellite was launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in the United States.

💡The CAS500-4 is South Korea’s first dedicated agricultural and forestry observation satellite and will monitor crop conditions and forest resources using a wide-area observation camera. The satellite will undergo an initial operational phase before beginning full mission operations in the first half of 2027.

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

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