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.
**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.**