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: 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.**