Beyond Horizons
Trailblazing Tales from Asia
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.**
Events
Asia-Pacific Space Events
November 2025
4–6 Nov 2025: Asia-Pacific Satellite and Space Community (APSCC 2025), Taipei Marriott Hotel, Taiwan – Market insights, partnership opportunities, and business deals for space professionals.
18–21 Nov 2025: Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-31), Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu, Philippines – Focus on regional policy, education, GNSS, and applications.
December 2025
9–11 Dec 2025: Airspace Asia Pacific 2025, Hong Kong, China – Addresses integration of space launches and satellite operations into urban airspace, fostering dialogue between airspace managers and space industry stakeholders.
Summary
Financing & Investments: Asialink Secures $75M Syndicated Loan to Boost MSME Financing; Microsoft, Enterprise Singapore, and NUS Enterprise Expand AI Startup Funding Program; Marketnode and Maybank Tokenize Money Market Fund on Blockchain; HSBC Launches $1.5B Innovation Banking Division in Singapore; and QAI Ventures Partners, Enterprise Singapore to Launch QuantumAI Accelerator and Venture Builder
Environmental Sustainability: Biesse Malaysia Partners with DHL to Cut Air Freight Emissions by 30%; Yinson Renewables Gets Green Light for 1 GW Wind Projects in New Zealand; Singapore Establishes SAFCo to Manage Sustainable Aviation Fuel at Changi and Seletar; HYDGEN Raises $5M to Expand Green Hydrogen Electrolyzer Technology; and Hyundai Breaks Ground on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Plant in Ulsan
Aviation: Australia Forms Bipartisan Parliamentary Friends of Aviation Group; Direct Flights Resume Between India and China After Five-Year Hiatus; ExecuJet Haite Gets Vietnam Approval for Business Jet Maintenance; and U.S. and Malaysia Agree on Boeing Deal and Strategic Trade Partnerships
Advanced Air Mobility: China’s Harbin United Aircraft Conducts First Flight of T1400 Uncrewed Helicopter; EHang Completes Autonomous EH216-S Passenger Flight in Urban Japan; HK Acquires $2.39M Stake in Archer Aviation; and Christchurch Airport Installs Liquid Hydrogen Tanks for Flight Testing
Marine: COOEC Signs $800M Offshore Contract with PTTEP in Thailand; Svitzer Partners with Cochin Shipyard to Build Electric Tugs in India; DP World and APM Terminals Announce $7B Investment to Expand Indian Ports; Japan Tests Land-Based Marine Hydrogen Engines; NYK Group to Merge Three Shipping Firms into NYK Bulkship Partners; and U-Ming Marine and Purus Form JV for Offshore Wind Expansion
Space: China Launches Youngest Astronaut to Tiangong Station with Mice in Tow; China-Malaysia Team Up to Bring IoT via Low-Earth Orbit Satellites; Japan’s HTV-X Freighter Delivers 9,000 Pounds to ISS; Leaf Space Taps Infostellar to Expand Ground Station Services in Japan; and Japan and NASA to Launch World’s First Wooden Satellite
Financing & Investments
Asia-Pacific is ramping up innovative financing and venture support. From syndicated loans boosting MSMEs and grants accelerating AI startups to tokenized money market funds, $1.5 billion innovation banking, and QuantumAI accelerators, the region is expanding access to capital and backing high-growth, technology-driven ventures.
Philippines
Asialink Group of Companies, a Philippine non-bank financial institution, has secured a $75 million syndicated term loan arranged by Standard Chartered Bank, marking both its first foreign loan and the country’s first social syndicated loan for a local NBFI.
The facility is aimed at expanding financing for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), addressing gaps in lending that remain below Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas targets. Asialink said the funding reflects global investor confidence and will allow it to increase its loan portfolio from ₱41.9 billion ($710 million) in June 2025 to ₱48.7 billion ($830 million) by year-end.
💡The syndicated structure, which includes regional and international banks such as Bank of China and Taichung Commercial Bank, provides Asialink with a larger and more stable capital base to scale operations nationwide. The group’s flagship, Asialink Finance Corporation, has already supported over 15,400 MSMEs in the first nine months of 2025, including more than 1,000 women-led businesses through its WAIS initiative
Singapore
Microsoft, Enterprise Singapore, and NUS Enterprise have launched a joint initiative to support up to 150 Singapore-based artificial intelligence startups with faster access to funding through the Startup SG Tech grant over the next three years. The partnership expands the existing AI Accelerate program, which helps founders refine and commercialize AI products through mentorship, technical guidance, and access to Microsoft’s Azure platform.
💡The enhanced program introduces a Go-To-Market module led by Microsoft experts to help startups achieve product-market fit and scale regionally and globally. Enterprise Singapore will work with Microsoft to streamline grant approvals for high-potential startups, while NUS Enterprise will provide incubation support via its BLOCK71 network.
Singapore
Marketnode has partnered with Maybank Asset Management Singapore to bring its Money Market Fund on-chain, advancing the tokenization of traditional financial products. BNP Paribas Securities Services will act as transfer agent, integrating blockchain technology into existing market infrastructure. Marketnode’s Gateway platform will provide the core tokenization framework, supporting multiple blockchain networks including Solana, Stellar, and XRP Ledger.
💡The collaboration aims to increase efficiency, transparency, and investor access to money market funds while paving the way for broader tokenized fund applications. The partners plan to extend the initiative to additional portfolios and explore on-chain collateral use cases.
Singapore
HSBC has launched its Innovation Banking division in Singapore to expand its support for the region’s technology and venture ecosystem. The bank has earmarked $1.5 billion to provide tailored financing solutions for high-growth companies, targeting startups and venture-backed businesses seeking to scale operations. The new offering, introduced during the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology, will connect clients to HSBC’s global network while providing sector-specific expertise and customized banking services.
💡The Singapore launch marks HSBC Innovation Banking’s third expansion in Asia-Pacific this year, following its rollout in other key regional markets.
Switzerland-Singapore
Switzerland-based QAI Ventures has partnered with Enterprise Singapore to launch a venture capital–backed accelerator and IP-driven venture builder focused on QuantumAI startups and advanced computing. The five-month accelerator will support early-stage founders with mentorship from quantum experts, investors, and industry leaders, culminating in a Demo Day for global investors. Applications open in late 2025, with the first cohort starting mid-2026.
💡QAI Ventures will also launch a Venture Building Program next year to commercialize research and IP, with plans to create seven new quantum ventures in Singapore by 2027.
Environmental Sustainability
Companies are stepping up decarbonization and green energy projects across Asia. From sustainable aviation fuel and wind farms to hydrogen production and fuel cell plants, the region is accelerating its transition to cleaner, low-emission technologies.
Malaysia
Biesse Malaysia, part of Italy’s Biesse Group, has partnered with DHL Express to use its GoGreen Plus service, which leverages sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to cut carbon emissions from air freight. The initiative is expected to reduce Biesse Malaysia’s inbound and outbound air transport emissions between Europe and Southeast Asia by about 30%, equivalent to roughly 15 tons of CO₂e savings annually.
💡Biesse said the collaboration reflects its commitment to decarbonizing supply chains and promoting wider SAF adoption.
Malaysia-New Zealand
Malaysia-based Yinson Renewables has secured approval from New Zealand’s Overseas Investment Office to advance its renewable energy projects in the country. The clearance allows the company to proceed with a development pipeline expected to total around 1 GW, primarily focused on wind energy. Yinson has been investing in New Zealand’s renewables sector for the past four years.
💡New Zealand officials said the investment supports the country’s target of doubling renewable energy generation by 2050.
Singapore
Singapore has established the Singapore Sustainable Aviation Fuel Company (SAFCo) to procure and manage SAF for Changi and Seletar airports, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced. Funded by a passenger levy approved by Parliament, SAFCo will blend SAF—mainly produced from waste materials such as used cooking oil—with conventional jet fuel. The government aims for SAF to account for 1% of all jet fuel by 2026, rising to 3–5% by 2030.
💡CAAS wholly owns SAFCo, with director-general Han Kok Juan as board chair, and has appointed Tan Seow Hui, former global head of marketing and sustainability at Shell’s low-carbon solutions division, as CEO. Early estimates suggest economy passengers could pay around $3 for short-haul, $6 for medium-haul, and $16 for long-haul flights, with rates adjusted for travel distance and class.
Singapore-India
HYDGEN, a Singapore- and India-based green hydrogen developer, has raised $5 million in a Pre-Series A funding round comprising equity and debt. The round was led by Transition Venture Capital, with participation from Cloudberry Pioneer Investments, Moringa Ventures, and strategic family offices from India and Singapore. The funding will support expansion of HYDGEN’s proprietary anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer technology, enabling on-site, ultra-pure hydrogen production for industrial users.
💡The capital will be used to upgrade HYDGEN’s Mangalore facility to a semi-automated assembly line and increase single-stack AEM capacity to 250 kW, reinforcing its position in industrial-scale electrolyzers. The company also plans to expand into Japan, Europe, and the Middle East while supporting commercialization of on-site hydrogen generation,
South Korea
Hyundai Motor Company has broken ground on a new hydrogen fuel cell production plant in Ulsan, South Korea, as part of its strategy to establish the country as a global leader in hydrogen mobility.
The KRW 930 billion facility, scheduled for completion in 2027, will occupy 43,000 square meters and produce 30,000 fuel cell units annually, including next-generation hydrogen fuel cells and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers for vehicles, construction equipment, and marine vessels.
💡The plant will incorporate advanced manufacturing technologies, including robotics and monitoring systems, to enhance efficiency and safety. Hyundai aims to leverage nearly three decades of fuel cell expertise, with 90% of electrolyzer components localized, to support both domestic and global markets. The groundbreaking also included a Memorandum of Understanding with KGM Commercial for fuel cell supply.
Aviation
Air connectivity and strategic partnerships are back on track. India-China flights resume, new business jet approvals are granted, and governments and companies are investing in modern, resilient, and greener aviation infrastructure.
Australia
Australia has launched a bipartisan Parliamentary Friends of Aviation group at Parliament House in Canberra, providing a forum for elected officials to engage with industry stakeholders. Transport Minister Catherine King emphasized the importance of cross-party collaboration in shaping a “modern, fair, and resilient aviation sector,” noting that aviation connects cities, regions, exporters, and families, and that its challenges and opportunities extend beyond election cycles.
💡The group’s formation follows the August 2024 Aviation White Paper, which outlined government priorities including improving passenger experience, upskilling the aviation workforce, supporting net-zero goals, enhancing regional connectivity, and fostering an efficient airline sector.
China-India
Direct flights between India and China has resumed after a five-year hiatus, signaling improved ties between the two most populous countries. IndiGo flight 6E 1703 departed Kolkata for Guangzhou with 176 passengers, while China Eastern Airlines is set to restart Shanghai–Delhi services on November 9 and IndiGo will launch Delhi–Guangzhou flights on November 10.
💡Flights were suspended in early 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic and rising border tensions following a deadly clash in the Himalayas. Recent diplomatic engagement, including high-level visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and agreements on military disengagement, have eased frictions.
China-Vietnam
China-based ExecuJet Haite Aviation Services has received approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) to perform line and heavy maintenance on locally-registered Dassault, Gulfstream, and Embraer business jets. The certification covers the company’s facilities at Tianjin Binhai International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport, allowing work on Dassault Falcon 7X/8X, Gulfstream G650/650ER, and Embraer Legacy 600/650 aircraft.
💡The approval also extends to engine maintenance, including Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307D and Rolls-Royce BR700-725A1 and AE3007 turbofans.
USA-ASEAN
As President Donald J. Trump met with Malaysian leaders in Kuala Lumpur, the U.S. and Malaysia agreed on the purchase of 30 Boeing aircraft, with an option for 30 more, alongside multi-year energy and semiconductor deals and a Memorandum of Understanding on critical minerals. The package aims to expand trade, strengthen supply chains, and boost maritime and space cooperation.
💡Trump also engaged with leaders from Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, overseeing the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, which eased border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia and included the release of detained Cambodian soldiers. The U.S. also finalized trade agreements with Cambodia and set frameworks with Thailand and Vietnam, while expanding security and defense cooperation, including joint exercises, military training, and collaboration on critical minerals and cybercrime.
Advanced Air Mobility
Next-gen air transport is taking off. Uncrewed helicopters, autonomous passenger flights, hydrogen fuel testing, and major investment in urban air mobility highlight the push toward cleaner, smarter, and more versatile aerial solutions.
China
China’s Harbin United Aircraft Technology Co., part of the United Aircraft Group, has successfully conducted the first flight of its T1400 uncrewed helicopter, advancing the country’s “tonne-class” low-altitude aviation capabilities. The T1400, with a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, completed hovering, route flight, and precision landing maneuvers during its maiden test in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. It can carry up to 650 kg, remain airborne for over eight hours, and operate in temperatures from –40°C to 55°C, with a service ceiling of 6,500 meters.
The UAV is designed for industrial applications across agriculture, logistics, and emergency response, initially targeting Heilongjiang’s farmlands, forests, lakes, and rivers, with plans for nationwide deployment.
💡The development aligns with China’s broader push to expand the low-altitude economy, a sector highlighted in the 2024 government work report and projected to reach 1.5 trillion yuan ($212 billion) by 2025 and 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
China
EHang has successfully completed an autonomous EH216-S passenger flight at Gotemba Premium Outlets in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, marking the first such operation in an urban commercial area in eastern Japan.
Conducted in partnership with Mitsubishi Estate, Mitsubishi Estate Simon, and AirX, the four-minute flight reached 36 km/h and an altitude of approximately 40 meters. The demonstration follows the May completion of the Gotemba Vertiport, developed to support future urban air mobility (UAM) services under Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism guidelines.
💡The EH216-S has now conducted demo flights in 17 Japanese cities, providing operational experience for future commercial services.
Hong Kong-USA
Hong Kong-based institutional investor HK acquired 220,141 shares of Archer Aviation (NYSE:ACHR) in the second quarter, valued at approximately $2.39 million, according to the company’s SEC filing. Other investors also adjusted their positions: Farther Finance Advisors increased its stake by 45.7% to 3,524 shares, Moody National Bank Trust Division added 1,211 shares to hold 169,345 shares worth $1.84 million, and Kestra Private Wealth Services, Integrated Wealth Concepts, and CWM LLC boosted their stakes by 8.7%, 11.1%, and 13.6%, respectively.
💡Institutional investors now own 59.34% of the company’s stock.
New Zealand
Christchurch Airport in New Zealand has installed liquid hydrogen fuel tanks in preparation for flight testing of hydrogen-electric aircraft. The infrastructure, unveiled by local company Fabrum, includes triple-skin composite tanks at a new test facility developed in partnership with Australian start-ups AMSL Aero and Stralis Aircraft. The tanks will store liquid hydrogen for AMSL Aero’s Vertiia aircraft and Stralis’s converted Beech Bonanza, supporting both tethered and powered flight tests.
💡Fabrum has conducted initial refuelling trials at the facility, part of Christchurch Airport’s renewable energy precinct. AMSL Aero plans to begin hydrogen-powered flights with Vertiia in the second half of 2026, while Stralis aims for its Bonanza prototype to fly on gaseous hydrogen in the first half of 2026 and on liquid hydrogen later that year.
Marine
Maritime innovation is surging, combining green propulsion, major port investments, offshore wind expansion, and high-tech fleet consolidation. Hydrogen engines, electric tugs, and multimillion-dollar infrastructure deals signal a greener, more efficient shipping future.
China-Thailand
China Offshore Oil Engineering Co. (COOEC), a subsidiary of NOOC, has signed an $800 million contract with Thailand’s PTTEP for the construction of a wellhead platform and subsea pipelines. The Bundled Phases 4 EPCI turnkey project, to be executed under a long-term agreement, will see offshore delivery between 2027 and 2029 through annual orders. COOEC’s responsibilities include design, procurement, construction, offshore transportation, installation, and commissioning.
💡This marks COOEC’s second offshore EPCI project for PTTEP, following the construction of four wellhead platforms for Myanmar’s Zawtika 1B gas field. The award comes shortly after COOEC secured a $4 billion EPC contract for QatarEnergy’s Bul Hanine offshore field, covering more than 60 offshore facilities and 40 subsea pipelines and cables.
Denmark-India
Svitzer has signed a letter of intent with Cochin Shipyard to develop and construct a new generation of electric tugs in India. The agreement, inked during India Maritime Week in Mumbai, marks a milestone in Svitzer’s “Make in India” ambitions and will see production of the electric TRAnsverse tugs at CSL’s facilities, supporting both the company’s global fleet renewal and India’s green port goals.
💡The collaboration aligns with India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, aiming to expand sustainable shipbuilding and port operations.
India
India’s push to become a global maritime hub received a boost as DP World and APM Terminals announced fresh investments exceeding $7 billion to expand port and logistics infrastructure. DP World will commit an additional $5 billion to its integrated supply chain and logistics network, supporting multimodal connectivity, green coastal shipping, ship repair, and automated low-emission port systems.
💡APM Terminals Pipavav plans a $2 billion expansion of its Gujarat port, enhancing container, liquid, and RoRo handling capacity, creating around 25,000 jobs, and strengthening connections with the dedicated freight corridor.
Japan
Japan has achieved a world first in decarbonizing shipping, as a consortium of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Yanmar Power Solutions, and Japan Engine Corporation successfully conducted the first land-based operation of marine hydrogen engines. The trial, held at Japan Engine’s factory, used a newly built liquefied hydrogen fuel supply system developed under the government-backed Green Innovation Fund, part of Japan’s $13 billion push to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
💡Kawasaki supplied the hydrogen system, and Yanmar achieved stable combustion in medium-speed four-stroke engines running entirely on hydrogen. Japan Engine is developing a low-speed two-stroke hydrogen engine for main propulsion, with operations planned for spring 2026. All engines are dual-fuel, capable of running on hydrogen or diesel, with land-based testing set to lead to onboard trials in collaboration with Japanese shipyards and owners.
Japan
Three shipping and shipmanagement companies within the Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) group — Asahi Shipping, Hachiuma Steamship, and Mitsubishi Ore Transport — will merge to form NYK Bulkship Partners on April 1 next year.
💡The new entity will operate 21 owned vessels and manage 90 others, under the leadership of Koichi Uragami, current president of Mitsubishi Ore Transport.
Taiwan-Singapore
Taiwan’s U-Ming Marine Offshore and Singapore-based Purus have formed a joint venture, UPO Holdings, to expand offshore wind operations in Taiwan and the region. The JV has ordered two 88-meter VARD 419 CSOVs, with deliveries beginning in 2027.
💡The vessels will feature all-electric walk-to-work systems, enhanced DP2 dynamic positioning, hybrid propulsion for lower emissions, and accommodation for up to 120 personnel.
Space
Space exploration is advancing fast. China flies its youngest astronaut with mice to Tiangong, China-Malaysia expand IoT via LEO satellites, Japan boosts ISS cargo and ground services, and the world’s first wooden satellite points to greener space operations.
China
China launched its Shenzhou-21 mission from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, sending a crew including the country’s youngest astronaut, Wu Fei, to its permanently inhabited Tiangong space station. The mission, the seventh since the station’s completion in 2022, continues China’s routine six-month rotations of astronaut trios, replacing veteran crew members with younger astronauts. First-timers Zhang Hongzhang, 39, and Wu Fei, 32, were selected in 2020.
💡The Shenzhou-21 flight also carries four black mice, the first small mammals onboard Tiangong, for reproduction experiments in microgravity.
China-Malaysia
MEASAT Global Berhad has entered a strategic alliance with Beijing Guodian High-Tech Technology and StarWin Science & Technology to deliver Internet of Things (IoT) services in Malaysia via the Tianqi Low Earth Orbit satellite constellation. Under the agreement, MEASAT will act as the authorized service provider, leveraging its local market expertise, while Guodian Gaoke provides the LEO satellite network and StarWin supplies certified ground terminals.
💡The Tianqi Constellation, currently comprising 38 satellites, will provide narrowband IoT connectivity across industries and remote regions, enhancing economic productivity and access to digital services.
Japan
Japan’s new HTV-X cargo spacecraft arrived at the International Space Station for the first time, delivering roughly 9,000 pounds of supplies to astronauts. The robotic freighter was captured by the station’s Canadarm2, operated by NASA astronaut Zena Cardman and JAXA’s Kimiya Yui, as the ISS orbited 260 miles above the South Atlantic.
💡HTV-X, the successor to Japan’s H-II Transfer Vehicle, can carry about 13,200 pounds to low Earth orbit and remains on-orbit for up to 1.5 years post-departure for demonstrations before reentry. The expendable spacecraft complements other ISS cargo vehicles, including Russia’s Progress, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus, and SpaceX’s reusable Dragon, enhancing Japan’s long-term orbital transport capabilities.
Japan-Italy
Leaf Space and Infostellar have entered a partnership granting Infostellar exclusive representation of Leaf Space’s ground segment-as-a-service (GSaaS) in Japan. Infostellar will lead business development, marketing, and customer engagement with Japanese satellite operators, using its local market expertise to promote Leaf Space’s offerings.
💡The Italian company operates a global network of 36 ground stations across 19 locations and ranks as the world’s second-largest GSaaS provider by connectivity minutes. Under the agreement, Leaf Space will integrate its assets with Infostellar’s StellarStation platform, enabling satellite operators to access services through a virtualized interface while establishing joint targets for uptime, scheduling, and service levels.
Japan-USA
Japan and NASA are collaborating to launch LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite, into orbit, marking a step toward eco-friendly space exploration. Unlike traditional aluminum satellites, which release harmful particles during re-entry, LignoSat is designed to burn completely, leaving no trace.
💡Kyoto University researchers selected magnolia wood for its strength and resilience in low-Earth orbit. The satellite also addresses space debris concerns, as instruments can be contained within its wooden structure, reducing the risk of detachment. LignoSat highlights efforts to make satellite operations more sustainable amid growing concerns over orbital congestion and environmental impact.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**
The NYK Bulkship Partners consolidation makes a lot of sense given the overcapacity in dry bulk markets. Bringing Mitsubishi Ore Transport, Asahi Shipping, and Hachiuma under one umbrella should streamline operations and cut costs across those 90 managed vessels. Also interesting to see Mitsubishi Estate backing EHang's urban air mobility push in Japan, seems like they're positioning early for when regulaions catch up. This kind of cross-sector diversification from traditional real estate into future transport infrastructure is pretty forward thinking.