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: China’s mBridge Digital Yuan Platform Hits $55B; China Probes Battery Maker Ningbo Ronbay Over Contract Claims; Shanghai Robotics Firm AgiBot Opens Malaysia AI Centre; Thailand Greenlights $3.1B in Data Centers; Singapore’s OMOWAY Raises Millions for Electric Motorcycles; Singapore Robotics Firm Botsync Expands AI Automation; and Singapore Digital Finance Platform Atome Secures $345M Debt Facility
Environmental Sustainability: LONGi Hydrogen Energy Ships 5MW Electrolyzer to Europe; Germany’s osapiens Raises $100M, Achieves Unicorn Status; Microsoft Partners with Varaha for 2M-Tonne Carbon Removal in India; Singapore-South Korea JV Backs $300M Hydrogen Mobility Expansion; IFC Invests $100M in Thailand’s KBank Green Bond; and Vietnam’s HDBank Completes $100M International Green Bond Program
Aviation: Coulson Aviation Sues Columbia Over South Korea Firefighting Contract; China’s J&T and SF Holding Seal $1B Cross-Shareholding Deal; EASA Pilots Conduct Test Flights of COMAC C919 in Shanghai; GIBO Expands AI Aviation Platform for Industrial and ESG Analytics; Wreckage of Missing Indonesian ATR 42-500 Located Amid Mountain Search; Thailand to Scrap Aircraft Age Limits, Shift to Airworthiness Standards; and Viasat to Launch Iris Test Facility in Singapore for Air Traffic Optimization
Advanced Air Mobility: China Commissions First Police eVTOL in Guangzhou; Xpeng’s Aridge eVTOL Prepares Hong Kong IPO; China Conducts Maiden Flight of Tianma 1000 Uncrewed Transport Aircraft; and Japan’s SkyDrive Signs Deal to Sell 20 eVTOLs to Dubai
Marine: Mitsui Launches Japan’s First Fractional Aircraft and Ship Securities; MOL PLUS Invests in Singapore Electric Vessel Developer Pyxis; Yangzijiang Orders Six New Vessels with Options for Ten More; HD KSOE Begins Wing Sail Trials on HMM MR Tanker; and HMM Partners with Avikus and HD KSOE to Deploy AI Navigation
Space: China Expands Satellite Network with 18th Internet Launch; Chinese Researchers Develop World’s First Lunar Timekeeping Software; India’s PSLV-C62 Rocket Fails, Losing 16 Satellites; Japan’s ispace Selected for Lunar Polar Landing Project; Japan and Italy to Cooperate on Space Debris; and Japan Signs Space Partnership with Saudi Arabia
Financing & Investments
Southeast Asia and China are seeing a surge in digital innovation and cross-border expansion, with major investments in AI, robotics, digital finance, and data infrastructure. From China’s digital yuan platform and robotics exports to Singapore and Thailand’s tech-driven projects, the region is increasingly positioning itself as a hub for fintech, smart mobility, and AI-powered automation.
China
Transactions on the China-led cross-border digital currency platform mBridge have surpassed US$55 billion (HK$429 billion), according to a report by the Atlantic Council, reflecting growing adoption of alternatives to dollar-based payment systems. The platform, tested by central banks in China, Hong Kong, Thailand, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, has processed more than 4,000 transactions, with the digital yuan accounting for about 95% of the volume. Since its early 2022 launch, transaction value has increased roughly 2,500-fold.
💡The digital yuan, or e-CNY, remains the world’s largest live central bank digital currency experiment, with over 3.4 billion transactions worth 16.7 trillion yuan (HK$18.7 trillion) processed as of late 2025. Analysts say mBridge is unlikely to challenge the dollar directly but could gradually reduce reliance on dollar-based settlement systems, with a growing focus on trade settlements, particularly in energy and commodities where China is a key player.
China
China’s securities regulator is investigating battery materials maker Ningbo Ronbay New Energy Technology over allegedly misleading statements related to a major contract announcement, according to a filing with the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The company said operations are normal and it will cooperate with the probe while adhering to disclosure requirements.
💡The investigation follows Ronbay’s announcement of a battery materials supply deal with Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) valued at more than 120 billion yuan ($17.2 billion). In a separate filing, Ronbay clarified that the figure was an internal estimate, with the final contract value dependent on raw material prices and order volumes. The company plans to invest about 8.7 billion yuan over three years to meet contract requirements and said it has sufficient cash and financing capacity to execute the deal without materially affecting liquidity.
China-Malaysia
Shanghai-based robotics firm AgiBot has opened its first overseas facility in Selangor, Malaysia, marking its expansion into Southeast Asia. The 2,000-square-metre AI and Robotics Experience Centre at i-City, developed with local partner I-Bhd, allows visitors to interact with humanoid and quadruped robots performing tasks such as dancing, conversing, handling objects, and navigating obstacles.
💡The centre also showcases applications in hospitality, tourism, property management, and healthcare. AgiBot, which shipped its 5,000th humanoid robot last year, holds a 39% share of China’s humanoid market and has gained global recognition, including a feature at CES 2026 during NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote.
Thailand
Thailand’s Board of Investment has approved seven new data center and hosting projects totaling more than $3.1 billion, aiming to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and support its goal of becoming a Digital Innovation Hub in ASEAN. The approved developments include True Internet Data Center, GSA Data Center 05, Stellar DC, and Freyr Technology, with facilities located in Bangkok, Chonburi, Samut Prakan, and Rayong, collectively providing over 368 MW of IT capacity.
💡The projects are expected to create skilled jobs, improve data security and access speeds, and support growth in sectors such as e-commerce, fintech, and artificial intelligence.
Singapore
Two-wheeled smart mobility firm OMOWAY has closed consecutive Pre-A and Pre-A+ funding rounds, raising tens of millions of U.S. dollars to support production and global expansion. The rounds were led by HongShan and Rocket Capital, with participation from existing investors including ZhenFund, Hui Capital and founder Todd He, with proceeds earmarked for mass production of its flagship electric motorcycle, the OMO X, further technology development and overseas market entry.
💡OMOWAY is preparing to commercially launch the OMO X, which integrates self-balancing technology with artificial intelligence and electronic control systems to assist stability at low speeds. The company plans to begin sales in Indonesia through partnerships with more than 10 local distributors, positioning Southeast Asia as its initial rollout region as it works toward large-scale delivery of self-balancing electric motorcycles.
Singapore
Robotics automation firm Botsync has raised additional funding from state-backed investor SGInnovate as part of its extended Series A round to support product development and regional expansion. The company plans to use the capital to enhance research and development, integrate its SyncOS platform with more robotic and software systems, expand artificial intelligence analytics, and improve the throughput and real-world performance of its autonomous mobile robots.
💡Botsync is preparing to deepen its presence in Southeast Asia and India while building partnerships to enter Australia, New Zealand and the United States, after recent expansion into Australia and South Africa. The company reported more than 240% growth in production trips to over one million in 2025 and 230% revenue growth, driven by demand from sectors including consumer goods, food and beverage and automotive, with deployments for clients such as Ford, Caterpillar, Nestle and Coca-Cola.
Singapore
Singapore-based digital finance platform Atome has secured a renewed and upsized $345 million syndicated debt facility, up from $200 million in 2024, to fund regional expansion of its lending business. HSBC remains structuring bank and mandated lead arranger and bookrunner, with DBS joining in that role, alongside lenders including Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation’s Singapore branch, Baiduri Bank and Cathay United Bank, while Fubon Bank and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank joined the syndicate.
💡The facility will support growth of Atome’s buy-now-pay-later, digital lending and card products across Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. Atome Financial reported operating income of $236 million in 2024, up 63% year-on-year, with gross merchandise value above $2 billion, and reported annualised net revenue above $500 million and GMV of about $6 billion in 2025, with December its strongest month.
Environmental Sustainability
Asia and Europe are accelerating investments in green technology, sustainable finance, and carbon reduction, from hydrogen and biochar projects to ESG software and green bonds. APAC is seeing a clear trend of cross-border collaboration and private-public partnerships aimed at decarbonization, renewable energy infrastructure, and scalable environmental solutions.
China-Europe
LONGi Hydrogen Energy has completed its first shipment of electrolytic water hydrogen production equipment to Europe, delivering a 5MW alkaline electrolyzer system. The project marks a key step in the company’s European expansion, combining targeted optimization in product compliance, engineering design, and delivery services to meet local market requirements. The system adheres to CE standards, follows ASME specifications, and has passed CE PED certification, ensuring structural safety, reliability, and long-term operational stability.
💡The delivery approach includes a full-service solution covering transportation, packaging, and on-site commissioning, with localized documentation and user-friendly operation guides to reduce project management costs. Ergonomic and safety-focused design enhances maintenance efficiency and personnel protection. LONGi Hydrogen Energy said the milestone validates its engineering capabilities and lays a foundation for further supporting Europe’s green hydrogen development and broader energy transition goals.
Germany
Enterprise sustainability software provider osapiens has raised $100 million in a Series C round led by Decarbonization Partners, a joint venture between BlackRock and Singapore’s Temasek, pushing the company’s valuation above $1 billion and granting it unicorn status. The investment will support expansion into global regulatory compliance markets as ESG disclosure and decarbonization requirements grow in the US, Europe, and Asia. Existing investors Goldman Sachs Alternatives and Armira Growth also participated.
osapiens’ platform, which integrates over 25 enterprise-grade solutions, helps companies manage climate obligations, supply chain transparency, and product traceability.
💡The funding will accelerate product development and international expansion amid rising regulatory scrutiny and investor demand for traceable, decarbonized supply chains. Decarbonization Partners highlighted the deal as a step in scaling digital ESG infrastructure in line with evolving global sustainability and compliance standards.
India
Microsoft has agreed to purchase long-duration biochar carbon removals from Varaha, a climate tech company working with smallholder farmers across India. The agreement will fund up to 18 industrial biomass gasification reactors over 15 years, targeting more than 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide removals. Varaha sources cotton stalks—typically burned after harvest—as feedstock, converting them into biochar and storing carbon for centuries.
💡The first reactor is located at Varaha’s research farm in Maharashtra, with scaling designed to ensure farmer participation and robust measurement and verification standards. Microsoft said the deal diversifies its carbon removal portfolio while advancing environmental, social, and economic co-benefits, highlighting the potential for scalable, high-integrity carbon removal in Asia.
Singapore-Korea
Singapore-based private equity firm The Sylvan Group has partnered SK Innovation, the energy unit of South Korea’s SK Group, to invest about $300 million to expand a hydrogen mobility business in South Korea, including building refuelling hubs for buses. The investment will be made through SK Hyverse, which plans to develop 29 liquefied hydrogen stations nationwide and support more than 6,000 hydrogen-powered buses by 2029, with capital deployed in phases as operations scale. South Korea will be the launch market, with plans to consider expansion elsewhere in Asia once performance is proven.
💡The refuelling hubs will be located near major bus depots to support demand, with hydrogen supplied under long-term agreements from SK’s liquefied hydrogen facilities in Incheon, Sylvan said. SK Innovation will provide experience across the hydrogen value chain, from production to downstream use, as the partners seek to scale commercial hydrogen transport, which is being promoted as a way to cut emissions from high-use and heavy-duty vehicle fleets.
Thailand
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will invest up to $100 million in a green bond issued by KASIKORNBANK, one of Thailand’s largest commercial lenders, as part of efforts to expand sustainable finance and resource-efficient practices in the country. The investment marks IFC’s first transaction with KBank and is aimed at supporting job creation, pollution reduction and higher environmental standards, with proceeds allocated to grow the bank’s sustainable assets such as green buildings and electric vehicles.
💡IFC is also working with KBank on knowledge sharing and capacity building to strengthen environmental and social risk practices and diversify its green portfolio. The partnership targets sectors tied to economic development, including mobility, housing and infrastructure, and forms part of the World Bank Group’s broader engagement with Thailand ahead of the IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings scheduled for Bangkok in October 2026.
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City Development Commercial Bank (HDBank) has completed a $100 million international green bond programme after issuing a second $50 million tranche to Dutch development bank FMO and UK development finance institution British International Investment. The tranche comprises $30 million placed with FMO and $20 million with BII, following an earlier issuance to the International Finance Corporation, which helped bring the two investors into the deal. The bonds have a three-year maturity and are non-convertible, unsecured and issued without warrants.
💡HDBank said the proceeds will support lending for projects such as solar power, electric vehicles and green buildings under its Sustainable Finance Framework, which requires environmental and social risk screening. The bank said projects financed by the bonds are expected to cut about 102,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over 10 years and support Vietnam’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, while also helping diversify the lender’s funding sources and attract further foreign capital.
Aviation
The aviation industry in Asia-Pacific is seeing a surge in modernization, technological innovation, and regulatory adaptation, alongside ongoing safety and competitive challenges. From AI-driven data analytics, satellite-based traffic management, and international aircraft certification to policy shifts on aircraft lifespan.
Canada-USA-South Korea
Port Alberni-based Coulson Aviation has filed a lawsuit against U.S. competitor Columbia Helicopters, accusing it of deliberately blocking Coulson from securing a South Korean contract for aerial firefighting equipment. Coulson, which operates a global fleet of firefighting aircraft, alleges that Columbia initially agreed to use Coulson’s proprietary high-capacity water tanks in its helicopters if Coulson withdrew its bid. Coulson claims Columbia later installed rival tanks, costing the company up to US$28 million in potential sales and harming its reputation.
💡The lawsuit also alleges that Columbia made false statements to the South Korean Fire Service, questioning the reliability and technical quality of Coulson’s tanks. Filed in B.C. Supreme Court, Coulson is seeking damages for lost revenue and reputational harm. Columbia Helicopters has not publicly responded, and the case has not yet been tested in court.
China
J&T Global Express and China’s S.F. Holding have agreed to a strategic cross-shareholding involving mutual issuance of new shares with a transaction value of HK$8.3 billion ($1.06 billion). Under the deal, J&T will issue 822 million Class B shares to SF Holding at HK$10.10 each, while SF Holding will issue 226 million H shares to J&T at HK$36.74 apiece. After completion, SF Holding will own 10% of J&T on a diluted basis, and J&T will hold about 4.29% of SF Holding.
💡The arrangement is intended to integrate the two companies’ logistics networks as Chinese firms expand overseas and cross-border e-commerce grows. J&T contributes last-mile coverage and local operations across 13 countries, while SF Holding provides first-mile and line-haul capabilities in cross-border logistics, allowing the partners to improve end-to-end network coverage and competitiveness in both international and domestic China markets.
China-Europe
Pilots from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have conducted test flights of COMAC’s C919 commercial airliner in Shanghai as part of the aircraft’s certification process for Western regulators. The flights aim to validate the C919’s design and safety ahead of potential approval, with EASA confirming “validation activities” have taken place. Senior foreign pilots reportedly assisted in demonstrating the aircraft’s reliability, although minor adjustments were needed during testing.
💡The C919, China’s narrowbody competitor to Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320, is already in operation in some regions but lacks certification from both EASA and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, limiting its international market access. COMAC first applied for EASA certification in 2019, with delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a process restart in 2023.
Hong Kong
GIBO Holdings Ltd. has announced an expansion of its AI aviation roadmap, extending its GIBO.ai Calculation Engine beyond flight operations to provide AI-powered aerial intelligence and data analytics for commercial, industrial, and sustainability-focused markets. Building on its eVTOL platforms, GIBO is positioning aerial systems as data-generating assets capable of producing actionable insights for infrastructure planning, environmental assessment, energy optimization, and ESG decision-making.
💡The GIBO.ai Calculation Engine transforms real-time aerial data—including environmental sensing, terrain imaging, and operational telemetry—into structured intelligence for industries such as energy, infrastructure, logistics, and smart cities. The system supports sustainability and ESG applications by quantifying environmental conditions, monitoring change, and validating operational impact.
Indonesia
Indonesian authorities confirmed on Sunday that the wreckage of a missing ATR 42-500 turboprop has been located, with search and rescue operations ongoing despite challenging conditions of thick fog and mountainous terrain. The aircraft, operated by the Indonesian Air Transport group and chartered to the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, went missing Saturday on a flight from Yogyakarta to Makassar. Eleven people were on board, including eight crew members and three passengers.
The plane, registration PK-THT, first entered service in 2001 and had been operating for the Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance service since May 2025. Contact was lost shortly before the aircraft’s scheduled approach over Mount Bulusaraung. Authorities deployed 1,200 personnel to search the site, with large sections of the fuselage and tail observed scattered on the mountainside.
💡The cause of the crash remains unknown, and Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee will lead the investigation, supported by ATR and potentially international safety agencies
Thailand
Thailand plans to scrap age limits for commercial aircraft, shifting oversight to airworthiness standards, as the country faces a shortage of planes. Under current rules, passenger jets can operate up to 16 years, cargo planes 22 years, and helicopters five years. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) said the new approach will allow airlines to retain mid-life aircraft while ensuring strict maintenance and inspection regimes. Lessors will be required to enforce these standards for lessees.
💡The change comes as Thai carriers, including Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and Thai VietJet, contend with delivery delays from Airbus and Boeing. CAAT expects older aircraft will face more frequent inspections, requiring expanded MRO support. The policy, approved in principle, could take effect in the first quarter of 2026, providing airlines flexibility to bridge capacity gaps while continuing investment in newer, fuel-efficient fleets.
USA-Singapore
Viasat is set to launch an Iris Test Facility (ITF) in Singapore to support Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) across the Asia Pacific. The facility will provide end-to-end testing of live air and ground operations, including advanced datalink communications, multilink configurations, and automated surveillance exchanges, replicating operational conditions to ensure seamless integration before deployment.
💡Iris enables satellite-based 4D trajectory sharing between aircraft and controllers, optimizing routes, reducing fuel use, and minimizing delays. Integrated with global standards such as FF-ICE and SWIM, the system supports real-time collaboration between airlines, airports, and air navigation service providers. Building on European success, the ITF—expected to be operational in 2026—aims to enhance efficiency, predictability, and harmonization of air traffic management across the region
Advanced Air Mobility
China and Japan are accelerating both crewed and uncrewed eVTOL development, signaling growing adoption of low-altitude air mobility for law enforcement, commercial travel, and cargo transport. IPOs, maiden flights, and international sales deals point to the sector’s rapid commercialization and cross-border expansion.
China
China’s first police passenger-carrying eVTOL aircraft was commissioned and certified in Guangzhou on January 10. The two-person EH216S, developed by EHang, is an eVTOL aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 650 kilograms, a top speed of 130 km/h, and a 30 km range. It features an 8-axis, 16-rotor distributed power system and can fly autonomously along pre-set routes.
💡The Huangpu district public security bureau said the aircraft will be deployed for patrols, emergency response, traffic management, and search and rescue, making it the first crewed eVTOL aircraft to receive type, production, airworthiness, and operation certificates.
China
According to the South China Morning Post, Aridge, the eVTOL affiliate of Chinese EV maker Xpeng, is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong, potentially becoming the first mainland Chinese eVTOL aircraft company to list there. The Guangzhou-based company confidentially filed IPO plans with the Hong Kong stock exchange and appointed JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley as underwriters. Aridge was valued at around $2 billion after a $150 million Series B1 funding round in 2024 and aims to begin deliveries of its eVTOL aircraft in the second half of 2026.
💡The company’s first personal air vehicles are expected to be priced below 2 million yuan ($287,000) and will operate in low-altitude airspace below 1,000 metres. Analysts note that a successful listing could open the Hong Kong market for other eVTOL businesses, as interest grows in low-altitude commercial travel and next-generation mobility solutions.
China
China conducted the maiden flight of the Tianma 1000 uncrewed transport aircraft last Sunday from an airport in Shaanxi province. Developed by Xi’an Aisheng Technology Group, a subsidiary of Norinco, the aircraft is designed for operations in challenging environments, including plateaus, coastal regions, and mountainous areas.
💡The Tianma 1000 can reach altitudes of up to 8,000 meters, fly 1,800 km, and carry payloads of up to one tonne. It features a guided optical landing system that enables autonomous landings in low-visibility conditions
Japan-Dubai
Japan’s SkyDrive has reached a general agreement with Dubai-based AeroGulf Services for the sale of up to 20 eVTOL aircraft, with 10 units scheduled for delivery in 2028 and a further 10 in 2029. The framework includes pricing and delivery timelines and marks SkyDrive’s first detailed commercial arrangement with a customer outside Japan.
💡The deal follows a 2025 memorandum of understanding and demonstration flights over Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, part of SkyDrive’s plan for full-scale eVTOL commercialization by 2028.
Marine
Asia’s maritime sector is embracing digitalization, electrification, and AI-driven efficiency, from fractional investment platforms and electric vessels to wind-assisted propulsion and autonomous navigation. The industry is simultaneously pursuing sustainability, fleet modernization, and operational innovation.
Japan
Trading house Mitsui & Co is set to launch Japan’s first digital securities for fractional ownership of aircraft and ships, Nikkei reports. Through its subsidiary Mitsui & Co Digital Asset Management, which operates the online platform Alterna since 2023, the firm will allow investors to participate from as little as ¥100,000 ($630).
💡Mitsui plans to purchase aircraft and vessels, then distribute returns to investors based on charter revenue from these assets. Other firms offering similar tokenised investment in maritime and shipping assets include Antier, Bloklab, and Shipfinex.
Japan-Singapore
MOL PLUS, the investment arm of Mitsui OSK Lines, has taken a stake in Singapore-based electric vessel developer Pyxis Maritime, focusing on commercial deployment of electric harbour craft and charging infrastructure. Founded in 2022, Pyxis builds electric workboats and passenger vessels and operates charging networks and vessel management software. The investment aligns with Singapore’s 2030 rules requiring new harbour vessels to run on electricity, B100 biofuel, or other net-zero fuels.
💡The companies have already collaborated on exploring integrated vessel and charging solutions. Pyxis’ current offerings include Pyxis One, an electric harbour operations vessel, and Pyxis R, an all-electric passenger craft. MOL PLUS will also support business development and regional port electrification initiatives.
Singapore
Yangzijiang Maritime Development has placed orders for six new vessels, with options for ten more, as part of its ongoing maritime investment expansion. The Singapore-listed firm said the contracts, arranged with co-investors across three Chinese shipyards, include two handysize bulk carriers (≈40,000 dwt), two MR product tankers (≈49,800 dwt), and two LR2 tankers (≈114,000 dwt).
💡Deliveries are scheduled between April 2027 and September 2029, depending on vessel type. If all options are exercised, the company’s newbuilding pipeline would reach 50 ships. Currently, Yangzijiang Maritime’s portfolio includes two delivered vessels, 34 under construction, and 14 optional units.
South Korea
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), part of HD Hyundai, has begun sea trials of its Wing Sail wind-assisted propulsion system on HMM’s 50,000 dwt MR tanker, Oriental Aquamarine. The 30 m-high, 10 m-wide wing sail, designed to generate thrust through aerodynamic lift, passed onshore testing and structural inspections by the Korean Register before installation. Its tilting and folding capabilities allow safe operation in heavy weather or under bridges.
💡The trials aim to assess fuel efficiency, emissions reductions, and real-world performance under varying marine conditions. HD Hyundai estimates the system could cut fuel use by 5–20% depending on trading routes and weather. HMM will monitor performance over two years, with wider deployment across its bulk fleet considered if results meet expectations.
South Korea
South Korean shipping leader HMM has signed agreements with Avikus and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering to implement AI-driven autonomous navigation systems across its fleet. Initially, HMM plans to equip 40 vessels, with potential fleet-wide deployment depending on performance results. The collaboration includes joint research under a memorandum of understanding (MOU), leveraging operational data to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
💡Under the agreement, HMM will provide operational data, HD Korea Shipbuilding will support vessel platforms, and Avikus will supply its HiNAS Control system, integrating perception, decision-making, and control functions. Avikus has already installed the technology on around 350 vessels, including over 100 retrofitted large ships.
Space
Asia is advancing its space ambitions across satellite networks, lunar exploration, and international cooperation, balancing technological innovation with regulatory and operational risks. From China’s Internet constellation and lunar timekeeping to India’s rocket failures and Japan’s collaborative space agreements, the region is shaping a multi-faceted, globally connected space ecosystem.
China
China has launched its 18th batch of Internet satellites into orbit using a Long March 8A rocket from Hainan, expanding its state-run satellite network to over 140 satellites. The growing constellation aims to provide global Internet coverage, supporting Beijing’s strategy to build an independent, comprehensive space-based communications infrastructure.
💡The expansion enhances China’s ability to deliver orbital Internet services, particularly to remote areas.
China
Chinese researchers have developed the world’s first lunar timekeeping software, designed to support precise navigation and landings on the Moon. The program, called LTE440 (Lunar Time Ephemeris), accounts for the Moon’s weaker gravity—which makes clocks tick about 56 millionths of a second faster per day—and its motion through space, allowing lunar events to be accurately synchronized with Earth time. The model is reportedly accurate to within tens of nanoseconds over 1,000 years.
💡Packaged as ready-to-use software, LTE440 simplifies lunar-Earth time comparisons without complex calculations. The team at Purple Mountain Observatory in Nanjing said the tool is an initial step toward real-time navigation and future lunar clock networks, anticipating that lunar timekeeping will become increasingly critical as Moon missions grow more frequent.
India
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C62) failed late last Sunday, resulting in the loss of a primary Earth observation satellite and 15 co-passenger spacecraft. The rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center at 11:48 p.m. Eastern (0448 UTC, Jan. 12), but six minutes into flight, during third-stage burn, it lost attitude control, tumbled, and deviated from its trajectory.
💡The lost payloads included India’s EOS-N1 hyperspectral imaging satellite, the Theos-2 Earth observation satellite (UK-Thailand), satellites from Dhruva Space, a diplomatic satellite for Nepal, five Brazilian AlltoSpace satellites, and the 25-kg Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID) from Spain’s Orbital Paradigm supported by ESA. The PSLV’s previous mission in May 2025 also failed due to a third-stage anomaly, affecting EOS-09. The incident may delay upcoming PSLV launches, including PSLV-C63 (TDS-01) and PSLV-N1 (EOS-10), and comes ahead of India’s 2026 uncrewed Gaganyaan missions carrying the humanoid robot Vyommitra.
Japan
Lunar exploration company ispace, Inc. has been selected to lead its “High Precision Landing Technology in the Lunar Polar Regions” project under the second phase of Japan’s Space Strategy Fund. The initiative, part of Mission 6 scheduled for 2029, will receive funding for up to five years, with a maximum ceiling of ¥20 billion, subject to stage-gate reviews.
💡The project will develop a lunar lander based on ispace’s Series 3 design to enable precise, stable landings near the Moon’s south pole, where water ice may be present, while supporting payload operations and deploying a relay satellite for communications. The technology will also inform future lunar missions, including landings in mid-latitude Lunar Pits and night-survival operations.
Japan-Italy
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are set to agree on cooperation to tackle space debris during a summit in Tokyo on Friday, Nikkei reports. The leaders will establish a space consultation framework to share technology for debris removal and promote the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space. The sessions will involve bureau directors and officials from relevant agencies, with the first technical talks expected in Japan by June.
💡The discussions are also expected to cover satellite operations, spacecraft launch technologies, support for Global South countries, disaster monitoring, and joint activities on the International Space Station. Japan and Italy already collaborate through a memorandum between JAXA and the Italian Space Agency and participate in the U.S.-led Artemis lunar program.
Japan-Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Space Agency has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Japanese government to promote the peaceful use of outer space. The agreement, concluded on the sidelines of the Saudi-Japan Ministerial Investment Forum, involved Japan’s Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, with Saudi Space Agency Chairman Abdullah Alswaha representing the Kingdom.
💡The memorandum aims to foster collaboration in space science and technology, capacity building, and the exchange of expertise. The Saudi Space Agency said the partnership strengthens international ties, supports research and innovation, and advances the Kingdom’s role in the global space ecosystem while promoting the peaceful use of outer space.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**