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
September 2025
26–28 Sep 2025: 3rd Asian Aerospace and Astronautics Conference (AAAC 2025), Nanjing, China – Focus on aerospace engineering & satellite systems.
29 Sep – 3 Oct 2025: 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025), Sydney, Australia – Global gathering for space community, latest advancements, academic works, industry connections, and partnerships.
October 2025
28–31 Oct 2025: Nihonbashi Space Week 2025, Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan – Brings together 100+ start-ups and companies, highlighting developments supported by Japan’s Space Strategic Fund.
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: Credit Saison Launches $50M Blockchain Fund; AlphaMove, Guangxi Ink Smart City Blockchain Deal; VinFast, BDO Partner on EV Financing and Charging Expansion; Salmon Raises $50M in Oversubscribed Bond Sale; and Atome, Maya Bank Forge $48M Loan Partnership
Environmental Sustainability: Australia Sets 62–70% Emissions Cut Target by 2035 with $5.3B Climate Investments; Chinese Researchers Develop Solar System to Produce Hydrogen from Air Moisture; Biogasclean, Concord Launch Seven Biogas Projects in Malaysia; TUI Futureshapers Laos Supports 200 MSMEs and Green Tourism Entrepreneurs; Singapore Secures 2M+ Tonnes of International Carbon Credits; and South Korea Unveils $7.8B Plan to Build Hydrogen Hub on West Coast
Aviation: Oneworld, Member Airlines Launch $150M SAF Fund with BEV; Families of Air India Flight 171 Crash Victims Sue Boeing, Honeywell; Teleport, China Central Longhao Boost Air Cargo Connectivity; Korean Air Suspends $215M 777 Cabin Refurbishment; and Parata Airlines Receives Air Operator Certificate for Domestic Launch
Advanced Air Mobility: Xpeng AeroHT Experiences eVTOL Aircraft Accident; Aero Asia 2025 to Showcase eVTOLs, Drones, and General Aviation; Haylion, Skyportz Partner on Modular Vertipads for China; Allur to Buy Up to 50 EHang eVTOLs for Kazakhstan UAM; and Ascendance Expands in Malaysia with Hybrid-Electric VTOL Partnerships
Marine: Asia Ocean Fund Launched with $75M for Maritime Decarbonisation; COSCO Expands Logistics Network in Shenzhen and Singapore; GCMD Confirms B24 Biodiesel Use Feasible for Shipping; Yinson’s Next-Gen FPSO Hull Receives DNV Class Approval; and HD Hyundai Explores U.S. Shipyard Acquisition
Space: Japan Ends Akatsuki Venus Orbiter Mission; South Korea’s Nuri Rocket Enters Final Launch Checks; Report Warns China Could Surpass U.S. as Leading Space Power; and NASA Launches Thailand’s First Scientific Experiment to ISS
Financing & Investments
Blockchain, EV, and fintech deals dominate, with heavy investment in the Philippines and cross-border partnerships across Asia. Common threads: blockchain adoption, EV rollout, and expanded credit access.
Japan-Singapore
Japan’s Credit Saison has launched “Onigiri Capital,” a $50 million blockchain-focused fund through its Singapore-based subsidiary, targeting early-stage startups in India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. The fund will back ventures in stablecoins, payments, asset tokenization, decentralized finance, and financial infrastructure, with $35 million already secured.
💡The initiative marks Credit Saison’s first global business fund and aims to promote financial inclusion while supporting fundraising for innovative blockchain startups.
Malaysia-China
Malaysia’s blockchain startup AlphaMove has signed a cooperation framework agreement with China’s Guangxi Research Department to advance smart city innovation and deep tech development. The deal, announced at the 3rd Forum on China-ASEAN Artificial Intelligence Cooperation, will focus on building an AI-enhanced blockchain ecosystem for applications such as asset pricing, risk management, and tokenization of real-world assets.
💡The partnership includes establishing research labs in Nanning and Kuala Lumpur to drive cross-border collaboration in AI and blockchain.
Philippines
VinFast Auto Philippines Inc., V-Green Charging Station Development Philippines Inc., and Green and Smart Mobility Philippines Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with BDO Unibank Inc. to boost electric mobility in the Philippines.
💡Under the deal, VinFast will tap BDO’s financing and leasing solutions to roll out tailored EV programs, while V-Green will expand charging stations across SM Supermalls, Alfamart outlets, and other key sites. Green GSM, which launched the country’s first all-electric taxi fleet earlier this year, will use BDO’s digital platform to scale operations.
Philippines
Salmon Group Ltd., a Philippine fintech focused on consumer credit, raised $50 million in an oversubscribed Nordic bond sale. The latest financing follows its $60 million debut issue in April, bringing total bond funding to $110 million under its $150 million framework. Investor demand was twice the available amount, signaling confidence in the company’s expansion strategy and financial position.
💡Co-founder Pavel Fedorov said the fresh capital will help Salmon accelerate growth as it rolls out credit lines, cards, loans and deposit products through subsidiaries Sunprime Finance and Salmon Bank.
Singapore-Philippines
Atome, a Singapore-based digital finance platform, has partnered with Maya Bank in a ₱2.75 billion ($48 million) loan channeling deal to expand credit access in the Philippines.
💡Under the agreement, Maya Bank will supply the credit infrastructure while Atome leverages its platform to deliver flexible payment and lending services.
Environmental Sustainability
Governments and firms are scaling up decarbonization through hydrogen, biogas, renewables, and carbon credits. Australia and South Korea set ambitious national targets, while Singapore turns to global carbon markets. Innovation is evident in China’s water-free hydrogen system.
Australia
Australia has set a new climate target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 62% to 70% by 2035, compared with 2005 levels, the government announced. The target will form the country’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, replacing its current goal of a 43% reduction by 2030. Alongside the target, the government unveiled more than AUD 8 billion (USD 5.3 billion) in climate-related investments focused on industrial decarbonization, clean electricity, low-carbon fuels, and EV charging infrastructure.
The announcement also included a Net Zero Plan and six sector-level emissions reduction strategies covering electricity and energy, transport, industry, agriculture, built environment, and resources. Key measures include expanding renewable generation and transmission, promoting EV adoption, supporting low-carbon fuels and green hydrogen, and scaling up carbon removals through land-based approaches like reforestation.
💡Funding initiatives include a AUD 5 billion Net Zero Fund for industrial decarbonization, AUD 2 billion for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and AUD 1.1 billion for clean fuels, alongside investments in EV infrastructure and energy efficiency.
China
Researchers at the Hefei Institute of Physical Science, led by Prof. Yin Huajie, have developed a solar-powered system that produces green hydrogen directly from atmospheric moisture, eliminating the need for external water or energy. The technology, published in Advanced Materials, combines photothermal atmospheric water harvesting with proton exchange membrane electrolysis.
💡The system uses porous carbon to capture and evaporate air moisture, feeding it into an electrolyzer. Tests show it can produce nearly 300 mL of hydrogen per hour under 40% humidity and operate continuously with zero carbon emissions, offering a potential solution for hydrogen production in water-scarce regions.
Denmark-Malaysia
Danish cleantech company Biogasclean has partnered with Malaysia’s Concord Group to launch seven renewable energy projects across Malaysia. The collaboration will convert palm oil mill effluent (POME) into clean energy, using Biogasclean’s biological desulphurisation and methanation technology to produce purified biogas and generate electricity for the national grid.
💡The partnership also plans to upgrade biogas into biomethane for gas grid injection or convert it into Bio-LNG for use in marine and road transport, supporting Southeast Asia’s growing demand for sustainable fuels
Germany-Laos
TUI Care Foundation has launched TUI Futureshapers Laos to support 200 MSMEs and 100 young entrepreneurs in Laos’s tourism sector, with half of the entrepreneurs being women. The initiative introduces a Small Matching Grants Programme to help businesses develop and scale sustainable products and services across Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, Luang Prabang, and Champasak.
💡The programme provides technical support in sustainable business practices, financial management, and product development. About 80 businesses will receive seed funding to pilot green innovations, supporting roughly 2,000 livelihoods. In its third year, an investor familiarisation trip will connect high-potential enterprises with international investors and mentors.
Singapore
Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and National Climate Change Secretariat announced contracts for more than 2 million tonnes of nature-based carbon credits from four projects in Ghana, Peru, and Paraguay. The move is part of Singapore’s efforts to meet its 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and long-term goal of net zero emissions by 2050, leveraging Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to trade high-integrity carbon credits internationally.
💡The projects include forest protection and reforestation initiatives in Peru and Ghana, and grassland restoration in Paraguay, representing $60 million in emissions reductions from 2026 to 2030. Authorities said the credits will complement domestic measures such as carbon taxes, solar deployment, and carbon capture, while supporting biodiversity, local communities, and sustainable land use. A second request for proposals for Article 6-compliant credits is expected later this year.
South Korea
South Chungcheong Province announced an ₩11 trillion ($7.8 billion) plan to turn Korea’s coal-heavy west coast into the country’s largest hydrogen hub. Governor Kim Tae-heum signed agreements with 19 local governments, utilities, and companies to develop a “West Coast Belt” covering hydrogen production, storage, and use.
The province plans 23 projects by 2030, aiming for 1.2 million tonnes of hydrogen annually by 2040, 20 GW of hydrogen power, 200 hydrogen companies, 50,000 fuel-cell vehicles, 340 refueling stations, and ten hydrogen cities. State-owned utilities will convert coal plants to hydrogen and ammonia, supported by private firms including Linde Korea, Hyundai Oilbank, and SK Innovation.
Aviation
Oneworld-backed fund targets sustainable aviation fuel, while airlines pursue new routes and partnerships. Regulatory and legal challenges arise from cabin redesigns and crash litigation, alongside the launch of South Korea’s new domestic carrier.
Global
oneworld alliance and member airlines, in partnership with Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV), have launched a $150 million fund to accelerate next-generation Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) technologies. Cornerstone investors include Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, with IAG, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Singapore Airlines also participating.
The fund will invest in scalable, low-carbon jet fuels, support alternative fuel markets, and strengthen SAF supply chains. BEV will manage the fund, leveraging its technical and commercial expertise to bring early-stage SAF technologies to market, aiming to reduce aviation emissions and foster long-term industry innovation.
India-USA
The families of four passengers who died in the June crash of Air India Flight 171 have filed a lawsuit against Boeing and Honeywell in Delaware Superior Court, alleging that a faulty fuel cutoff switch and corporate negligence caused the disaster that killed 260 people. Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad to London on June 12.
💡The complaint claims the switch on the 787-8 Dreamliner could be turned off inadvertently or be missing, cutting fuel supply and thrust during takeoff. Plaintiffs said Boeing and Honeywell were aware of the risk, citing FAA warnings in 2018 about disengaged locking mechanisms on several Boeing aircraft.
Malaysia-China
Teleport, the logistics arm of Malaysia’s Capital A, signed a memorandum of understanding with China Central Longhao Airlines to boost air cargo connectivity between China and Southeast Asia. Announced at the Zhengzhou-Kuala Lumpur Air Silk Road Forum, the deal is aimed at streamlining cargo flows and cutting transit times along one of Asia’s fastest-growing trade corridors.
💡The agreement includes an interline partnership that links Air Central China’s hubs in Xi’an and Hangzhou with Teleport’s Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific network spanning more than 290 cities.
South Korea
Korean Air has suspended a $215 million cabin refurbishment of its Boeing 777-300ER fleet following customer complaints and regulatory scrutiny. The overhaul, unveiled in August 2025, was set to introduce a 40-seat premium economy cabin and reconfigure economy from a 3-3-3 layout to a denser 3-4-3 format on 11 aircraft. Passengers criticized the tighter layout for reducing seat width and comfort, while South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission raised concerns it could breach merger conditions tied to service quality.
💡The airline said it will retain the existing 3-3-3 economy layout, leaving most 777s unchanged while the refurbishment plan is reviewed. One aircraft had already been upgraded to the new configuration, including premium economy.
South Korea
South Korea’s newest budget carrier, Parata Airlines, has received its air operator’s certificate from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, clearing the way for a launch later this month. The airline will start domestic flights from Yangyang International Airport to Jeju, gradually expanding its network.
💡Parata, the rebranded successor to Fly Gangwon, was acquired last year by home appliance company Winix. Under new ownership, it plans to operate as a hybrid carrier using both small and large aircraft.
Advanced Air Mobility
Advanced air mobility advances with new technology, infrastructure, and market expansion. China and Kazakhstan focus on eVTOL aircraft deployment and UAM training, while Malaysia and France-backed partnerships support hybrid-electric VTOL growth
China
Xpeng AeroHT, the eVTOL aircraft unit of Chinese EV maker Xpeng, is reported to have experienced an in-flight collision involving two of its aircraft during a rehearsal for the Changchun Airshow on September 16. One aircraft reportedly landed safely, while the other sustained structural damage and caught fire. At least one passenger was injured and hospitalized, though there were no life-threatening injuries, local media reported.
💡Local media quoted Xpeng AeroHT saying the collision occurred during a dual-aircraft formation drill due to insufficient separation. On-site personnel were unharmed, and authorities have completed their response, with a full investigation ongoing.
China
The Aero Asia 2025 show in Zhuhai from November 27–30 will highlight China’s general aviation and low-altitude economy, including drones and eVTOL aircraft. Organizers expect 300 exhibitors from 17 countries and 60,000 visitors, with Chinese OEMs dominating the lineup alongside participants from Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, and anticipated U.S. and European firms.
💡Exhibitors include Cessna, Pilatus, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Airbus Helicopters, and Chinese eVTOL developers like EHang and Volocopter. The nearly 650,000 sq ft event spans five halls, covering aircraft, drones, engines, green energy, infrastructure, and MRO services, and targets sectors from logistics and emergency services to agriculture and flight training.
China-Australia
China-based Haylion Technologies and Australia’s Skyportz have formed a strategic partnership to bring Skyportz’s modular vertipad landing infrastructure to the Chinese AAM market. Unveiled at the AAM Asia Symposium in Japan, the collaboration will begin with prototype installations in Shenzhen, a recognized hub for low-altitude economic innovation.
💡Haylion, a founding member of the Shenzhen AAM Group, brings expertise in eMaaS, rapid charging, modular vertiport construction, and integrated operational systems. Skyportz will provide its patented vertipad design, which addresses challenges such as downwash, fire safety, and scalability while remaining lightweight and adaptable to dense urban environments.
China-Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s Allur Group has agreed to purchase up to 50 of EHang’s autonomous eVTOL aircraft, marking the first step in a broader plan to introduce urban air mobility (UAM) in Central Asia. The initial 20 aircraft—10 EH216-S passenger models and 10 EH216-L cargo units—will be used for technical training and certification testing.
💡The partnership will also establish the region’s first UAM center in Kazakhstan, which will host training operations and demonstration flights before expanding into commercial passenger and logistics services. Future plans include an eVTOL assembly facility capable of producing up to 200 aircraft annually for Kazakhstan and neighboring markets, with a fully local supply chain supported by EHang for key components like motors and batteries.
France-Malaysia
Toulouse-based hybrid-electric aviation start-up Ascendance is expanding in the Asia-Pacific market through two new partnerships in Malaysia. On September 17, the company signed memorandums of understanding with Pen Aviation and Pahang Aerospace City Development.
Under the deals, Pen Aviation will explore integrating Ascendance’s Sterna hybrid-electric propulsion system into locally developed unmanned air vehicles and act as distributor for the Atea hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft in Southeast Asia. The MOU includes letters of intent for 15 Atea aircraft, with the first full-scale prototype expected in early 2026.
💡Pahang Aerospace City, an aviation innovation hub backed by Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund, will collaborate on a hybrid propulsion competence center, production facilities, and flight demonstrations, while supporting partnerships with local academic institutions.
Marine
Maritime initiatives focus on decarbonization, logistics expansion, and next-generation vessel development. Investment funds, biodiesel testing, advanced FPSO designs, and international acquisitions signal growing regional and global efforts to modernize shipping and offshore operations.
Asia
Asian shipping magnate Chavalit Frederick Tsao and Norwegian impact investor Tharald Nustad have launched the $75 million Asia Ocean Fund, co-managed by Tsao’s Octave Capital and Nustad’s Katapult Ocean. The fund aims to finance maritime decarbonization, ocean renewables, green ports, biodiversity projects, circular resources, and sustainable aquaculture, targeting Asia’s rapidly growing blue economy.
💡The fund plans its first accelerator in early 2026, with a goal of supporting 20 start-ups over five years.
China
COSCO Container, the Hong Kong unit of China’s largest shipping group, is expanding its logistics network. On September 15, it launched a RMB1 billion ($140 million) joint venture in Shenzhen with COSCO Shipping Logistics, Shenzhen Port Logistics Group, and CCCC Fourth Harbour, offering high-spec warehouses, cold storage, and customs-supervised facilities.
💡The same day, COSCO partnered with PSA International to develop the PSA Supply Chain Hub @ Tuas in Singapore, a multi-functional facility combining warehousing, cold storage, and hazardous goods handling, set to open in 2027. The move extends COSCO’s reach across Southeast Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific.
Global
The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) reported that long-term use of a 24% biodiesel blend (B24) in oceangoing vessels is technically feasible without performance or cost penalties. Project LOTUS, conducted with Japan’s Nippon Yusen Kaisha, ran a pure car and truck carrier on the fuel blend for more than 2,800 hours on the main engine and 1,800 hours on generators. Dry-dock inspections and fuel testing showed no abnormal wear, sludge, or microbial growth, with OEMs confirming compatibility if proper handling and maintenance are followed.
💡The results provide operational data supporting sustained biodiesel use, addressing a critical gap as the IMO’s net-zero rules push shipowners to increase biofuel use. GCMD also published a structured monitoring framework for ship operators. Analysts caution, however, that scaling biofuels could intensify sustainability challenges, as large portions of projected shipping biodiesel demand may come from palm and soy, which carry high indirect emissions and land-use impacts.
Singapore
Singapore-based FPSO owner Yinson Production has received class approval from DNV for its next-generation purpose-built hull, Meridian, designed for deepwater and ultra-deepwater operations. The approval covers main scantlings and validates the hull’s performance and low-carbon innovations in challenging offshore environments.
💡Yinson said the Meridian design positions the company to compete for newbuild projects in South America and West Africa, marking a shift from its traditional FPSO conversions.
South Korea
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is exploring the acquisition of a U.S. shipyard as part of its plan to tap into Washington’s naval expansion, aiming for $2.2 billion in U.S. revenue by 2035. The Korean conglomerate has already established multiple U.S. joint ventures in engines, offshore engineering, and LNG, and recently launched a $2 billion investment fund with Cerberus to finance U.S. naval and offshore newbuilds.
💡The move follows broader South Korean efforts to expand shipbuilding ties with the U.S., including partnerships by Hanwha Ocean at Philly Shipyard and Samsung Heavy Industries with Vigor Marine in Oregon. HD Hyundai has also signed MOUs with Huntington Ingalls and Fairbanks Morse Defense and partnered with U.S. universities to cultivate shipbuilding talent.
Space
Japan concludes a decade-long Venus mission, South Korea prepares its first private-led rocket launch, China rapidly expands space capabilities, and Thailand participates in its first orbital experiment via NASA, reflecting accelerating global engagement in space.
Japan
Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has officially ended operations for its Akatsuki Venus orbiter after losing contact with the spacecraft last year. Launched in May 2010, Akatsuki failed to enter Venus orbit initially due to a main engine malfunction, but mission engineers managed to use its remaining thrusters to achieve orbit in December 2015. The orbiter went on to deliver valuable scientific data for nearly a decade, despite aging well beyond its intended lifespan.
💡In April 2024, Akatsuki experienced a major glitch that left JAXA unable to stabilize its orbit or restore communication. After repeated recovery attempts, the agency decided to terminate the mission, citing the spacecraft’s age and the failure to regain contact. With Akatsuki offline, there are currently no active Venus missions, though NASA, ESA, and private operators have several Venus missions planned between 2030 and 2031
South Korea
South Korea’s Nuri rocket has entered final checks ahead of its fourth flight, scheduled for late November, following a full Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) at the Naro Space Center. Engineers fueled the launch vehicle and ran through countdown procedures to validate systems before ignition. Officials said the results will be reviewed by Sept. 26 to confirm the launch date, with a window set between 12:54 a.m. and 1:14 a.m.
💡The mission marks the first private-led space launch in South Korea, with Hanwha Aerospace taking charge of design, assembly and operations under technology transferred from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. The flight will carry the Next-generation Medium Satellite 3, fueled at the country’s new hydrazine handling facility. The launch follows a two-and-a-half-year gap and is seen as a milestone in the handover of South Korea’s launch program from government to industry.
USA-China
A new report from the Commercial Spaceflight Federation warns that China could surpass the U.S. as the world’s leading space power within five to ten years. The 112-page “Redshift” report cites China’s rapid expansion in space infrastructure, including its new space station, satellite megaconstellations, and lunar exploration programs. China has achieved major milestones such as mapping the lunar surface, returning lunar samples, and developing heavy-lift rockets, while simultaneously building commercial capabilities and orbital technologies. Researchers noted that the country is effectively running its Apollo, ISS, and commercial space eras all at once.
💡China’s progress has been fueled by government-backed investment, with commercial space ventures receiving $2.86 billion last year, up from $164 million in 2016. The report also highlights China’s international partnerships under its “Space Silk Road” initiative, involving more than 80 projects with countries including Russia, India, and Japan. U.S. experts say delays in NASA programs and proposed budget cuts threaten to widen the gap, leaving the U.S. at risk of being overtaken in both lunar and broader space capabilities.
USA-Thailand
NASA has carried Thai scientific research into orbit for the first time, with an experiment from Kasetsart University launched to the International Space Station (ISS). A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral on Sept. 15 carrying the Thailand Liquid Crystals in Space (TLC) project aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft on a resupply mission.
💡The TLC experiment, which studies liquid crystal behavior in microgravity, marks Thailand’s entry into NASA’s Commercial Resupply Service program.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**