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
Australian Space Summit and Exhibition 2025
The Australian Space Summit & Exhibition will take place from May 27-28 at the International Convention Centre Sydney. This marks the event's fourth consecutive year, bringing together industry leaders to explore advancements in the space sector.
Learn more about the event here.
Asian Sky Forum 2025
The Asian Sky Forum 2025 will take place from June 24–26 at the Avani+ Riverside in Bangkok, Thailand. With 200 to 250 attendees expected, the forum will bring together key stakeholders including aircraft operators, owners, charter companies, MRO providers, financiers, regulators, and industry suppliers for networking and in-depth discussions on the future of business aviation in Asia.
Learn more about the event here.
The Advanced Air Mobility Asia Symposium (AAM Asia)
The Advanced Air Mobility Asia Symposium (AAM Asia) will take place from September 16-18, 2025, at Aichi Sky Expo, Japan. The event will explore Asia’s evolving Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem, covering use cases, infrastructure, air traffic management (ATM/UTM), MRO, and regulations.
Learn more about the symposium here.
Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC (ITAP) 2025
Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC (ITAP), the region’s leading Industry 4.0 event, will return to Singapore EXPO from 15–17 October 2025. The event connects global industry leaders and innovators to accelerate digital transformation, showcase cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, and promote sustainable industrial practices.
Learn more about the event here.
Summary
Financing & Investments: ANZ Businesses Embrace AI to Future-Proof Supply Chains; Egune AI Secures USD 3.5M to Advance Mongolia’s AI Ecosystem; VFlowTech Raises $20.5M to Scale Vanadium Battery Tech and Expand Globally; Epic Angels Backs NZ Biotech Startup Opo Bio; Alternō Secures Series A Funding to Scale Sand-Based Heat Storage Technology; and Panmnesia Raises USD 30M to Build Next-Gen AI Infrastructure
Environmental Sustainability: Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre Begins Continuous SAF Supply; PH Launches Sustainability Reporting Guide for Exporters; Keppel and Huawei Partner to Advance Renewable Energy Solutions; Singapore Airlines Advances SAF Use; and Thailand Launches Biodiversity Finance Plan to Boost Conservation Goals
Aviation: Asia-Pacific Aviation Growth Threatened by Supply Delays and SAF Shortages; Asia-Pacific and Middle East Airports Prepare for 7% Annual Growth; India Revokes Security Clearance for Turkish Firm Celebi Amid Tensions with Pakistan; Mumbai Airport Launches Next-Gen Operations Control Centre with Advanced Digital Platform; and Singapore Breaks Ground on Changi Airport Terminal 5
Advanced Air Mobility: Eve Air Mobility Partners with UI Helicopter to Boost AAM in South Korea; and Bank of America Initiates Buy Rating on EHang Holdings with $26 Target
Marine: DCSA Enables First Interoperable Electronic Bill of Lading Transaction; NYK Secures 27-Year Deal for Vehicle Logistics Terminal in Barcelona; Keyfield, ETSA Partner to Target Indonesia's Offshore Marine Sector; Megamas Resources Eyes New Cable Laying Vessel with German Shipyard; and Synera Takes Majority Control of Taiwan's Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm
Space: Soviet-Era Venus Probe Kosmos 482 Crashes Back to Earth After 53 Years; Malaysia Adopts Satellite Tech for Smarter Water Leak Detection; Bitget Brings Satellite Internet to Remote Philippine Schools; Vietnam and South Korea Boost Forestry Cooperation with Satellite Monitoring; and Vietnam and Russia Deepen Space and Science Ties in Strategic Partnership
Financing & Investments
Australia and New Zealand
Businesses in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) are ramping up investment in AI-driven supply chain technologies to enhance resilience, improve productivity, and meet evolving customer demands, according to IDC’s new report “AI-Driven Orchestration for the Modern Supply Chain.”
Based on a survey of 742 leaders across the Asia/Pacific region, the study highlights AI’s growing role in automation, predictive analytics, and intelligent warehousing, with nearly all respondents identifying visibility and agility as top priorities.
💡In ANZ, companies are focusing on multi-shoring, cybersecurity, faster product innovation, and improved consumer responsiveness. Warehouse automation, especially using generative AI, is already improving operations, as seen in examples like Silk Logistics.
Mongolia
Mongolia-based Egune AI has raised USD 3.5 million from Golomt Bank to expand its AI infrastructure and boost national capabilities. Founded in 2022, Egune develops large language models in Mongolian and claims to support over 70% of the country’s AI systems.
💡The funding will support infrastructure growth, user engagement, and development of culturally relevant AI tools aimed at reducing digital inequality in underserved markets.
Singapore
Singapore-based energy storage firm VFlowTech has secured $20.5 million in fresh funding to scale its vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) technology and expand its global footprint. The round was led by Granite Asia, with new investors including Antares Ventures, EDBI, MOL PLUS, and PSA Ventures, alongside returning backers such as İnci Holding and Wavemaker Partners.
💡The capital will support VFlowTech’s efforts to grow manufacturing, enhance its AI-powered energy management platform, and develop critical supply chains like vanadium recycling and electrolyte innovation. The firm plans to expand across Asia and the Middle East, while contributing to grid stability, renewable integration, and industrial decarbonization.
Singapore-New Zealand
Singapore-based Epic Angels, Asia-Pacific’s largest female-only investment collective, has joined a funding round for New Zealand biotech startup Opo Bio. The round was led by WNT Ventures with support from Booster Innovation Fund, Inventors Fund, and Callaghan Innovation.
💡Opo Bio, founded by Olivia Ogilvie and Laura Domigan at the University of Auckland, develops cell lines for cultivated meat, collagen, and medical applications. The new funding will support R&D expansion, patent development, and scalable bio-manufacturing solutions aimed at cutting livestock-related emissions.
Singapore-Vietnam
Climate-tech startup Alternō has raised a Series A round led by UntroD Capital Asia and ADB Ventures to accelerate deployment of its patented sand-based thermal energy storage systems. The Singapore-founded, Vietnam-based firm uses low-cost, locally sourced materials to store heat up to 600 °C, offering a scalable, zero-emission solution for industrial decarbonization and off-grid energy access.
💡Already in use by companies like PepsiCo and Mondelez in Vietnam, Alternō’s sand battery technology supports clean heat in sectors like agro-processing and rural manufacturing. With the new funding, Alternō plans to expand across Asia and launch community-scale products, including the Alternō One and Alternō Hybrid, while offering flexible financing models to boost adoption in emerging markets.
South Korea
South Korea’s Panmnesia has secured USD 30 million to advance its modular AI accelerators and reconfigurable data center architecture. The company leverages chiplet-based designs, manycore processors, and in-memory processing to optimize performance for large language models and recommendation engines.
💡The funding will support the development of scalable, energy-efficient systems aimed at enhancing flexibility and reducing power usage across AI workloads.
Environmental Sustainability
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre (HKBAC) has started providing continuous supplies of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to its business aviation customers, becoming the second provider in Asia after Jet Aviation Singapore. Currently, the SAF is blended at 5% with conventional jet fuel due to technical certification requirements.
💡The centre is also expanding its terminal facilities at Hong Kong International Airport to double its business jet handling capacity by the end of 2025.
Philippines
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) have introduced the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines for Exporters (SuRGE), a standardized framework to help PEZA-registered business enterprises (RBEs) report and track their sustainability efforts.
The initiative aims to future-proof exporters by aligning with global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, especially in markets like the U.S. and EU that are implementing strict sustainability requirements.
💡The pilot phase will run through 2026, involving 50 volunteer manufacturing RBEs, with support from the Swiss Embassy and De La Salle University's Animo Labs. PEZA officials emphasized that while sustainability reporting will remain voluntary for now, it may become mandatory as international buyers increasingly demand compliance.
Singapore
Keppel’s Infrastructure Division and Huawei International have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (BESS) technologies. The partnership aims to support electrification and carbon reduction efforts across ASEAN, focusing on projects like interconnected power grids, low-carbon data centers, and industrial parks.
💡The collaboration will leverage Keppel’s AI-driven Operations Nerve Centre for real-time monitoring and optimization, initially piloting demand response programs in Singapore with plans to expand regionally.
Singapore
Singapore Airlines has purchased 1,000 tonnes of SAF from Neste’s Singapore refinery and 2,000 tonnes of SAF certificates from US-based World Energy. These deals, completed in early 2025, are expected to cut over 9,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions and support SIA’s target of 5% SAF usage by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.
💡The airline is also part of the Green Fuel Forward initiative to increase SAF demand in Asia-Pacific.
Thailand
Thailand has unveiled its Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP), a national framework aimed at mobilizing financial resources to support the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems.
💡 By enhancing financial mechanisms and partnerships at national and global levels, Thailand aims to protect natural resources while promoting sustainable livelihoods and long-term economic resilience.
Aviation
Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific aviation sector, the largest in the world, faces major challenges despite strong demand. The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) warns that over 20% of aircraft deliveries in 2025 will be delayed due to ongoing supply chain disruptions and rising tariffs, increasing costs and slowing production.
💡AAPA’s Director General Subhas Menon highlighted that these delays force airlines to keep older, less efficient planes in service, jeopardizing the industry’s 2050 net-zero emissions goal. SAF production is also falling short, with only 1 million tonnes produced in 2024 against a 1.5 million tonne target, hindered by high costs and weak regulatory support.
Asia-Pacific
Airports in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East are set for nearly 7% annual air travel growth over the next 25 years, says Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East. At their recent regional assembly in New Delhi, members resolved to optimise current capacity and expand infrastructure sustainably.
💡The resolution focuses on modernising slot allocation, improving air traffic management (including A-CDM and cross-border coordination), expanding airport facilities, encouraging diverse financing like PPPs, and adopting light regulatory oversight. It also highlights integrating sustainability and innovation, such as climate resilience and SAF.
India
The Indian government has revoked the security clearance of Turkish-owned Celebi Airport Services India, citing national security concerns related to Turkey’s support for Pakistan during recent India-Pakistan hostilities. The move immediately halts Celebi’s ground handling operations at nine major airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
The decision follows public protests and political pressure after Turkey expressed backing for Pakistan following India’s retaliatory airstrikes against terror camps.
💡Celebi’s parent company denied any wrongdoing and plans to challenge the order. Meanwhile, airport operators like Adani Airport Holdings have terminated their contracts with Celebi to ensure uninterrupted ground handling services, transitioning operations to alternate providers.
India
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has unveiled a state-of-the-art Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC) equipped with the aviio digital platform, enhancing real-time situational awareness and operational efficiency.
💡The upgraded AOCC features three large video walls, advanced communication tools, and an Aerodrome Emergency Control Centre, enabling rapid coordination across stakeholders including airlines, ground handlers, and customs. Designed for mobile-first, data-driven management, aviio supports seamless collaboration across departments.
Singapore
Singapore has officially begun construction on Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5), a next-generation mega terminal set to open in the mid-2030s. Expected to handle 50 million passengers annually in its first phase, T5 will be fully integrated with the existing terminals and powered by cutting-edge automation and green infrastructure.
💡T5 will include Singapore’s first airport ground transportation centre, expanded train links, and seamless connections to air and sea transport. The terminal will also feature advanced sustainability features such as a massive rooftop solar system, efficient energy management, and flexible pandemic-ready design.
Advanced Air Mobility
Brazil-South Korea
Eve Air Mobility and South Korea’s leading helicopter operator UI Helicopter have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance the country’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem.
💡The collaboration aims to develop the technical, operational, and infrastructure expertise needed to support eVTOL adoption in South Korea.
USA-China
Bank of America has started coverage of EHang Holdings, assigning a Buy rating and a $26 price target per American depositary share. EHang’s flagship EH216-S, a pilotless passenger and cargo aircraft certified by China’s aviation regulator in 2024, is currently the only eVTOL model sold in China.
💡The bank expects EHang to maintain dominance over the next five years due to its technological edge and regulatory approvals. The firm projects China’s eVTOL shipments to grow at a 62% CAGR, reaching 4,000 units by 2030, driven by tourism demand and supportive policies.
Marine
Global
The Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) has completed the world’s first interoperable electronic bill of lading (eBL) transaction, overcoming platform fragmentation that has limited eBL adoption.
💡Powered by DCSA’s interoperability framework, this milestone allows seamless, secure exchange of eBLs across different systems, paving the way for more efficient, paperless global trade.
Japan-Spain
Japan’s Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) has been granted a 27-year concession to develop a finished-vehicle logistics terminal at the Port of Barcelona. Slated to begin operations in 2027, the facility will feature a fully automated multilevel parking system and renewable energy use, with a capacity of 180,000 vehicles annually.
💡NYK plans to establish the port as a key logistics hub for the Western Mediterranean and North Africa, expanding its European presence alongside its existing terminal in Zeebrug
Malaysia-Indonesia
Keyfield International has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia’s PT Elnusa Trans Samudera (ETSA) to explore marine service opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
💡Under the deal, ETSA will lead tender sourcing while Keyfield Offshore, its subsidiary, will provide vessels and crew, especially for cable-laying and subsea operations. The partnership is part of Keyfield’s broader plan to expand internationally.
Singapore-Germany
Singapore’s Megamas Resources has signed a letter of intent with Germany’s Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven to explore building a new multi-purpose cable laying vessel, with an option for a second. Partnering with Crewstone International, the project aims to tackle the global shortage of specialised offshore vessels supporting renewable energy and subsea telecom sectors.
💡The vessel, designed with Ulstein and meeting DNV’s Clean and Recyclable standards, is expected for delivery by late 2027.
Taiwan
Synera Renewable Energy has acquired a 26% stake in the 376MW Formosa 2 offshore wind farm from Macquarie Asset Management, raising its ownership to 51% and becoming the project's majority shareholder.
The move, exercised through Synera’s right of first refusal, comes as Formosa 2 marks its second anniversary of commercial operation—the first project to do so under Taiwan’s second-phase offshore wind development. JERA retains the remaining 49% stake.
💡Synera aims to enhance performance and governance of the wind farm while supporting Taiwan’s clean energy goals and offshore wind sector.
Space
Asia-Russia
The long-orbiting Soviet spacecraft Kosmos 482 reentered Earth’s atmosphere on May 10, likely falling harmlessly into the Indian Ocean west of Jakarta, according to Russia’s space agency Roscosmos. Originally launched in 1972 as part of the Venera program to explore Venus, the probe failed to escape Earth’s orbit due to a rocket malfunction and had been circling the planet for over five decades.
💡The 1,190-pound (495-kilogram) spacecraft's descent highlights growing concerns over space debris, with thousands of satellites currently in orbit and more being launched as part of expanding megaconstellations like Starlink and Project Kuiper. Though most reentries are harmless, increasing frequency raises the risk of environmental impact and potential ground damage.
Malaysia
Premier Water Services (PWS) of Malaysia has entered a collaboration with Japanese space tech company Tenchijin Inc. to deploy satellite-based water leak detection technology in regions including Johor, Selangor, and Penang. Effective from May 1, 2025, the agreement introduces Tenchijin’s KnoWaterleak system, which uses satellite imagery and AI to identify areas at risk of pipeline leaks.
💡The initiative aims to boost water management efficiency and reduce losses through early detection, offering potential savings in both cost and resources.
Philippines
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget has launched its Starlink Program in Siargao, Philippines, providing high-speed satellite internet to remote schools including Espoir School of Life and Barangay Pitogo’s public school. The effort targets digital inclusion by improving access to online education, healthcare resources, and economic opportunities.
💡Funded through Bitget’s $20 million Blockchain 4 Youth and Blockchain 4 Her initiatives, the project aims to build digital finance and blockchain literacy in underserved areas. By focusing on connectivity, Bitget sets a precedent for expanding crypto adoption through infrastructure support in Southeast Asia.
Vietnam-South Korea
Vietnam and South Korea have agreed to strengthen collaboration on satellite-based forest monitoring and carbon reduction under REDD+ initiatives. During a meeting in Seoul, both sides discussed piloting AI and geospatial tools to support forest conservation and carbon accounting at the district level.
💡A formal MOU is expected later this year, advancing joint efforts to achieve measurable emissions cuts and support South Korea’s goal of securing 5 million tons of verified international carbon offsets.
Vietnam-Russia
Vietnam and Russia have agreed to broaden cooperation in space science and technology, reaffirming their commitment to the peaceful use of outer space during General Secretary To Lam’s visit to Moscow. Both nations supported the creation of a global treaty to prevent space militarization and pledged joint efforts in satellite development, digital transformation, and high-tech workforce training.
💡They also committed to accelerating the construction of a Nuclear Science and Technology Center in Vietnam and enhancing collaboration at the Vietnam–Russia Tropical Center, including the transfer of the research vessel Professor Gagarinsky.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**