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 news
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: Akaysha Energy Secures A$300M for Global Battery Expansion; X-FAB Boosts Sarawak Plant Capacity with $600M Upgrade; KLK Land Unveils $830M Tanjong Malim Industrial Hub; PsiQuantum Raises $1B to Scale Quantum Computing; and Vantage Data Centers Raises $1.6B for APAC Expansion
Environmental Sustainability: Fortescue Secures $2B RMB Loan for Green Energy Transition; HKMA Proposes Expanded Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance; Kaneka Malaysia Launches $7.1M Biomass Steam Plant; Clime Capital Launches SEACEF TAF for Renewable Energy Support; and MAS Closes $510M Green Investments Partnership Fund
Aviation: Australia Rules Out Darwin Airport Buyback Despite Fee Hike; Air Cambodia Eyes Up to 20 COMAC C909 Jets; Air India Rolls Out Tech to Cut 35,000 Tons of CO₂; Petronas Delivers Malaysia’s First Sustainable Aviation Fuel; and Singapore Updates Aviation Safety Plan for Severe Turbulence
Advanced Air Mobility: XPeng Completes First Overseas eVTOL Test in UAE; Hyundai’s Supernal Pauses Flagship eVTOL Program; Skyports to Build South Korea’s First eVTOL Vertiport Network; and Robo.ai and EVT Launch UAE eVTOL Joint Venture
Marine: Ningbo Ocean Shipping Invests $406M to Expand Fleet via Singapore; India Passes New Merchant Shipping and Cargo Bills; Singapore Acquires Four P-8A Maritime Surveillance Aircraft; Marco Polo Marine Builds Next-Gen Offshore Wind Vessel; and Dongjin Shipping Orders Three New Vessels from China
Space: China Completes Second Long March-10 Static Fire Test; Japanese Scientist Develops Plasma Thruster for Space Debris Removal; Astroscale Japan Signs Launch Deal with India for ISSA-J1 Mission; IHI and SatVu Partner on Japan Thermal IR Satellite Constellation; and NASA Bars Chinese Nationals from Agency Facilities
Financing & Investments
Global investment activity is accelerating in high-tech infrastructure, clean energy, and industrial development, with projects spanning multiple countries. Key trends include cross-border expansion, scalable manufacturing and data capabilities, and a strong emphasis on sustainability and next-generation technologies.
Australia
Australian battery storage developer Akaysha Energy has secured a A$300 million (US$197 million) corporate debt facility to fund its energy storage projects across Australia, the U.S., Japan, and Germany. The funding will support the development of large-scale battery systems, including the first 350 MW of its 850 MW Waratah Super Battery, currently the world’s largest by combined power and storage capacity.
💡The three-year facility, structured as a borrowing base loan, can expand as Akaysha’s asset portfolio grows, marking a first for the Australian renewables market. Supported by BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, ING, SMBC, and Westpac, the loan aims to accelerate the company’s development pipeline and strengthen grid flexibility amid rising renewable energy and electrification demand.
Malaysia
X-FAB has completed a $600 million expansion of its manufacturing facility in Sarawak, Malaysia, adding 6,000 square meters of cleanroom space and a new state-of-the-art production line. The project, completed within two years, increases the site’s monthly wafer start capacity from 30,000 to 40,000 and significantly boosts output for its 180nm BCD-on-SOI technology, which is widely used across automotive, industrial, and medical applications.
💡The upgraded facility positions X-FAB to meet rising global demand for advanced semiconductor solutions, particularly in areas requiring high performance, compact design, and reliability under extreme conditions. The expanded capacity will support next-generation products such as smart motor and LED drivers, battery management systems, and precision medical imaging technologies.
Malaysia
KLK Land, a subsidiary of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad, has unveiled KLK TechPark, a 1,500-acre integrated industrial hub in Tanjong Malim, Perak. The development, valued at MYR 3.5 billion ($830 million) over the next decade, will be rolled out in phases between 2025 and 2035, with 1,300 acres allocated for industrial activities and 200 acres for residential use.
💡The first phase will feature a 150-acre facility led by Chinese automaker BYD, with infrastructure expected to be completed by end-2026. A second phase, launching in 2025, will introduce a 200-acre vendor park to support automotive and manufacturing players.
USA-Australia
PsiQuantum has raised $1 billion in its Series E round, valuing the company at $7 billion as it pursues the development of fault-tolerant, utility-scale quantum computers. The round was led by BlackRock affiliates with participation from Temasek, Baillie Gifford, NVIDIA’s NVentures, Qatar Investment Authority, and others, alongside existing backers such as T. Rowe Price and Third Point Ventures. The funding will support the construction of quantum computing sites in Brisbane and Chicago, deployment of large-scale prototypes, and scaling of photonic chip production for fault-tolerant systems.
💡The company has developed a high-volume manufacturing process for photonic quantum chipsets at GlobalFoundries and integrated advanced Barium Titanate-enabled optical switches, key to scaling quantum architectures. PsiQuantum is also advancing supporting systems for cooling, networking, and control, including high-density modular cooling racks and fiber-based quantum networking.
USA-Singapore-Malaysia
Vantage Data Centers has secured a $1.6 billion investment, led by affiliates of GIC and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, to expand its Asia-Pacific platform. The funding will support the company’s acquisition of Yondr Group’s 300MW+ hyperscale data center campus in Johor, Malaysia. Once completed, the Johor site—one of Southeast Asia’s largest hyperscale campuses—will add significant capacity to Vantage’s portfolio, bringing its planned and operational IT capacity in APAC to 1GW.
💡The Johor campus, set on nearly 73 acres within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, will host three advanced data centers featuring direct-to-chip liquid cooling and other sustainability-focused technologies, with plans to achieve EDGE certification.
Environmental Sustainability
Asia-Pacific is advancing decarbonization through green finance, clean energy projects, and sustainable infrastructure, focusing on high-emission sector transitions and scalable low-carbon investments.
Australia-China
Australia-based iron ore miner Fortescue has secured a RMB 14.2 billion (US$2 billion) Renminbi-denominated syndicated term loan to support its decarbonization initiatives and general corporate purposes. The facility marks a first for an Australian corporate in RMB and will fund partnerships with Chinese suppliers and technology leaders as part of Fortescue’s green energy transition.
💡The loan aligns with Fortescue’s goal to power its Australian operations with green energy and achieve net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, part of a broader $6 billion investment to decarbonize its Pilbara operations. The company, a major supplier to China’s steel industry, ships more than 190 million tonnes of iron ore annually and cited shifting U.S. policy priorities as a factor in focusing green investment efforts in China.
Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has released a draft update to its Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, proposing the inclusion of transition activities alongside new sectors and categories. The expanded framework aims to guide investments in both environmentally sustainable activities and carbon-intensive sectors on a “time-bound decarbonization journey,” enabling high-emitting industries such as energy and manufacturing to shift toward net-zero operations by 2050. The draft introduces sunset dates for transition activities—2030 for maritime and 2035 for energy—to account for technological readiness, regulatory policies, and environmental impact.
The proposed “Phase 2A” would broaden the Taxonomy from its initial 12 activities across four sectors to cover manufacturing, information & communications technology, and 13 new categories, including electricity transmission, district heating and cooling, and low-carbon transport infrastructure. The draft also expands the Taxonomy’s focus from solely climate change mitigation to include climate adaptation, addressing physical risks from extreme weather.
💡The HKMA has opened a public consultation on the proposals, which will run until October 8, 2025, with future phases expected to further extend sector coverage and incorporate additional environmental objectives.
Japan-Malaysia
Kaneka Malaysia and BAC Renewable Energy have launched a MYR 30 million ($7.1 million) biomass steam plant in Gebeng. Located within Kaneka Malaysia’s chemical complex, the facility will deliver up to 30 tons per hour of renewable steam under a 20-year supply agreement, replacing natural gas-based systems. The project is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by about 30,000 tonnes annually, supporting Kaneka’s target of a 70 percent reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050.
💡Built on 3.4 acres, the plant will use palm-based waste and woodchips to strengthen local biomass supply chains. Equipped with advanced combustion, heat recovery, automated ash handling, and stringent emissions controls, it is scheduled to begin operations by the third quarter of 2026.
Singapore
Clime Capital has launched SEACEF TAF, an independent Technical Assistance Facility designed to complement its clean energy investments in Southeast Asia. The initiative provides both pre-investment support—such as project preparation, risk mitigation, and enabling public-private partnerships—and post-investment assistance, including operational efficiency improvements, carbon strategy development, impact measurement, and governance strengthening.
💡 Funded by a coalition of global development and philanthropic organizations including Tara Climate Foundation, CIFF, KOICA, FMO, and British International Investment, the facility aims to close the gap between available capital and scalable projects, creating conditions for renewable energy and low-carbon businesses to succeed.
Singapore
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has announced the first close of the Green Investments Partnership (GIP) with $510 million in committed capital from a consortium of global and regional investors. Managed by Pentagreen Capital, the fund will provide debt financing for renewable energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, sustainable transport, water, waste management, and other projects that are critical to Southeast and South Asia’s low-carbon transition.
💡Investors include government agencies, multilateral development banks, philanthropic organizations, and private institutions, with the European Commission backing the initiative under its Global Gateway program.
Aviation
Asia-Pacific aviation updates cover airport operations, fleet modernization, and sustainable fuel adoption, alongside enhanced safety measures. Common themes include cost management, emissions reduction, regional aircraft expansion, and proactive risk mitigation.
Australia
The federal government has no plans to buy back Darwin International Airport despite criticism over high landing fees. Operated by Airport Development Group (ADG) under a 50-year lease since 1998, the airport’s General Landing Charge (GLC) more than doubled from $36.39 to $77.71 per tonne on 1 July. Solomon MP Luke Gosling, Special Envoy for Northern Australia, called the hike an “unreasonable cash grab” but said the government is pressing ADG to act responsibly through regulatory oversight rather than repurchasing the airport.
💡ADG defended the increase, citing higher operating costs from the Department of Defence’s Main Runway Reconstruction Project, reduced aeronautical activity, and inflation-driven construction costs. The operator said the GLC follows ACCC and Productivity Commission pricing principles and emphasized it is engaging with governments and general aviation users to support the sector while maintaining compliance with industry standards
Cambodia-China
Air Cambodia may acquire up to 20 COMAC C909 regional jets as part of the Chinese manufacturer’s push to expand beyond mainland China. The deal, formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed on September 9, includes 10 confirmed orders and an option for 10 more, though financial terms were not disclosed.
💡The C909, China’s first jet-powered plane to enter commercial production, seats up to 90 passengers and has been operating in countries including Laos and Vietnam, but lacks certification in the U.S. and Europe.
India
Air India Group is deploying SITA OptiFlight®’s OptiClimb and SITA eWAS solutions across its Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 fleets to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The rollout, part of the airline’s broader modernization strategy, is expected to cut approximately 35,000 tons of CO₂ annually. Widebody fleet integration is planned for a later phase.
💡OptiClimb provides customized climb schedules for each aircraft, reducing fuel burn during energy-intensive flight phases, while SITA eWAS delivers real-time weather updates and predictive forecasting to optimize routing and turbulence avoidance.
Malaysia
Petronas has delivered Malaysia’s first blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport for Malaysia Aviation Group. The ISCC-certified SAF, blended locally and compliant with CORSIA standards, was supplied through Malaysian Refining Company’s multi-product pipeline, establishing an integrated supply chain for continuous and scalable availability.
💡The SAF will be used on Malaysia Airlines’ Kuala Lumpur–London service between September 1 and 16, 2025.
Singapore
Singapore’s updated National Aviation Safety Plan now classifies severe turbulence as a state-level safety risk, following two 2024 accidents that caused injuries and one death. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is implementing enhanced crew training, improved weather modeling, and turbulence awareness tools to help pilots avoid hazardous areas.
💡Turbulence accounts for around 40% of passenger injuries globally, with severe incidents over the North Atlantic up 55% in 40 years. Research predicts rising wind shear and atmospheric instability will increase risks further, prompting airlines like Southwest to keep seatbelts fastened longer and adopt forecasting technologies to protect passengers and crew.
Advanced Air Mobility
Asia-Pacific eVTOL developments include international test flights, joint ventures, and infrastructure projects, while some programs face pauses and leadership changes. Efforts span urban air mobility, government transport applications, and regional market expansion.
China
XPeng AeroHT’s Land Aircraft Carrier air module has completed its first overseas test flight in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The test was conducted under the UAE’s first-ever crewed flight permit granted to a Chinese eVTOL aircraft.
💡The flight coincided with a strategic cooperation agreement with the RAK Transport Authority, under which XPeng AeroHT will explore applications for government transport, tourism, emergency rescue, and other scenarios, leveraging the UAE’s supportive policies and geographic advantages.
South Korea
South Korean automaker Hyundai’s eVTOL subsidiary, Supernal, is pausing its flagship aircraft program as it undergoes a strategic review amid leadership changes. The program, which began tethered flight testing in March, has yet to achieve untethered or production-intent flights.
💡The pause follows the departure of CEO Jaiwon Shin and CTO David McBride, with interim COO David Rottblatt taking over operational responsibilities. Supernal also cut more than 50 staff across its California facilities, leaving around 500 employees.
UK-South Korea
Skyports Infrastructure will develop South Korea’s first commercial vertiport network for eVTOL air taxis on Jeju Island, under a memorandum of understanding with the local council. The London-based company will plan, build, and operate vertiport facilities at sites including Jeju International Airport, Jungmun, and Seongsan, where flights could cut existing 60-minute drives to 10-minute trips. The urban air mobility network is expected to become operational in 2028.
💡As part of the agreement, Skyports will select an eVTOL manufacturer for its launch partner. Potential candidates include Overair, recently acquired by Archer Aviation, and Joby Aviation, which has flown its JAS4-1 aircraft in Korea and is collaborating on a vertiport network in Dubai
China-UAE
Robo.ai Inc. and Ewatt (Nanjing) Aerospace (also known as EVT Aerotechnics) have launched RoVTOL, a UAE-based joint venture focused on global deployment of eVTOL aircraft. The venture combines Robo.ai’s market access and regulatory support in the Middle East with Ewatt’s technology and licensing rights for eVTOL products.
💡RoVTOL will focus on global sales and local assembly of eVTOL models including the ET1, ET2, ET3 (electric and hydrogen-hybrid), and ET9 passenger aircraft, along with derivative cargo models. Applications range from urban air mobility and emergency rescue to tourism, surveillance, and logistics. The joint venture aims to leverage a “Technology + Resources + Localization” model to accelerate market entry and establish competitive advantages in the global eVTOL sector.
Marine
Shipping updates cover fleet expansion, modernization, and regulatory reforms across Asia, with investments in new vessels, offshore wind-ready ships, and maritime surveillance aircraft. Projects aim to strengthen operational capacity, safety, and sustainability.
China-Singapore
Ningbo Ocean Shipping plans to invest about CNY 2.9bn ($406.5m) through its Singapore arm to establish two new subsidiaries and expand its fleet. Ningbo Ocean Shipping Singapore Longitude will receive CNY 1.2bn ($168.2m) to build and operate four 2,700 teu boxships, while Singapore Latitude will get CNY 1.7bn ($238.3m) for four 4,300 teu vessels.
💡All vessels, ordered from Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, will be funded via the company’s own or self-raised capital. The 2,700 teu ships are set for 2027 delivery, and the 4,300 teu vessels are scheduled for 2029.
India
Parliament has passed two major shipping bills on September 3, marking a significant update to India’s maritime laws. The Lok Sabha approved the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, replacing the 1958 Act with a framework aimed at streamlining governance, aligning with international standards, and enhancing safety, environmental protection, and seafarer welfare. The bill contains 16 Parts and 325 clauses to simplify compliance and support the growth of India’s shipping industry.
💡On the same day, the Rajya Sabha cleared the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, updating the 1925 law and incorporating the Hague-Visby Rules to simplify maritime trade, reduce legal disputes, and increase transparency in cargo movement.
Singapore
Singapore will acquire four Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft as part of efforts to modernize its maritime security capabilities, according to the Ministry of Defence. The new aircraft will replace the ageing Fokker 50 fleet, which has been in service since 1993, and are expected to enhance the Singapore Armed Forces’ ability to conduct maritime surveillance and counter submarine threats. This move follows earlier announcements of broader modernization plans, including new submarines, advanced infantry fighting vehicles with anti-drone features, and the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets scheduled for delivery from 2026.
💡The decision was confirmed during high-level meetings in Washington, where both sides reaffirmed their longstanding defence partnership and discussed opportunities for expanded cooperation. The visit also included exchanges on regional security issues and potential collaboration in areas such as research and development to address emerging threats
Singapore-Norway
Singapore offshore vessel operator Marco Polo Marine has selected Norwegian designer Salt Ship Design to develop its next-generation CSOV, the CSOV Plus. Unlike standard vessels with retrofitted walk-to-work systems, CSOV Plus is purpose-built for dual operations in offshore wind and oil & gas, supporting the full lifecycle of wind projects, including construction, cable installation, maintenance, and technician transfer.
💡The vessel features a battery-hybrid power system, is methanol-ready, and includes a 100-tonne active heave-compensated crane for heavy subsea and wind components. Built at Marco Polo Marine’s Batam yard, construction starts in Q2 2026 with delivery targeted for Q2 2028.
South Korea
South Korea’s Dongjin Shipping is expanding its fleet abroad for the first time, ordering three 1,100 teu vessels from China’s Yangzijiang Shipbuilding in a $70m deal. Each ship is valued at $23m, with deliveries slated for 2027–2028.
💡Previously reliant on domestic yards Dae Sun and HD Hyundai Mipo, Dongjin operates regional feeder services linking South Korea, China, and Japan, with routes into Southeast Asia. The newbuilds aim to strengthen its position amid rising demand and aging fleets in the competitive intra-Asia market.
Space
Asia-Pacific space activities include launch vehicle testing, space debris removal, satellite missions, and international collaborations, while U.S.-China tensions restrict Chinese access to NASA facilities. Initiatives support lunar exploration, orbital debris management, and national satellite capabilities.
China
China has successfully completed the second static fire test of its Long March-10 carrier rocket at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan Province. The 320-second test, conducted on Friday, saw all seven engines of the rocket’s first stage ignite simultaneously, validating the performance of the power system and the reliability of recovery-phase procedures. China Manned Space Agency said the two planned static fire tests for the prototype have now been completed.
💡The Long March-10 series, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, is designed to support China’s manned lunar exploration. The series includes the three-stage Long March-10 with two boosters for manned spacecraft and lunar lander missions, and the two-stage reusable Long March-10A for the Mengzhou manned spacecraft and Tianzhou cargo craft.
Japan
A Japanese scientist has developed a new technology using a plasma thruster to remove space debris without physical contact, reducing collision risks and facilitating its deorbiting.
The system, designed by Dr. Kazunori Takahashi of Tohoku University, uses a “two-jet electrode-less plasma ejection thruster” that simultaneously fires one plasma jet at the debris to slow it down and another in the opposite direction to stabilize the cleaning satellite. A special magnetic field, called a “cusp,” concentrates the plasma, tripling the deceleration force in lab tests and allowing debris to fall out of orbit more quickly. The system can also operate with argon, a cost-effective and abundant gas.
💡Since 1957, over 15,000 satellites have been launched, with only about 7,000 currently operational, leaving a vast amount of inactive material in orbit.
Japan-India
Astroscale Japan, a subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings, has signed a launch agreement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) for its ISSA-J1 (In-situ Space Situational Awareness-Japan 1) mission. The spacecraft is set to launch on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in spring 2027.
💡Developed under Japan’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, ISSA-J1 will leverage Astroscale’s expertise in rendezvous and proximity operations to inspect and characterize two large pieces of orbital debris. The mission is in the final design stages, with assembly and testing set to begin soon.
Japan-UK
IHI Corporation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UK-based Global Satellite Vu Ltd (SatVu) to collaborate on developing a high-resolution thermal infrared (IR) satellite constellation to enhance Japan’s sovereign capabilities. The agreement, formalized during the DSEI UK defence event on September 10, 2025, will see the companies evaluate SatVu’s thermal data, define constellation requirements, and explore domestic satellite manufacturing and operational structures in Japan.
💡SatVu specializes in thermal IR satellite technology for national security, economic monitoring, and climate applications.
USA-China
NASA has blocked Chinese citizens with valid U.S. visas from accessing its facilities, effectively barring them from working at the agency, Bloomberg reported. The restriction, confirmed by NASA on September 5, applies to Chinese nationals working as contractors or students, preventing them from using the agency’s systems, materials, and networks.
💡The move comes amid growing U.S.-China tensions in space, as Washington already bars Chinese astronauts from the International Space Station and limits scientific collaboration over national security concerns.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**