Transportation

Hitachi will use quasi-quantum computing technology to automate and optimize train operations.
Technology

Hitachi to use quasi-quantum tech to optimize train operations

Japanese giant will shorten complex, multiday staffing calculations to minutes

12 October 2021
AirAsia is ready to spread its wings again as Malaysia ends restrictions on domestic travel.
Interview

AirAsia to reopen all Malaysian routes, push for overseas flights

Carrier president says service to Thailand, Sri Lanka and Maldives possible soon

12 October 2021
Air India has incurred losses since its 2007 merger with another state-owned domestic carrier, Indian Airlines, as it struggled to compete with private airlines.
Transportation

Air India flies back to Tata Group after 7 decades

Conglomerate wins bid to buy troubled government airline it founded in 1930s

9 October 2021
A Seibu rail line: Seibu Holdings has put subsidiary Seibu Construction up for sale. 
Companies

Japanese rail group Seibu to sell construction unit amid COVID slump

Company accelerates asset sales as commuters and vacationers stay home

8 October 2021
Workers unload a Hitachi-made train carriage at a port in Ho Chi Minh City. (Vietnam News Agency)
Transportation

Vietnam urban rail projects fall years late as payments lag

Stalled Ho Chi Minh City line leaves Hitachi and other contractors hanging

6 October 2021
A traffic jam at an Indonesian toll gate in May: ST Engineering looks to bring TransCore's electronic toll collection and other systems to Southeast Asia.
Business deals

N.Y. congestion pricing operator bought by Singapore company

Defense contractor ST Engineering revs up smart city business with $2.7bn deal

5 October 2021
Yangshan Deep Water Port in Shanghai. Shipping costs from China to the U.S. skyrocketed after the start of the pandemic and have now moderated but remain high.
Caixin

Cost of shipping between China and U.S. plunges

Looming off-season and power crunch have forced prices down after record highs

4 October 2021
China's C919 passenger jet will take on rival narrow-body planes from Boeing and Airbus.
2 October 2021
HNA Group -- a web of subsidiaries spun around a core airline business -- has finally recognized the overall size of its liabilities.
China debt crunch

HNA bankruptcy reaches turning point, putting $170bn size on debt

Chinese conglomerate's restructuring expected to conclude in November

1 October 2021
Cambodia's first oil field. The government says $21 million worth of crude pumped from the concession was stolen by a tanker crew. (Screenshot from KrisEnergy's YouTube channel)
Commodities

Cambodia charges tanker crew with 'theft' of crude oil

Government demands extradition from Indonesia where ship has been seized

30 September 2021
A Hainan Airlines Boeing 787 in Beijing: The carrier is the core unit of Chinese conglomerate HNA Group.
China debt crunch

HNA restructuring advances with $5.7bn airline funding

Investors for infrastructure unit approve capital expansion

29 September 2021
CIMC said its leverage will increase 'slightly' after buying Maersk Container Industry. (Photos courtesy of CIMC and Maersk)
Transportation

China's CIMC to buy Maersk's cold container business for $1.1bn

World's largest shipping box maker targets refrigerated market

28 September 2021
This handout photo by Indonesia's navy shows the Bahamian-flagged Strovolos (right) berthed at a port in Riau.
Energy

Indonesia accused over oil tanker carrying 'stolen' Cambodian oil

Manager and owner claim ship's crew interrogated as part of coercion campaign

28 September 2021
The Japanese government will lift the COVID state of emergency that covers Tokyo and 18 other prefectures on Thursday.
Coronavirus

Japan to lift COVID emergency on Thursday

Shares in travel agencies, karaoke chains and wedding operators soar

27 September 2021
HNA Chairman Chen Feng is a co-founder of the Chinese conglomerate. It rapidly acquired international assets after starting as a domestic airline company.
Most read in 2021

Bankrupt HNA's chairman and CEO taken away by Chinese police

Chen Feng and Adam Tan believed to be in custody, but no allegations revealed

25 September 2021
Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal with the all-female staff at the company's new electric scooter factory.
Startups

Indian startup Ola opens all-female electric scooter factory

Ride hailer claims plant is world's largest staffed entirely by women

23 September 2021
Companies around the world are racing to be the first to bring a flying car to market. (Photo courtesy of SkyDrive) 
Business trends

Japan flying car startup looks to Osaka to help it take off

Ensuring safety and building public trust is essential: SkyDrive CEO

22 September 2021
Some Southeast Asian countries have set ambitious targets for EV adoption, but they still have a ways to go to convince consumers.
Asia Insight

Slow charge: ASEAN aims to bring lofty EV goals within range

Uneven policies leave drivers wary as COP26 turns spotlight on green transport

21 September 2021
Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to invest in green shipbuilding technologies, including ammonia and hydrogen-fueled ships and offshore hydrogen production facilities.
IPO

South Korea's Hyundai Heavy shares soar in stock market listing

Leading shipbuilder sees future in developing green fuel technologies

17 September 2021
Taiwanese battery-swapping scooter company Gogoro is heading for the Nasdaq. 
Transportation

Taiwan scooter maker Gogoro to list on Nasdaq in $2.35bn SPAC deal

Battery-swapping bikes to penetrate China and India markets

16 September 2021
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, at left, sees cooperation with South Korean companies on electric vehicle batteries as a major step in the country's economic development. (Photo courtesy of Indonesia's presidential office)
Technology

Hyundai and LG start building $1.1bn EV battery plant in Indonesia

Jokowi says factory comes as nation tries to escape 'trap' of raw materials

15 September 2021
As of fiscal 2019, JAL was recycling less than 8% of the food waste from preparing in-flight meals.
Environment

JAL to recycle 100% of airline food waste into fertilizer

Japanese carrier will also change preparation methods and ditch single-use plastic

15 September 2021
Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways is seeing recovering demand from international travelers following a slump due to the pandemic. (Photo by Yoshiaki Inoue)
Transportation

ANA to increase international flights

Airline to respond to recovering demand in Asia and North America

14 September 2021
Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said on Friday that Beijing will "treat ASEAN as a priority."
Belt and Road

China promises to raise imports from ASEAN ahead of new rail link

Train line to Vientiane, third connection for the bloc, due to open Dec. 2

10 September 2021
Thai e-commerce unicorn Flash Express is joining with AIF Group to develop Laos market.  (Photo courtesy of the company) 
Business deals

Thai unicorn Flash Express partners with AIF Group in Laos

E-commerce startup looks to expand later in Cambodia and Vietnam using Lao network

9 September 2021