Transportation

Hitachi Transport's new logistics centers in India will handle automotive and electronic components. (Image courtesy of Hitachi Transport)
Transportation

Hitachi Transport to build 4 logistics centers in India

Japanese shipper invests $100m to bolster distribution network in growing hub

24 June 2021
Garuda Indonesia CEO Irfan Setiaputra, pictured during an interview in 2020, informed parliament that the airline lost $2 billion last year. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
Transportation

Garuda Indonesia posts $2bn net loss in 2020, CEO says

Debt repayment suspension among options being considered to manage COVID fallout

22 June 2021
A prototype maglev train sits at a testing center in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
Politics

Japan maglev critic reelected in Shizuoka, claiming green mandate

Governor's victory casts uncertainty over rail line already behind schedule

21 June 2021
Garuda Indonesia is facing a host of financial woes brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
Transportation

Garuda Indonesia share trading halted after Islamic bond default

COVID-induced headaches mount for carrier struggling with debts

18 June 2021
Transportation stocks are rebounding on hopes for more economic activity as COVID restrictions ease. (File photo by Tomoki Mera) 
Markets

Japan's vaccine push and easing COVID curbs lift transport stocks

Airlines, railways and leisure companies rally as emergency decree expires

18 June 2021
Mitsubishi HC Capital says its acquisition of CAI International will make it the world's second-largest container leasing company. (Screenshot from MUFG and CAI International websites) 
Transportation

Mitsubishi unit expands US logistics reach in $2.9bn deal

Target CAI International is a big player in marine container leasing

18 June 2021
A SPAC listing deal gives Anthony Tan 60.4% of Grab's voting rights despite his 2.2% ownership stake. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura) 
Business Spotlight

Grab's $40bn SPAC plan puts CEO Anthony Tan in driver's seat

Super app founder's huge voting power will bring fresh scrutiny of leadership

18 June 2021
JAXA's design for a supersonic jet features a long, pointed nose to minimize sonic booms. (Image courtesy of JAXA)
Transportation

Supersonic-jet R&D takes flight in Japan's aerospace sector

IHI, Mitsubishi Heavy and others team with JAXA to level up from subcontracting role

17 June 2021
The approved rehabilitation plan is designed to tackle Thai Airways' unprofitable businesses.
Transportation

Thai Airways clears legal hurdles to launch rehab plan

Bankruptcy court approves restructuring of cash-strapped flag carrier

15 June 2021
Vehicle transporters that use traditional fossil fuels produce 25% more carbon emissions than LNG-fueled carriers. (Photo by H.aruga)
Climate Change

Nippon Yusen to order 12 LNG-fueled car transporters for $912m

Japan shipper is responding to automakers' aims to cut emissions in supply chains

14 June 2021
The BAM railway, also known as the "second Trans-Siberian Railway," is a major route connecting Europe and Asia.
Transportation

Russia uses military to modernize Far East railway

Prison labor also an option to offset lack of foreign workers amid COVID

13 June 2021
AirAsia planes at Kuala Lumpur International Airport: AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes sees operations taking about two years to return to normal.
Transportation

Southeast Asia carriers struggle as global travel recovers unevenly

Vaccination drives in main markets sway earnings amid pandemic's grip

13 June 2021
Japan Airlines do not expect a full recovery in the number of business travelers, even in the post-coronavirus period. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Companies

Japan Airlines to rev up LCC network amid COVID difficulties

The company's president counts on a recovery in Asian tourism demand

12 June 2021
NFC Indonesia and delivery company SiCepat Express are acquiring a majority stake in electric motorcycle manufacturer Volta Indonesia Semesta. (Photo courtesy of Volta Indonesia Semesta)
Transportation

Indonesia's NFC, SiCepat launch electric motorbike partnership

Venture rides Southeast Asian country's domestic EV and battery ambitions

11 June 2021
Didi Chuxing is China's biggest ride-hailing company, while Japan's SoftBank Group is its top shareholder. (Photo courtesy of Didi)
IPO

Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi files for mega IPO in US

SoftBank, Uber and Tencent listed as largest backers

11 June 2021
Since February, visiting Chinese shoppers have been able to buy goods duty-free in Hainan, then have them packaged and delivered to their homes.
Retail

Alibaba to capitalize on Hainan duty-free shopping boom

Cainiao logistics unit to improve infrastructure to speed handling of purchases

10 June 2021
Thailand is set to conduct a "sandbox experiment" from July 1, using Phuket as a testing ground to welcome vaccinated foreign visitors with no quarantine period.
Transportation

Seven global airlines to fly direct to Thai holiday island Phuket

Government gives initial green light to reopening despite third COVID wave

10 June 2021
Eastern Air Logistics has posted strong growth, utilizing the network and resources of China Eastern Airlines. 
Transportation

China Eastern Airlines affiliate gains 44% in Shanghai IPO

Debut positive sign for logistics sector hungry for capital amid price war

9 June 2021
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, second from left, in November 2015 inspects a section of track that is part of a landmark railway project on the island of Sulawesi.
Transportation

First rail project on Indonesia's Sulawesi island picks up steam

Consortium including Chinese company targets commercial operations next year

7 June 2021
The "Cosco Shipping Aries" container carrier unloads in Hamburg, Germany. The Cosco Group calls at more than 1,500 ports in 160 countries.
Transportation

China's COSCO teams up with Tesla to digitize logistics

Shipping giant hews to Beijing's Belt and Road as it charts its future

5 June 2021
HNA Group's restructuring took a key step forward with the first official creditors meeting.
China debt crunch

Investors eye key assets in HNA Group bankruptcy restructuring

Creditors gather for first meeting as affiliates count losses from web of links

4 June 2021
A conceptual rendering of Boom's planned jet: The planes will be able to fly twice as fast as conventional airliners, United says. (Image courtesy of United)
Transportation

United sees supersonic jet cutting Tokyo-West Coast flights to 6 hours

Order for US startup Boom's plane, due in 2029, ushers in carbon-neutral service

4 June 2021
Financially troubled Garuda Indonesia needs to strike a deal with creditors to avert bankruptcy.  (Photo by Rie Ishii) 
Transportation

Garuda Indonesia to seek debt payment suspension: government

Deputy minister for SOEs says bankruptcy a risk if creditor deal not reached

3 June 2021
A cargo aircraft chartered by JD.com for flights between Shenzhen and Bangkok. (Photo courtesy of the company)
China tech

JD.com debuts chartered cargo flights to Thailand

Cross-border online shipments to be delivered in 48 hours

1 June 2021
Japanese regional airlines Airdo and Solaseed Air announced a merger to be completed in 2022, hoping to cut costs as the travel industry struggles to recover from the pandemic. (Photos by Masarru Shioyama)
Business deals

Airdo and Solaseed Air agree Japan's first post-COVID airline merger

Consolidation aims to cut operating costs as industry reels from demand collapse

31 May 2021