South-East Asia

Analysts say that the Chinese media's scathing criticism of CK Hutchison for its planned sale of Panama ports to a U.S.-based group highlights Beijing's growing grip on Hong Kong, and its vulnerability to global tensions. According to the announcement of the sale on March 4, the definitive documentation for port operations near Panama Canal should have been signed by April 2. However, sources claim that the signing will be delayed as it is not a strict deadline. CK Hutchison didn't immediately respond to a comment request. Wednesday was supposed to be the beginning of a larger deal in which a...

Singapore has designated 17 transportation companies as critical firms, subject to increased regulatory scrutiny. A new law that took effect on Tuesday aims to protect against extreme scenarios with "malicious" actors. The Transport Sector (Critical Firms Act) would allow the government to tighten its control over major Singaporean firms in the air, sea and land transport sectors. It will also require approval for any key leadership changes or when a company gains more than 5% control. Singapore Airlines, SIA Engineering Company, SATS (ground services handling firm), and SBS Transit (bus and rail operator) are among the companies listed on the...

Richard Mansell won the Singapore Classic Sunday with a birdie on the final hole. This was his first DP World Tour win on his 104th try. He beat Keita Nagajima by just one stroke. The Englishman Mansell shot a six-under-66 in the final round of the tournament to finish 16 under in a tight competition. Adrien Saddier from France and England's Tom McKibbin finished two strokes back to share third place. When asked about the long wait for his title, Mansell responded with emotion: "God I wish it came earlier." It's a great feeling. It makes all those near misses,...

Industry sources report that sales of marine fuel are slowing down at major refuelling stations around the world at the beginning of the year, as the shipping industry struggles with geopolitical uncertainty and the impact of rising tariffs on the global trade. Official data revealed that marine fuel sales in the first two month of 2025 at the world's No.1 and 3 refuelling hubs - Singapore and Fujairah, both in the United Arab Emirates - totaled 9.78 million metric tonnes (62.09 millions barrels), down 9% compared to the same period last year. Singapore's marine fuel sales in February hit a...

Global independent storage operator Vopak announced on Thursday it would expand its joint venture terminal in Thailand so that the state energy company PTT Global Chemical can import U.S.-made ethane starting in 2029. China and other petrochemical companies in Asia are looking to import more ethane from the U.S. Shale Gas Boom to diversify their raw materials supply, as well as to lower costs. According to Vopak, Thai Tank Terminal, a joint venture of PTTGC Gulf Energy Development, and Vopak, will build 160,000 cubic meters of tank storage at Map Ta Phut in Rayong. The JV that provides storage and...

According to a review of an arbitration file, a unit of China’s state-owned Power Construction Corp of China has sued Laos Utility Electricite du Laos in Singapore for $555 million of unpaid dues relating to. The claim is based on the electricity generated by PowerChina's Nam Ou Power unit, which operates the $2.73 billion Nam Ou River Cascade hydropower project. It has a capacity to generate 1.27 gigawatts of power from seven cascades that are located along 350 km of river in Southeast Asia. The Nam Ou Project is one of Laos’ largest projects, representing 7% of its 18 GW...

The Russian Ministry of Economic Development announced on Sunday that Myanmar and its close friend Russia had signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation for investment in a Dawei special economic zone, which includes construction of an oil refinery and a port. The document was signed during the visit of a Russian delegation to Myanmar by Maxim Reshetnikov, the head of Russia's ministry. Reshetnikov, quoted by the Russian Ministry in a press release, said that the text of the memo contains the basic parameters for several large infrastructure and power projects being implemented in Myanmar jointly with Russian companies. We...

Sources from the industry and government said that Peru will enter 10 new markets this year for its agricultural exports, including Indonesia, Israel and the Philippines, as the South American nation posted strong shipments. According to data from the government, Peru's agricultural exports increased by 22% last year to $12.8 billion. In a press briefing, Julio Perez of the Peruvian exporters' association ADEX said that the goal was to expand into at least 10 new countries this year, including the Philippines, and Israel. This would consolidate Peru's presence in Asia and Middle East. Perez stated that while the United States...

Energy costs continue to rise despite the closure of factories Solar energy could help the industry go green As mills struggle to transition to energy, jobs are lost Tahmid Zami Tahmid Zami Textile manufacturers are looking for new ways to produce cloth that is more affordable and has a stronger environmental credential. They risk bankruptcy. Bangladesh, the second-largest fashion exporter in the world, exported clothing worth $38.5 billion dollars last year. It supplied high-street giants like H&M and Zara. The company aims to increase its exports to $40 billion by the end of this year. Other apparel hubs have caught...

LME data on Monday showed that the number of Russian-made aluminium in London Metal Exchange storage warehouses was up in January compared to December. The amount of Indian metal, however, fell. According to traders, the majority of the aluminium in LME registered warehouses at Port Klang in Malaysia is of Indian origin. This is what Western consumers are looking for, as many have refused to purchase metal made in Russia after it invaded Ukraine almost three years ago. Stocks of aluminium with Russian origin, or those on warrant At the end January, the total reached 164 475 metric tonnes, or...

By Yantoultra Ngui Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed that MMC Port Holdings had hired CIMB to assist in a Malaysian initial public offering. The IPO could raise up to 6 billion ringgit (1,34 billion dollars). Two other sources confirmed that RHB and UBS were also asked to assist in the preparation of the IPO. The IPO would be the largest in Malaysia in over a decade. It was anticipated to happen either in the second quarter of this year or in 2026. The sources estimated that MMC Port would be valued at over 25 billion ringgit. The first...

By Yantoultra Ngui SINGAPORE, February 3 - MMC Port Holdings hired CIMB to work on a Malaysian initial public offering of more than 6 billion ringgit (1,34 billion dollars), according to two sources familiar with the matter. A third and fourth source confirmed that RHB and UBS were also tapped to help with the IPO. Sources said that the IPO would be the largest in Malaysia in over a decade and could hit the market in the second half of the year or 2026. It was estimated to value MMC Port in excess of 25 billion ringgit. The first source...

Eastern German gas company VNG is majority owned by utility EnBW. On Wednesday, it announced that in 2025, the company will begin testing operations at a 30-megawatt (MW) electrolysis facility as part of a green hydrogen value chain. VNG has intensified its green gas strategy and acquired alternative sources of gas to replace Russia, who in 2022 will stop exporting to the West. This will affect VNG as well as its competitors SEFE and Uniper. In a statement, Hans-Joachim Polk, technical director of the company said: "We plan to commission and test the 30 MW Electrolyser during the third quarter."...

The captain of the container ship that collided with a U.S. oil tanker off Britain's East Coast earlier this week appeared before an English court Saturday and was charged with gross negligence. Vladimir Motin was the captain of the Portuguese flagged Solong, which hit the Stena Immaculate tanker carrying military jet fuel on Monday morning. Motin appeared in Hull Magistrates' Court Saturday, after being charged on Friday night, over the death Mark Angelo Pernia (38), a Filipino national who was a member of the Solong crew. Amelia Katz, the prosecutor, said that the Solong had been travelling at over 15...

According to a survey published on Tuesday, the stricter traffic regulations in place since the beginning of the year have caused disruptions and increased costs in the transport and logistics industry in Vietnam. New road safety regulations have increased the fines for serious traffic offences such as disregarding traffic lights. The new regulations are also more significant for the logistics industry in Southeast Asia's industrial and export hub because they require truck drivers to take a 15-minute break after every four hours driving. In a survey of more than 460 employees and executives, mainly from the logistics sector and distribution,...

Thailand's government announced on Tuesday that it would suspend electricity to certain border areas with Myanmar to combat scam centres. This comes amid increasing pressure against illegal compounds which have captured a large number of people from different nationalities. The United Nations claims that hundreds of thousands have been forced into scam centres, illegal online operations, and other criminal activities across Southeast Asia by criminal gangs. This includes along the Thai-Myanmar Border. According to a U.N. 2023 report, the operations are generating billions of dollars each year. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy prime minister of Thailand, told reporters that the authorities would...

The Philippines' sovereign wealth fund would be interested in purchasing a Chinese state firm's. stake in the Southeast Asian nation's power transmission. operator, its president said on Tuesday, as the federal government seeks. to improve its oversight of the nationwide power grid. The wealth fund, Maharlika Investment Corp, revealed on Monday. it would buy a 20% stake in the National Grid Corp of the. Philippines, or NGCP, which in 2007 won a 25year concession to. be the Philippines' sole power transmission operator. Maharlika president and president Rafael. Consing Jr said the fund would likewise be interested in shares held. by...

The Philippines' sovereign wealth fund Maharlika Financial investment Corp is purchasing a 20% stake in the operator of the nation's power grid, the federal government said on Monday, a first significant financial investment that tightens its grip on crucial infrastructure. National Grid Corp of the Philippines holds a 25year concession to run the country's sole power transmission operator because winning the contract in 2007. Amid intensifying tensions between Manila and Beijing over conflicts in the South China Sea, NGCP is currently the subject of a congressional probe into its compliance with franchise obligations and its ownership, with China's State Grid...

Travellers thronged train stations and airports on Friday, clutching large suitcases and gifts such as boxes of fruit as they joined millions of Chinese going back to their home towns to commemorate the Lunar New Year celebration with family. The vacation, China's greatest, this year falls between Jan. 28-Feb. 4 and marks the arrival of the Year of the Snake. The festivities generally supercharge companies such as stores, movie theaters and dining establishments as households delight in time together feasting and shopping. Authorities are specifically keen for individuals to open their wallets this year to improve the slow economy, and...

Tourists thronged railway stations and airports on Friday, clutching big suitcases and presents such as boxes of fruit as they signed up with millions of Chinese going back to their home towns to commemorate the Lunar New Year celebration with household. The holiday, China's greatest, this year falls between Jan. 28-Feb. 4 and marks the arrival of the Year of the Snake. The festivities typically supercharge companies such as shops, movie theaters and restaurants as households take pleasure in time together feasting and shopping. Authorities are particularly eager for individuals to open their wallets this year to enhance the slow...

Indonesia will rely more on personal financiers for its organized 71 gigawatt expansion in power capacity over the next years, with the government to focus on transmission for eco-friendly generation, the nation's energy minister stated on Monday. Bahlil Lahadalia said state energy Perusahaan Listrik Negara's (PLN) 2025-2034 power supply strategy will include 71 GW of brand-new power capacity and 48,000 circuit-km of transmission lines, which is comparable to 8,000 km (4,971 miles) straight line. Some 60% of the prepared brand-new power plants will be offered to the economic sector, he said at an occasion marking the launch of 26 power...

South Sudan aims to resume oil production at its Blocks 3 and 7 on January 8 with preliminary output of 90,000 barrels each day, Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol stated on Tuesday. South Sudan's economy has actually been under pressure in recent years in the middle of common violence while essential petroleum export income has been injured by export disturbances due to war in Sudan. Over the weekend, Sudan raised a nearly year-long force majeure on the transport of crude oil from its neighbour South Sudan to a port on the Red Sea after security conditions improved. The government has...

According to a letter sighted by us on Monday, the Sudan lifted its near-one-year force majeure for the transportation of crude from South Sudan to an port on the Red Sea. Khartoum declared force majeure last March after the main oil pipeline transporting South Sudanese oil through Sudan to be exported suffered stops linked to the problems caused by the war between Sudan’s army and insurgents Rapid Support Forces. In a letter dated January 4 from Sudan's Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to South Sudan’s Energy Minister, Khartoum announced that it would lift the force majeure due to new security...

Uncertainty surrounds the deadliest airplane crash on South Korean soil, air travel specialists said on Sunday, questioning how much impact a possible bird strike pointed out by authorities might have had in lowering the Jeju Air flight. The apparent absence of landing equipment, the timing of the twin-engine Boeing 737-800's tummy landing at Muan International Airport and the reports of a possible bird strike all raised questions that could not yet be responded to. The single-aisle airplane was seen in video broadcast on local media skidding down the runway without any landing equipment released in the past hitting a wall...