Industry News

Veson Nautical recently hosted a summit in Singapore, bringing together over 200 maritime industry leaders to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation in commercial shipping. The event, which included representatives from more than 60 companies across the Asia-Pacific region, focused on how a unified platform can enhance productivity and efficiency throughout the voyage lifecycle.

Chief Product Officer Eric Christofferson highlighted Veson’s approach to integrating AI into its solutions, emphasising the importance of freeing up time for human interactions and strategic decision-making. “We are fortunate to have solutions that enable workflows across the entire voyage lifecycle, and we think that AI has a place in almost every, if not all, of our products and solutions,” he stated.

The summit also addressed the challenges faced by shipowners, operators, and charterers in adapting to volatile markets, evolving regulations, and sustainability pressures. Discussions underscored the role of digitalisation as a crucial tool for gaining a decision-making advantage.

The event concluded with an executive panel featuring leaders from Veson Nautical, BHP, IMC Industrial Group, and Wah Kwong Maritime. The panel stressed the need for industry collaboration to balance AI adoption with accuracy and compliance in a rapidly changing market.

Veson Nautical’s co-founder and CEO, John Veson, emphasised the importance of streamlining operations and enhancing collaboration through a connected platform. “By delivering a connected platform that streamlines operations and enhances collaboration, we can help clients make smarter decisions in a volatile market,” he remarked. The summit highlighted the ongoing evolution of the maritime industry and the critical role of digital transformation in achieving commercial success.

Olam Agri and AGRA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen sustainable food and feed value chains in Nigeria and Ghana, with plans for future expansion across Africa. This collaboration, announced at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2025 in Senegal, seeks to improve food security and farmer livelihoods by leveraging Olam Agri’s market presence and AGRA’s expertise in agrifood systems.

The partnership focuses on scaling smallholder farmer programmes in soy, wheat, maize, and rice in Nigeria. Additionally, it aims to expand initiatives for poultry and aquaculture farmers, as well as baker programmes in Nigeria and Ghana, enhancing food safety, nutrition, and profitability. The collaboration builds on previous successful cooperation in the rice value chain, which supported over 5,000 smallholder farmers in Nigeria’s Niger state.

AGRA’s “New AGRA Strategy 3.0” will guide the initiative, focusing on seed systems development, inclusive markets, and government engagement. Olam Agri will contribute its market access, technical expertise, and digital tools to enhance productivity and sustainability across the value chain.

Saurabh Mehra of Olam Agri stated, “Through this partnership, we will scale our sustainability projects with farmers and bakers in Nigeria and Ghana.” AGRA President Alice Ruhweza added, “This partnership empowers African smallholder farmers and communities to thrive.”

The collaboration aims to promote climate-smart agriculture, empower women and youth, and strengthen market access. By joining forces, Olam Agri and AGRA aim to create a more resilient and inclusive food system for Africa.

SC Ventures by Standard Chartered and Fujitsu have announced a collaboration to incubate Project Quanta, a platform designed to accelerate the adoption of quantum computing and quantum-inspired applications. This initiative will leverage Fujitsu’s expertise in quantum research and development, alongside SC Ventures’ venture-building capabilities, to develop solutions initially targeting the financial services sector.

The joint venture will focus on integrating advanced hardware and software technologies to provide clients with a comprehensive platform for exploring and deploying quantum applications. Apurv Suri, Client Engagement and Partnerships Lead at SC Ventures, highlighted the fragmented nature of the current quantum development industry, stating, “By joining forces with Fujitsu, we want to unlock quantum resources and talent on one platform for corporates looking to scale their quantum capabilities.”

Fujitsu is currently developing a 1,000-qubit superconducting quantum computer, expected to begin operation in 2026, with plans for a more advanced system by 2030. The collaboration will initially focus on financial services applications such as fraud detection, risk simulations, and algorithmic trading, with plans to expand into other sectors.

Stafford Bond, Head of Growth Investments at Fujitsu UK, remarked, “Partnering with SC Ventures on Project Quanta represents a bold step towards democratising access to quantum capabilities and realising true quantum advantage.”

The partnership between SC Ventures and Fujitsu signifies a significant step in the practical application of quantum technologies, aiming to unlock transformative value for businesses across various industries.

Yuno, a global payment orchestration platform, has announced its expansion into the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region with the establishment of a regional headquarters in Singapore and new operations in China. This strategic move aims to simplify cross-border commerce for global merchants and enhance Yuno’s payment capabilities across the region.

The expansion into China allows Yuno to offer Chinese merchants a single API integration connecting over 1,000 payment methods and 450 providers across 195 countries. This integration includes compliance with local data privacy laws, smart routing to improve approval rates, and real-time payment insights. “China is one of the world’s most advanced digital economies, and its merchants are increasingly going global,” said SheueChee Beh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Yuno in APAC.

In Singapore, Yuno’s regional headquarters will anchor its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital commerce regions. Singapore’s status as a leading fintech hub, supported by strong regulatory frameworks and innovation programmes, provides Yuno with access to strategic partners and payment providers.

Additionally, Yuno has introduced NOVA, an AI-powered solution designed to recover failed payments and reduce checkout friction. NOVA engages customers through phone and WhatsApp, recovering up to 75% of failed payments during early testing. Juan Pablo Ortega, Co-founder and CEO of Yuno, stated, “Our goal is to become the go-to partner for businesses navigating global payments.”

Yuno’s expansion into APAC follows its earlier entries into the Middle East and UK, further solidifying its global footprint. Trusted by brands like McDonald’s and Uber, Yuno continues to offer localised solutions and expertise in high-growth regions.

Sunrate, a global payment and treasury management platform, has announced the integration of its commercial cards with Google Pay, offering businesses worldwide a faster, more secure, and convenient payment method directly from Android devices. This integration allows Sunrate cardholders to make contactless payments in-store, in-app, and online, benefiting from Google Pay’s robust security and privacy features.

The integration aims to empower businesses with smarter, more flexible payment solutions. Shawn Qin, Head of Card Business at Sunrate, stated, “By integrating with Google Pay, we’re providing our users with added speed, convenience, and security—whether they’re paying on the go, travelling for business, or managing expenses worldwide.”

Sunrate’s commercial card is part of its comprehensive suite of global payment and treasury solutions, enabling businesses to send payments to over 190 countries and regions and transact in more than 130 currencies. This integration underscores Sunrate’s commitment to innovation in digital payments and delivering user-centric experiences to businesses in the global economy.

Founded in 2016, Sunrate has been recognised as a leading solution provider, helping companies operate and scale globally. With headquarters in Singapore and offices in Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, and Shanghai, Sunrate partners with top financial institutions, including Citibank and J.P. Morgan, and is a principal member of Mastercard, Visa, and UPI.
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CapitaLand India Trust (CLINT) has announced the divestment of CyberVale in Chennai and CyberPearl in Hyderabad, marking its first asset sale since its 2007 listing. The transaction, valued at INR11,031m (approximately S$161.7m), was finalised on 25 September 2025. This strategic move aims to optimise CLINT’s portfolio and enhance financial flexibility, with the assets sold at a 3% premium to their valuations as of 31 December 2024.

CyberVale, located in Mahindra World City, comprises a 0.8 million sq ft IT Special Economic Zone and a 0.2 million sq ft Free Trade Warehousing Zone. CyberPearl, situated in HITEC City, is a 0.4 million sq ft IT Park. The net proceeds from the divestment are expected to be INR10,828m (approximately S$158.8m).

Gauri Shankar Nagabhushanam, CEO of CapitaLand India Trust Management Pte. Ltd., stated, “The successful divestment of CyberVale and CyberPearl marks the commencement of our capital recycling strategy to optimise CLINT’s portfolio and enhance our financial agility.”

Following the divestment, CLINT’s total completed floor area will be 21.2 million sq ft. In Chennai, the portfolio will include International Tech Park Chennai, three industrial facilities, and a data centre under development. In Hyderabad, it will comprise International Tech Park Hyderabad, aVance Hyderabad, and a data centre under development.

This divestment is part of CLINT’s broader strategy to recycle capital into higher-yielding projects and enhance distributions to unitholders, whilst continuing to seek attractive investments for sustainable returns.

PROPEL with Singlife, a shared services hub for financial advisory firms, has been honoured with the Technology Integration Excellence Award and the Operational Excellence Pioneer Award at the IIC Asia Awards 2025. These accolades highlight PROPEL’s significant contributions to innovation, operational efficiency, and digital transformation within the insurance industry across Asia.

Since its launch in January 2025, PROPEL has positioned itself as a pioneering one-stop solution for both new and established financial advisory firms. By integrating technology into middle-to-back-office workflows, PROPEL is transforming how these firms operate, enhancing efficiency, and elevating client service. Steven Ong, CEO of PROPEL, remarked, “Winning these two industry awards is a validation of our mission to empower FA firms with the tools and support they need to better serve their customers and scale their businesses.”

The Technology Integration Excellence Award acknowledges PROPEL’s success in embedding advanced digital tools into insurance workflows. Meanwhile, the Operational Excellence Pioneer Award celebrates the firm’s achievements in boosting operational efficiency through its multi-tenanted platform and modular support packages. PROPEL’s team of nearly 100 professionals supports client firms in scaling efficiently and cost-effectively.

The awards were presented during the IIC Asia 2025 conference at the Singapore Suntec Exhibition & Convention Centre, an event that gathered over 1,500 senior insurance executives to discuss the future of Asia’s insurance industry. PROPEL continues to be a trusted partner for financial advisory firms, helping them navigate a competitive market with innovative solutions.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has unveiled new initiatives to promote responsible online financial content sharing and advertising. Announced on 25 September 2025, these initiatives include the publication of Guidelines on Standards of Conduct for Digital Advertising Activities, which set expectations for financial institutions to manage risks associated with digital advertising. Additionally, MAS has issued a guide for online content creators to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

The guidelines, effective from 25 March 2026, were developed following a public consultation and apply to all financial institutions and their appointed third parties, including online content creators. They focus on managing digital media challenges, ensuring clear disclosures, and establishing policies to monitor advertising activities.

In collaboration with the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS), MAS has also developed a guide titled “7 must-knows when sharing financial information online.” This guide provides content creators with key considerations, such as when a licence from MAS may be necessary and the importance of disclosing any compensation received.

Furthermore, MAS will issue advisory letters to five content creators who may have provided financial advice without a licence, urging them to align their practices with regulatory standards. Those who continue to offer unlicensed financial advice will face enforcement action.

Lim Tuang Lee, Assistant Managing Director (Capital Markets) at MAS, emphasised the importance of responsible information sharing in the digital age, stating, “Financial institutions and content creators must ensure that the sharing of financial information and advertising of products and services are performed responsibly.”

These initiatives underscore MAS’s commitment to safeguarding consumer interests and ensuring the integrity of financial information shared online.

Strategic Marine has commenced construction on three 43-metre passenger fast ferries for Bintan Resort Ferries at its Singapore shipyard. This marks the first collaboration between the two companies, aiming to replace and expand Bintan’s current fleet, which operates between Singapore and Bintan Island.

The new ferries, designed to accommodate up to 293 passengers, including 57 in the exclusive Emerald Class, will comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s High-Speed Craft Code. They promise enhanced comfort and improved design, addressing the growing passenger demand whilst significantly enhancing the travel experience. A key feature of these vessels is their environmental efficiency, with a projected 33% reduction in emissions per passenger mile, achieved through advanced design and propulsion technology.

The keel-laying ceremony, attended by executives from both companies, symbolised the start of construction and a significant step in Bintan Resort Ferries’ fleet renewal. Strategic Marine’s CEO, Chan Eng Yew, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in their capabilities, stating, “We are honoured by the trust Bintan Resort Ferries has shown in our capabilities and thankful for the opportunity to support our Client’s fleet renewal and expansion plans.”

Sebastian Koh, General Manager of Bintan Resort Ferries, highlighted the milestone’s importance, saying, “Today is a significant milestone in BRF’s history. The keel laying, though symbolic, marks the physical commencement of construction for our new ferries.”

These new ferries will play a crucial role in enhancing the connectivity and travel experience for passengers visiting Bintan’s resorts and attractions.

Singapore’s core inflation rate fell to 0.3% year-on-year in August, down from 0.5% in July, according to a report by Nomura Global Markets Research. This decline, driven by reduced service costs such as airfares and holiday expenses, was lower than both the consensus forecast of 0.5% and Nomura’s own prediction of 0.4%. As a result, Nomura has adjusted its 2025 core inflation forecast to 0.5%, the lower end of the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) range of 0.5-1.5%.

The report highlights that headline inflation also decreased to 0.5% from 0.6% in July, with accommodation inflation easing slightly and private transport inflation rising due to increased car prices. Despite these changes, sequential headline inflation remained unchanged at 0.0% month-on-month.

Nomura’s analysis indicates that the share of disinflation within the core basket increased to 40.3% in August from 38.7% in July. This trend is attributed to a drop in holiday expense inflation and a slight rise in retail and other goods inflation. The firm expects core inflation to reach a low of 0.1% in September before gradually increasing.

Looking ahead, Nomura anticipates that the MAS will narrow its core inflation forecast range in its upcoming Monetary Policy Statement, expected by 14 October. Despite the subdued inflation figures, Nomura’s FX strategy team predicts that the MAS will maintain its current foreign exchange policy, citing a resilient growth outlook and stable labour market conditions.