Industry News

Hai Robotics and Maersk have unveiled a cutting-edge fulfilment centre in Singapore, utilising high-density robotics to enhance fashion supply chain efficiency. Opened in February 2026, the facility employs Hai Robotics’ A42T robots to retrieve storage totes from vertical racks over 10 metres high, maximising storage capacity and supporting both retail and e-commerce orders.

The centre’s innovative approach addresses the fashion industry’s demand for faster, more varied fulfilment. According to Nathan Zeng, President of Hai Robotics SEA, ANZ, and South Korea, the project achieves both high storage density and throughput, a balance often compromised in traditional systems. The facility’s robotic systems operate in a coordinated manner, with high-density storage robots and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) ensuring a seamless flow between storage and workstations.

This dynamic setup allows workstations to adapt to shifting demands, handling bulk retail shipments and individual e-commerce orders without physical reconfiguration. The system’s design is data-driven, with real-time insights guiding inventory placement, order sequencing, and maintenance cycles.

Operating at such heights presents unique challenges, including rack design, floor precision, and safety compliance. The system incorporates automated responses to meet fire safety and evacuation requirements. Integration with Maersk’s warehouse systems was validated in a virtual environment, accelerating implementation and reducing onsite risks.

For Maersk and its fashion partner, this facility represents a new operating model capable of handling complexity at scale. It signals a shift towards denser, faster, and more adaptable fulfilment solutions in the APAC market.

Secura Group Limited has announced that its subsidiary, Soverus Kingdom Systems Pte Ltd, has been awarded a contract to install 802 units of iLOQ’s battery-free smart locking system at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Singapore. This marks the first project under Secura’s partnership with iLOQ, a global leader in battery-free smart locking solutions.

The initiative is part of Secura’s ongoing efforts to provide secure, sustainable, and digitally enabled access control solutions for public sector and critical infrastructure clients in Singapore. The deployment at IMH highlights the practical application of this collaboration in a healthcare setting that demands stringent operational and security standards.

Secura will oversee the implementation and integration of the digital locking system, ensuring it meets site-specific security and compliance needs. Barry Kan, CEO of Secura, stated, “This contract with IMH reflects the progress of our collaboration with iLOQ and our ability to translate technology partnerships into tangible outcomes for our clients.”

The iLOQ system employs patented energy harvesting technology, eliminating the need for batteries or wired power. This innovation allows for secure, centrally managed access control, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing maintenance, and improving security oversight across IMH’s facilities. The system also supports flexible access rights management and auditability, enabling secure updates to access permissions without physical key changes.

This contract reinforces Secura’s reputation as a trusted security and integration partner, building on its track record of delivering technology-enabled security solutions across various sectors.

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and the Law Society of Singapore (LawSoc) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on supporting professional services firms as they expand regionally. This partnership, announced on 14 April, aims to address the evolving needs of businesses that require integrated legal, financial, and governance advice across multiple jurisdictions.

A significant aspect of this collaboration is the development of a digital learning platform. This platform will offer on-demand modules, enabling lawyers and accountants to enhance their skills in areas relevant to their daily work. The initiative, a first of its kind, will facilitate cross-learning, allowing legal professionals to gain insights into accounting and finance, whilst accountants can deepen their understanding of legal concepts.

To make the learning platform more accessible, ISCA and LawSoc are partnering with NTUC LearningHub to provide funding options for eligible legal professionals. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses will be available through NTUC LearningHub’s Learning eXperience Platform later this year, with funding options such as SkillsFuture Credit and the Union Training Assistance Programme.

The partnership also aims to establish a Professional Services Centre in Singapore. This centre will support both investors and companies looking to expand in Singapore, as well as Singapore-based firms seeking overseas growth. By connecting businesses with coordinated legal and accountancy expertise, the centre will help navigate cross-border requirements and governance expectations.

Teo Ser Luck, President of ISCA, emphasised the importance of this collaboration in building capabilities and supporting Singapore’s professional services ecosystem. Tan Cheng Han, President of the Law Society of Singapore, highlighted the need for closer teamwork between lawyers and accountants to provide comprehensive advice to clients.

This partnership not only strengthens Singapore’s position as a trusted hub for professional services but also enhances the capabilities of its legal and accounting professionals, preparing them for future opportunities in the region.

SMRT, Singapore’s leading public transportation provider, has announced a collaboration with Oracle to pilot an AI-driven platform named JARVIS, aimed at improving the reliability and efficiency of its rail network. The announcement was made at the Oracle AI World Tour in Singapore, where SMRT revealed that JARVIS, developed by its engineering arm STRIDES Technologies, will utilise Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Enterprise AI and Oracle Autonomous AI Database.

JARVIS is designed to unify data from various standalone systems, applying AI to enable predictive fault detection and faster fault resolution. This innovation is expected to enhance service reliability for over two million daily commuters and set a scalable foundation for future data-driven rail operations. Ngien Hoon Ping, group CEO of SMRT, stated, “With JARVIS, we have a platform that makes intelligent use of SMRT’s data, STRIDES Technologies’ domain expertise, and Oracle’s industry-leading AI and cloud database capabilities.”

The platform features a natural-language interface for engineering insights, allowing maintenance teams to leverage predictive maintenance capabilities. The Oracle AI Customer Excellence Centre supported the development of JARVIS, providing cloud and AI infrastructure to consolidate and analyse maintenance data across the rail network.

Chin Ying Loong, senior vice president and regional managing director at Oracle, highlighted the importance of timely, accurate data for rail operators, stating, “Running on OCI, JARVIS demonstrates how Oracle can help bring AI to where enterprise data resides to improve efficiency and operational responsiveness.”

This collaboration marks a significant step in integrating AI into railway engineering, with potential implications for rail operators worldwide.

Savills Singapore has announced the launch of The Opal at Dyecoats, a new residential development in Leeds, UK. Developed by Latimer Homes, part of Clarion Housing Group, The Opal is a 16-storey tower featuring 196 one- to three-bedroom flats. This development is part of the West End Riverside Development Corridor, a major regeneration project less than a mile from Leeds city centre.

The Opal will provide residents with a range of on-site amenities, including concierge services, co-working facilities, and landscaped riverside walkways. Additionally, residents will have access to a Food Hall and Public Square within the development. Flats come with a 999-year lease and a 10-year National House Building Council (NHBC) warranty, with completion expected in Q4 2027.

Leeds is recognised as the largest financial and professional services hub outside London, supported by a diverse economy spanning finance, technology, and healthcare. The city is also a leading university centre, home to institutions like the University of Leeds, with a strong graduate retention rate of 27%.

Richard Cook, Chief Development Officer at Clarion Housing Group, stated, “Leeds is a city with strong economic foundations and clear long-term growth. Dyecoats has been carefully planned to reflect that strength, creating high-quality homes in a riverside setting that connects directly to the heart of the city.”

Adrian Lim, Senior Director at Savills Singapore, noted the continued interest in developments like The Opal, highlighting Leeds’ regeneration and employment growth as key factors supporting long-term housing demand. The launch event for Dyecoats Leeds is scheduled for 18 and 19 April 2026 at the Voco Orchard Hotel.

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is set to significantly impact data centre real estate investment trusts (REITs), with data centre capacity projected to nearly triple to 219GW by 2030. This surge is largely driven by AI workloads, which are expected to account for 71% of this capacity, according to a sector update by UOB Kay Hian on Singapore’s data centre REITs.

The anticipated listings of AI giants OpenAI and Anthropic are likely to draw further attention to data centre REITs. Notably, NTTDCR is projected to offer the highest dividend per unit (DPU) yield of 8.6% by 2027, whilst KDCREIT, with its strong Singapore-centric portfolio, is well-supported by its sponsor, Keppel. DCREIT is also expected to see a substantial 17% growth in DPU in 2027.

AI’s transition from basic chatbots to complex, autonomous systems has increased the demand for data centre capacity. These agentic AI systems, capable of executing multi-step tasks, require continuous operation, thereby increasing the need for robust data centres near network and power hubs.

Despite the projected US$5t investment in global data centres, supply constraints due to power availability and planning restrictions are anticipated. AI inference workloads are expected to surpass training demands by 2027, reinforcing the need for strategically located data centre infrastructure.

The sector remains attractive, with a recommendation to maintain an overweight position on data centre REITs, particularly those in supply-constrained markets like Singapore. NTTDCR and KDCREIT are highlighted as high-quality holdings, with NTTDCR’s low leverage and KDCREIT’s strong rental growth prospects. DCREIT’s improved portfolio occupancy and potential capital recycling through asset divestment further bolster its outlook.

Spanish heritage brand Osborne has appointed Singapore-based Octopus APAC Holdings Limited as its principal distributor in Singapore, marking a significant step in its Asia-Pacific expansion strategy. The partnership includes a S$5m equity investment by Osborne in Octopus, aligning their interests for regional growth and product development.

Founded in 1772, Osborne is one of Europe’s oldest producers of wines and spirits, with a presence in over 70 countries. The company owns more than 30 brands, including Carlos I brandy and Nordés gin. The investment will give Osborne a 6.40% equity stake in Octopus, with shares priced at S$0.0680 each, a 13.33% premium over the last closing price.

Under a five-year agreement, Octopus will manage Osborne’s distribution across retail, on-trade, and e-commerce channels in Singapore. The partnership also opens opportunities for Octopus to develop its own wines and spirits, leveraging Osborne’s production expertise to cater to Asian consumer preferences.

Fernando Terry Osborne, CEO of Osborne, stated, “This partnership with Octopus represents a decisive step in Osborne’s international growth strategy. Asia-Pacific is a priority region for our brands, and Singapore provides a solid platform from which to strengthen our presence in high-potential markets.”

Paul Hopkins, CEO of Octopus, added, “This partnership goes beyond distribution. By combining Osborne’s production expertise with our market knowledge, we will be able to develop products built for Asian consumers from the outset.”

The collaboration is expected to boost Octopus’s revenue growth and enhance margins through a greater mix of premium brand-led products. The scalable platform will allow Octopus to extend Osborne’s distribution footprint across the Asia-Pacific region, with plans for further local distribution agreements.

Tribe Payments, a fintech company specialising in issuer and acquirer processing, has announced its membership with the Emerging Payments Association Asia (EPAA). This move comes as the company continues to expand its operations in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, following the establishment of its Singapore hub in 2024. The APAC payments market is projected to grow significantly, from $17.86t in 2026 to $33.08t by 2031, highlighting the region’s rapid digital payments evolution.

The EPAA serves as a collaborative platform for financial institutions, fintechs, and policymakers across APAC, aiming to foster the development of the region’s payments landscape. Tribe Payments’ membership will enable it to engage in discussions on issuing, acquiring, and evolving payments infrastructure within diverse APAC markets.

Matt Weir, General Manager for APAC at Tribe Payments, emphasised the importance of understanding local contexts in global operations. “Payments infrastructure develops differently in every market, shaped by regulation, technology adoption, and customer behaviour,” he stated. “EPAA brings together people with first-hand experience of those differences, making it a valuable forum for informed industry discussion.”

Camilla Bullock, CEO of EPAA, welcomed Tribe Payments, noting that its experience in issuer and acquirer processing would contribute valuable insights to the ongoing development of payments infrastructure in the region.

Tribe Payments, founded in 2018, supports banks and fintechs in launching and scaling payment programmes across complex regulatory environments. Its EPAA membership aligns with its strategy to deepen relationships with banks and fintechs across multiple APAC markets, each with unique regulatory frameworks and operational needs.

Deluge Corporation Pte. Ltd., a prominent fire detection and protection solutions provider, has successfully raised S$3.6m from a group of investors, including Alan Wang Yu Huei, Von Lee Yong Miang, and ICH Asset Management. This funding is set to enhance Deluge’s fire protection capabilities as the company gears up for significant infrastructure projects in Singapore and Malaysia.

The funds will primarily be allocated to expanding Deluge’s services, positioning the company to capitalise on the anticipated construction boom in the region. With Singapore’s construction demand projected to reach between S$47b and S$53b in 2026, Deluge aims to leverage its expertise to support key projects such as the Changi Airport Terminal 5 development and the Marina Bay Sands expansion.

Deluge’s Executive Chairman, Vincent Cheo, expressed confidence in the company’s strategic direction, stating, “The investor support for this fundraising exercise is a strong endorsement of Deluge’s vision to be the leading provider of mission-critical fire detection and protection solutions.”

The company, established in 1983, holds the Building and Construction Authority’s highest L6 grade certification, allowing it to tender for projects of unlimited contract value. This certification, coupled with a robust order book, provides Deluge with revenue visibility for the next three to five years.

As Deluge strengthens its capabilities, it also plans to expand within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, addressing the growing demand for residential fire protection system upgrades. This strategic move underscores Deluge’s commitment to safeguarding lives and ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure in the region.

Singaporean investors are increasingly focusing on Tokyo’s residential property market, with interest doubling in Q1 2026, according to OrangeTee. The real estate agency noted a significant shift towards certified renovated homes in Tokyo, which offer ‘like-new’ interiors and corporate warranties. These properties, priced between JPY48m and JPY180m (approximately S$400,000 to S$1.5m), promise rental yields of 2.5% to 4%.

Steven Tan, Key Executive Officer of OrangeTee International, highlighted Tokyo’s appeal due to its familiarity and strong rental demand. “We are seeing increasing interest for completed or refurbished homes, reflecting strong interest in rental-ready properties, alongside long-term capital preservation,” he stated.

OrangeTee is responding to this demand by hosting its second Japan Property Day on 18 and 19 April 2026. The event will feature investment opportunities in central Tokyo locations such as Shinjuku, Kagurazaka, and Shirokane. It will also include expert-led sessions on the Japanese property market and a Chinese-language panel discussion on current buyer trends.

The event, in collaboration with Tokyu Livable, a prominent Japanese real estate firm, will offer one-on-one consultations for prospective investors. Registration is free and open to the public, underscoring the growing interest in Japan as a stable investment destination amidst global uncertainties.