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DECISION MAKERS TO CONVENE AT ASIA PACIFIC MARITIME’S BIGGEST EDITION YET

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Themed Future of Vessels, Solutions for Tomorrow, Southeast Asia’s premier trade exhibition and conference will host a series of new launches and strategic discussions across six halls at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre

SINGAPORE, Feb. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In just two weeks, the highly anticipated 18th edition of Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) is set to herald the largest gathering of the global maritime value chain in Southeast Asia. From 13 to 15 March 2024, over 1,400 global brands will be present at the conference and exhibition, spanning 17 pavilions across six expansive halls of Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands.

From closed-door networking sessions and delegation visits to product launches and business announcements, APM 2024 will serve as a platform for fostering tangible connections and sharing insights that will propel the maritime industry forward in today’s landscape of transformative changes driven by technology, climate imperatives, and shifting geopolitical landscape.

APM 2024 Conference

Close to 120 industry experts from Singapore and across the world will share their insights and expertise in Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cybersecurity, Next Gen Ports and Operational Excellence across two stages on the floor. The Main Stage will focus on tackling growth and business potential in maritime, while the Innovation Stage will present case studies, leading innovations, and inspiring visions to help companies overcome challenges in business growth.  

At the heart of the APM conference will be a keynote panel discussion titled “A Net Zero Carbon Maritime Industry – Will We Ever Get There?” as the first session at the Main Stage on 13 March 2024. The panel will bring together some of the key leaders in the industry to discuss regulatory and policy frameworks and dissect the industry’s trajectory towards carbon neutrality, examining challenges, opportunities, and the feasibility of achieving this ambitious goal. They include Andreea Miu, Head of Decarbonisation, The Sustainable Shipping Initiative; Douglas Raitt, Area Commercial Manager Singapore, Southeast Asia & Australasia, Lloyd’s Register; Capt. Hari Subramaniam, Chairperson, The Nautical Institute (Singapore) & Regional Head of Business Relations, The Shipowners Mutual P&I Association (Luxembourg) (Singapore Branch); Jason Chia, Assistant Vice President, Global Design Centre, Seatrium; Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry & Transformation), Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA); Dr. Sanjay Kuttan, Chief Technology Officer, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation; Torben Nørgaard, Chief Technology Officer – Energy & Fuels, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping; Toshikazu Shiomi, Senior Vice President, Ocean Network Express. 

Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry & Transformation), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), commented, “Singapore, as a forward-looking maritime hub, has been at the forefront driving digitalisation and decarbonisation for the maritime industry. We look forward to meeting like-minded individuals and organisations from all over the world to discuss achieving net-zero emissions through technological innovations, alternative fuels, regulatory frameworks, and collaboration among industry stakeholders. MPA looks forward to contributing to the global efforts in transforming the maritime industry and combat climate change.”

“We must relentlessly continue our ambition to decarbonise in accordance with the 1.5°C target. A substantial increase in upstream investments in alternative fuels is critical for the maritime decarbonisation journey. I am looking forward to sitting down with other maritime leaders at APM 2024 to bring these discussions forward,” said Torben Nørgaard, Chief Technology Officer – Energy & Fuels, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.

Sessions curated for the conference, which is sponsored by ABS WaveSight, Convera, DNV, Roxtec, Yinson GreenTech, ARI Simulation and Siemens Energy, include:

Market Intelligence: Shipping Outlook for 2024 and Beyond – What Lies AheadIs the Maritime Sector Struggling to Innovate?Developing a Future-Ready Maritime WorkforceGreen Shipping Corridors: Fostering Eco-Friendly Transportation NetworksRise of Green Ammonia: What is Needed to Make it a Success?

Industry veteran Carmelita Hartoto, Chairwoman of the Indonesia Shipowners’ Association (INSA) and Chair of Federation ASEAN Shipowner’s Association (FASA), will be speaking on the opening day. Her session on “Indonesian Maritime Future Energy – Opportunities and Challenges” will focus on the industry’s status, growth forecasts, and decarbonisation strategies while also exploring opportunities for collaboration to establish a green maritime plan involving electrification and green hub development. Other speakers attendees can look forward to seeing:

Ashish Mediratta, Head of Crewing, A.P. Moller MaerskDr. Chunwee Ng, Associate Professor, Singapore Institute of TechnologyElizabeth Petit Gonzalez, Head of Partnerships, The Sustainable Shipping InitiativeJan-Viggo Johansen, Managing Director, Marine, Yinson GreenTechMurthy Pasumarthy, Assistant Vice President, Technology & New Product Development, SeatriumNorberto Barlocco, Head of Operations for Electrical, Automation & Digitalisation South West Europe, Siemens Energy Sanjay Verma, Director, Decarbonisation Solutions, Wärtsilä

For the complete list of speakers, visit www.apmaritime.com

Separately, the Satellite Mobility World seminar happening on the afternoon of 14 March at the Innovation Stage will delve into the latest advancements in maritime broadband communications. Titled “Unlocking The Future of Broadband at Sea: How Multi-Orbit Connectivity Is Propelling Maritime Forward”, the sessions will be led by Speedcast, OneWeb, Intellian, Kymeta, Intelsat and Iridium. Attendees can expect discussions on cutting-edge technologies like Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) services, flat panel antennas and multi-orbit constellations shaping the future of maritime connectivity.

Innovative Solutions at APM 2024 Exhibition

As the maritime industry prepares for a significant surge in the adoption of technologies such as autonomous vessels, drones, additive manufacturing, smart coatings, artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins, hydrogen fuel cell, carbon capture, and more, APM will stand as a pivotal platform for the unveiling of such solutions to drive the industry forward.

Attendees can expect to see 1,400 leading brands, including Amogy, CALB Group Co., Ltd, Damen Shipyard, Durapower, EST-Floattech, EVE Energy Storage Co., Ltd, Fincantieri, Siemens Energy, ST Engineering Ventures, Tersan Shipyard, VertiDrive and many more.

Some of the key activities on-site will include:

Nippon Paint (Stand B-M16) will launch two groundbreaking products that promise to redefine the maritime coating industry. AQUATERRAS, hailed as the world’s first biocide-free self-polishing coating, offers exceptional long-term fouling protection while being environmentally friendly, thanks to its unique micro-domain structures. Complementing this is FASTAR, a new generation antifouling paint utilising nano-binder technology, delivering high performance while aiding emissions abatement and energy efficiency targets.Flyability will be showcasing the Elios 3 drone at their stand C-E42. Renowned for its safety and efficiency in inspection use, the Elios 3 will be demonstrated on its applications in maritime operations.

Carmelita Hartoto will also lead a contingent of Indonesian shipowners to APM 2024. She shared, “In my role as Chairwoman of INSA and Chairperson on ASEAN Shipowners, my mission is to enhance national and regional shipping with international stakeholders. Indonesia’s and ASEAN’s shipping industry has been growing significantly in recent years, so there is no better time to present ourselves on the world stage to enhance global awareness of our capabilities and needs. For APM, I am looking forward to having our shipowners network and prospect with companies from all over the world and to learn from all the different stakeholders in the maritime sector.”

“After weathering the storm of the global pandemic, the resurgence of APM in its grandest form is a testament to the unwavering resilience and determination of our maritime community and the pivotal role of APM, which has been supporting the ecosystem for the last three decades. We look forward to welcoming participants from around the globe as we embark on this journey towards a more sustainable and prosperous maritime future,” said Yeow Hui Leng, Group Project Director, RX, the organiser of APM.

All registered professionals for APM 2024 will be granted free access to both exhibition and conference floors. For the latest information on APM 2024, please visit the event website, LinkedIn, or Facebook pages.

About Asia Pacific Maritime (APM)

Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) is the premier exhibition and conference in Asia showcasing Shipbuilding & Marine, Workboat, Offshore, Port Technology. It is the largest meeting place for the global maritime value chain where over 14,000 professionals in Asia including shipowners, shipyards, ship management, technical procurers and end-users will meet with 1,400+ solution providers showcase the latest solutions, services and technology that will drive maritime development in the new decade.

With 17 editions (33 years) of proven track record, APM gives you 3 days of opportunities to connect with decision makers and sharpen industry understanding in Southeast Asia.
www.apmaritime.com 

About RX Global

RX is in the business of building businesses for individuals, communities and organisations. We elevate the power of face-to-face events by combining data and digital products to help customers learn about markets, source products and complete transactions at over 400 events in 22 countries across 43 industry sectors.  

RX is passionate about making a positive impact on society and is fully committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. 

RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. www.rxglobal.com 

About RELX

RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The Group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs over 33,000 people, of whom almost half are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.  The market capitalisation as at 3 August 2023:  £48.7bn | €56.6bn | $62bn

*Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investors

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/decision-makers-to-convene-at-asia-pacific-maritimes-biggest-edition-yet-302075096.html

SOURCE RELX Singapore Pte Ltd

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Football Tournament Season Sparks Global Social Connection Surge as 3Fun Reports Growth Across Key Markets

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NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the World Cup enters its final stage and fans celebrate across the globe, new data from 3Fun, the leading dating app for open-minded singles and partners, reveals that the World Cup’s impact extends far beyond the stadium. The tournament has ignited a massive surge in global social activity, with users increasingly turning to the platform to translate sporting euphoria into personal connections.

The “Celebratory Intimacy” Effect: Why Winning Drives Matching

Psychological research has long suggested that major sports victories do more than just boost national pride; they influence human biology and intimacy. Studies indicate that watching a favorite team win can temporarily elevate testosterone levels in fans, leading to a surge in sexual desire and “celebratory intimacy”. This theory is vividly reflected in 3Fun’s latest performance metrics.

Compared with the previous 20-day period, 3Fun saw a 6.13% increase in Daily Active Users (DAU) during the peak of the World Cup season (June 23 – July 12), adding more than 275,000 active participants. The platform’s “heat” was further evidenced by an additional 446,491 messages sent, while the user match rate jumped by 5.71%, resulting in nearly 50,000 new connections.

Spain and Argentina Lead the “Lust for Victory”

The data shows a direct correlation between success on the pitch and activity on 3Fun. Nations with deep football cultures and strong tournament performances saw the highest growth:

Spain: Witnessed a staggering 37.56% surge in new users.Argentina: Followed with a 26.62% increase.France & Mexico: Saw growth rates of 25.44% and 21.42% respectively.

In the U.S., cities like Houston (+8.98%) and New York (+7.45%) led the way. This trend aligns with a broader cultural shift: recent 3Fun data reveals that 69% of Americans report a growing interest in non-traditional relationships, with 77% of seekers preferring dating apps to find compatible partners.

Digital Jet-Setting: 3Fun’s “Roaming” Feature Becomes a Fan Favorite

While millions traveled for the games, many more “traveled” virtually. 3Fun’s new Roaming feature, currently in gray-scale testing, allows users to explore connections beyond their current location by virtually discovering communities in other cities.

The top 10 “Roaming” destinations during the Football Tournament  season reveal where the world’s social interest was concentrated:

Sao Paulo, Brazil (17.35% of total roaming volume)New York, USA (14.82%)Las Vegas, USA (11.37%)Los Angeles, USA (11.19%)London, UK (9.89%)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (7.40%)Houston, USA (7.36%)Dallas, USA (7.18%)Miami, USA (6.85%)Chicago, USA (6.60%).

The dominance of Brazilian cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro highlights a “digital pilgrimage” to the spiritual home of football, where users sought to connect with the local energy and like-minded fans.

3Fun Insight: Connection Beyond the Game

“Major global events like the World Cup bring people together far beyond the borders of the pitch,” said Daniel Morgan, 3Fun’s Director of Social Trends. “Our data shows that users aren’t just looking for scores; they are looking for meaningful, shared experiences. Whether through virtual roaming or local matching, these events create unique windows for people to explore their desires in a safe, celebratory, and inclusive community”.

Daniel further noted, “With 72% of users noticing growing acceptance of diverse relationship styles, global sports events such as the World Cup represent a moment when people feel more open to meeting others and exploring new forms of connection”.

About 3Fun: With over 10 million downloads and 3 million verified active users worldwide, 3Fun is the leading dating app for open-minded singles and partners to meet like-minded people. The platform provides a safe and inclusive space to explore ethical open relationships and polyamory, fostering community and connection without judgment. 

Disclaimer: 3Fun is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by FIFA, the World Cup, or any official World Cup organizing body. All references to the tournament are descriptive or for informational and topical context only.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/football-tournament-season-sparks-global-social-connection-surge-as-3fun-reports-growth-across-key-markets-302828995.html

SOURCE 3Fun

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Best AI Design Tools (2026): CapCut Named a Top Choice for Creating Images and Marketing Assets by Software Experts

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NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Software Experts has recognized CapCut as a top choice among AI design tools for 2026, citing its AI Design Studio as a standout resource for creating images and marketing assets. The recognition points to the platform’s combination of automated layout generation, image editing, and campaign focused features built for marketers, e-commerce sellers, and content creators.

Best AI Design Tools

CapCut AI Design Studio – a web based design workspace that uses AI to help users create ads, product visuals, and branded content without prior design experience.

Core Capabilities of the AI Design Studio

The AI Design Studio is built around a conversational, infinite canvas that allows users to work with an AI design agent in real time. Instead of starting from a blank template, users type a prompt, upload reference images, and receive layout options generated automatically.

The latest version, Design 2.0, brings references, drafts, assets, and edits into a single workspace. Features include pencil prompting for visual editing, smart layer split for separating subjects and backgrounds, and a One More function that generates new creative directions from an existing design. Users can circle, brush, or mark up an image directly to guide how the AI adjusts a design, rather than relying only on written prompts.

An inspiration hub with built in assets and license free images is also part of the workspace, helping users start projects without sourcing outside materials. Layers for text, subjects, and backgrounds remain editable throughout the process, which allows for adjustments without regenerating an entire design from scratch.

Applications for E-Commerce and Marketing Teams

The AI Design Studio supports several common business use cases, including product content creation, trend based design remixing, and clothing visualization for fashion brands. These features are designed to reduce the time spent on repetitive production tasks, particularly for teams that need to update visuals frequently.

For e-commerce sellers, the tool can generate product main images, banners, and packaging designs from a single uploaded photo, and supports batch replacement across shared backgrounds. A seller managing multiple product lines can apply the same background and layout across different items with one click, rather than recreating each asset individually.

Fashion brands can use the AI clothing try-on feature to visualize how garments appear on different models, helping with catalog updates during seasonal campaigns such as Black Friday. Marketing and social teams can generate assets in multiple styles and resize them automatically for different platforms, which helps maintain consistency across channels without manual reformatting. The trend remixing feature also allows brands to reference the structure of a popular design while keeping the content original to their own products.

Design Automation Powered by Seedream 5.0

For marketing posters and layout heavy assets, the AI Design Studio incorporates the Seedream 5.0 model, which is ranked first on Artificial Analysis’ Text-to-Image Leaderboard. The model is used to arrange visual elements, generate multiple layout variations, and handle typesetting automatically based on uploaded product images.

This approach is intended to reduce the manual work involved in formatting marketing materials. Uploading one or more product photos allows the system to generate several layout options, positioning text, imagery, and other elements without requiring manual placement. Once a layout is generated, users can continue refining it with stickers, filters, or additional effects within the same workspace.

The process is designed to move from prompt to a finished, ready to use asset without requiring separate design software. For teams producing large volumes of seasonal or promotional content, this can reduce the number of tools involved in a single campaign.

Why AI Design Tools Matter for Small Teams

AI design tools are becoming useful because many teams need more visual content than traditional workflows can comfortably support. The Software Experts review notes that marketers, creators, and small businesses often need product images, social graphics, banners, email headers, event posters, and campaign visuals on tight timelines.

For small teams, the main advantage is not simply automation. It is the ability to get to a workable draft faster. Starting from a blank canvas can slow down campaign production, especially when a team is managing several platforms or product lines. AI-assisted design tools can generate starting points, resize assets, suggest layouts, and help keep visuals consistent across channels.

Access and Getting Started

The AI Design Studio is accessible through CapCut desktop by selecting Design Agent from the main dashboard. Users enter a text prompt describing the desired output, optionally upload reference images, and review the generated results.

A typical workflow might involve uploading a reference photo and entering a detailed prompt describing a desired style, color palette, or setting. The AI then generates initial design options based on that input. The built in editor allows for further adjustments, including color changes, auto cutout, element removal, and text overlays, before the final image is downloaded in high resolution.

Software Experts noted that the AI Design Studio is suited to a range of users, from e-commerce sellers managing large catalogs to individual creators producing social media content, as well as marketing teams handling multiple campaigns at once. The tool is offered as part of CapCut’s existing platform, with pricing details available directly through CapCut.

Readers can find the full review at Software Experts.

About CapCut

CapCut is an AI-powered photo and video editing platform designed to make high-quality video creation accessible across devices. The platform supports creators, businesses, and everyday users with tools for video editing, AI video generation, captions, templates, audio, and visual editing. CapCut is available across mobile, web, desktop, and iPad experiences, helping users create, edit, and prepare video content for social media, marketing, education, and personal projects.

About Software Experts: Software Experts delivers in-depth news on the digital tools shaping today’s consumer experience. As an affiliate, Software Experts may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-ai-design-tools-2026-capcut-named-a-top-choice-for-creating-images-and-marketing-assets-by-software-experts-302828625.html

SOURCE SoftwareExperts.org

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Technology

Best AI Design Tools (2026): CapCut Named a Top Choice for Creating Images and Marketing Assets by Software Experts

Published

on

By

NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Software Experts has recognized CapCut as a top choice among AI design tools for 2026, citing its AI Design Studio as a standout resource for creating images and marketing assets. The recognition points to the platform’s combination of automated layout generation, image editing, and campaign focused features built for marketers, e-commerce sellers, and content creators.

Best AI Design Tools

CapCut AI Design Studio – a web based design workspace that uses AI to help users create ads, product visuals, and branded content without prior design experience.

Core Capabilities of the AI Design Studio

The AI Design Studio is built around a conversational, infinite canvas that allows users to work with an AI design agent in real time. Instead of starting from a blank template, users type a prompt, upload reference images, and receive layout options generated automatically.

The latest version, Design 2.0, brings references, drafts, assets, and edits into a single workspace. Features include pencil prompting for visual editing, smart layer split for separating subjects and backgrounds, and a One More function that generates new creative directions from an existing design. Users can circle, brush, or mark up an image directly to guide how the AI adjusts a design, rather than relying only on written prompts.

An inspiration hub with built in assets and license free images is also part of the workspace, helping users start projects without sourcing outside materials. Layers for text, subjects, and backgrounds remain editable throughout the process, which allows for adjustments without regenerating an entire design from scratch.

Applications for E-Commerce and Marketing Teams

The AI Design Studio supports several common business use cases, including product content creation, trend based design remixing, and clothing visualization for fashion brands. These features are designed to reduce the time spent on repetitive production tasks, particularly for teams that need to update visuals frequently.

For e-commerce sellers, the tool can generate product main images, banners, and packaging designs from a single uploaded photo, and supports batch replacement across shared backgrounds. A seller managing multiple product lines can apply the same background and layout across different items with one click, rather than recreating each asset individually.

Fashion brands can use the AI clothing try-on feature to visualize how garments appear on different models, helping with catalog updates during seasonal campaigns such as Black Friday. Marketing and social teams can generate assets in multiple styles and resize them automatically for different platforms, which helps maintain consistency across channels without manual reformatting. The trend remixing feature also allows brands to reference the structure of a popular design while keeping the content original to their own products.

Design Automation Powered by Seedream 5.0

For marketing posters and layout heavy assets, the AI Design Studio incorporates the Seedream 5.0 model, which is ranked first on Artificial Analysis’ Text-to-Image Leaderboard. The model is used to arrange visual elements, generate multiple layout variations, and handle typesetting automatically based on uploaded product images.

This approach is intended to reduce the manual work involved in formatting marketing materials. Uploading one or more product photos allows the system to generate several layout options, positioning text, imagery, and other elements without requiring manual placement. Once a layout is generated, users can continue refining it with stickers, filters, or additional effects within the same workspace.

The process is designed to move from prompt to a finished, ready to use asset without requiring separate design software. For teams producing large volumes of seasonal or promotional content, this can reduce the number of tools involved in a single campaign.

Why AI Design Tools Matter for Small Teams

AI design tools are becoming useful because many teams need more visual content than traditional workflows can comfortably support. The Software Experts review notes that marketers, creators, and small businesses often need product images, social graphics, banners, email headers, event posters, and campaign visuals on tight timelines.

For small teams, the main advantage is not simply automation. It is the ability to get to a workable draft faster. Starting from a blank canvas can slow down campaign production, especially when a team is managing several platforms or product lines. AI-assisted design tools can generate starting points, resize assets, suggest layouts, and help keep visuals consistent across channels.

Access and Getting Started

The AI Design Studio is accessible through CapCut desktop by selecting Design Agent from the main dashboard. Users enter a text prompt describing the desired output, optionally upload reference images, and review the generated results.

A typical workflow might involve uploading a reference photo and entering a detailed prompt describing a desired style, color palette, or setting. The AI then generates initial design options based on that input. The built in editor allows for further adjustments, including color changes, auto cutout, element removal, and text overlays, before the final image is downloaded in high resolution.

Software Experts noted that the AI Design Studio is suited to a range of users, from e-commerce sellers managing large catalogs to individual creators producing social media content, as well as marketing teams handling multiple campaigns at once. The tool is offered as part of CapCut’s existing platform, with pricing details available directly through CapCut.

Readers can find the full review at Software Experts.

About CapCut

CapCut is an AI-powered photo and video editing platform designed to make high-quality video creation accessible across devices. The platform supports creators, businesses, and everyday users with tools for video editing, AI video generation, captions, templates, audio, and visual editing. CapCut is available across mobile, web, desktop, and iPad experiences, helping users create, edit, and prepare video content for social media, marketing, education, and personal projects.

About Software Experts: Software Experts delivers in-depth news on the digital tools shaping today’s consumer experience. As an affiliate, Software Experts may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-ai-design-tools-2026-capcut-named-a-top-choice-for-creating-images-and-marketing-assets-by-software-experts-302828625.html

SOURCE SoftwareExperts.org

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