ACEL Power participates in relaunch of zero-carbon sea vessel

Porrima PIII aims to circumnavigate the globe without fossil fuels. Credit: Porrima

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Insider Brief:

  • Canada’s ACEL Power, which manufactures intelligent electric propulsion systems, will participate in the launch of the world’s first zero-carbon vessel, Porrima P111.
  • Porrima P111 aims to be the first vessel to circumnavigate the globe without fossil fuels.
  • ACEL Power will continue to collaborate with Porrima to scale intelligent electric systems for future vessels.

ACEL Power Inc., a Canadian leader in intelligent electric propulsion systems, is proud to announce its participation in the relaunch of Porrima P111—the world’s first zero-carbon vessel to circumnavigate the globe without fossil fuels. This collaboration marks the first phase of an ongoing partnership with Porrima to scale intelligent electric systems for auxiliary and main propulsion in future vessels.

Originally built in Switzerland and launched in 2010, Porrima made history by completing four global tours powered entirely by renewable energy. After arriving in Taiwan in 2023, the vessel has undergone more than a year of advanced retrofitting in southern Taiwan. The upgraded ship, now named Porrima P111, stands as a symbol of global collaboration in marine innovation and sustainability.

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The official launching ceremony took place on May 22, 2025, at Xingda Port, Kaohsiung City. Hosted by the Co-Founder of Porrima Stan Shih, the event was attended by Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. and First Lady Valerie Whipps, highlighting growing diplomatic and environmental cooperation in the Pacific region. The presence of Pacific leaders reflects the growing alignment between technology, sustainability, and diplomacy — a vision ACEL Power supports as we expand into Asia-Pacific markets.

As part of this groundbreaking partnership, ACEL Power is collaborating with Porrima to deliver its Intelligent Electric Series for the vessel’s Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) tender, utilizing its 50HP system with 40Kwh Battery pack. More than electrification, this integration represents a leap towards intelligent marine mobility — combining zero-emission performance with digitalization. Together, ACEL and Porrima are setting a new global benchmark for sustainable, smart marine innovation. By contributing to this flagship project, ACEL Power is proud to join a global ecosystem of innovators committed to redefining the future of maritime mobility.

Porrima was co-founded by Acer Group founder Stan Shih and “Blue Economy” author Gunter Pauli, with a vision to position net-zero marine innovation as a pillar of future industry. The vessel’s retrofit was led by a cross-industry collaboration driven by Shih, leveraging Taiwan’s industrial capabilities to build a new zero-carbon marine supply chain.

“This moment marks both a celebration of the past and a bold step into the future,” said Anthony Liu, CEO of ACEL Power. “We’re honored to power part of Porrima’s journey and excited to expand access to electric propulsion through our partnership with VIVIC.”

About ACEL Power

ACEL Power, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, is a pioneering manufacturer of electric outboard propulsion systems, leading the marine industry in innovation and sustainability. Noted for introducing the world’s first mass-produced 50 and 75HP electric motors, ACEL Power is committed to shaping a sustainable future through the creation of a smart electric eco-system. With a forward-looking vision, ACEL aims to offer a comprehensive range from 1HP to 650HP, establishing new benchmarks for marine propulsion in performance, safety, and longevity. Leveraging patented technology and integrated software solutions, ACEL Power is driving change towards a cleaner, more efficient boating experience.

Jax Jacobsen

Jax is a longtime science journalist covering mining, energy, geosciences, and international affairs. She is currently Editorial Director at Climate Insider, and has previously worked as Deputy Editor at Mining Magazine, Paris Bureau Chief at Mergermarket, and Senior Reporter at S&P Global. She's been published in Reuters, The New Statesman, The Guardian, The Montreal Gazette, CNN, The Ecologist, and other publications (including Mining Magazine, Mining Journal, The Northern Miner). She's worked as a journalist in the US, UK, France, and Canada.

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