LUX* South Ari Atoll Welcomes the World’s Very First Solar Powered Vessel!
Thursday 30th of June 2022
LUX* South, an award-winning luxury eco-friendly resort Ari Atoll, known for its passion for sustainable travel and development, is proud to be the project's main partner and welcome the Blue Odyssey sailing project spotlighting Porrima - the world's first vessel powered entirely by renewables such as solar, wind, and hydrogen energy.
It will visit the Maldives for the first time. Porrima, sailing under the Swiss flag, has just set sail from Dubai to the Maldives as part of its global circumnavigation and will conclude its ambassor ship voyage at the opening of the Osaka World Expo in 2025, where the innovative experience will be presented in the Blue Pavilion.
The 36-meter-long vessel is outfitted with 515 square meters of solar panels that can propel the boat. Its excess energy can also be used to convert seawater to hydrogen. Porrima has already crossed every major ocean twice as part of the Blue Odyssey project, with the goal of inspiring entrepreneurs and businesses to use eco-friendly initiatives and cutting-edge technology to make a difference.
Under The Lux Collective hospitality group, LUX* Hotels & Resorts has always been in sync with scientific breakthroughs, particularly future-oriented sustainable projects. The legendary boat and its crew will visit LUX* South Ari Atoll's beautiful island of Dhidhoofinolhu in the second week of July 2022.
The tour will include dialogues with government officials in Malé, in addition to inviting resort guests and visitors to explore the vessel and attend the conference held on the island. The resort's goal in initiating such projects is to help the Maldives become a pioneer in the hydrogen economy.
“We are delighted to be the key partner of Porrima’s Blue Voyage, where this partnership reinforces our Group’s strategic focus on sustainability development and sharing pioneering breakthrough concepts of zero emissions facilities that operate within natural boundaries. In addition to utilising solar energy at our resort, the support of this project is our way of caring for the ocean and the planet, especially in the Maldives where we are located,” Expressing his delight over the course is LUX* South Ari Atoll’s General Manager, Mr. Patrice Aira.
“This is a revolution; this is a milestone for the world,” shared Professor Gunter Pauli, Founder of The Blue Economy and owner of Porrima. “We want to share how Porrima generates more than enough power, and uses this surplus energy to clean the ocean from nanoplastic. We want to set new global standards rather than building museum pieces.”
Porrima will demonstrate its power solutions while visiting Maldivian atolls, including two skysails that provide electric power during the day and night. The use of solar power and 'intelligent' kites, as well as the production of drinking water and hydrogen energy, will be the main topics of discussion during the visit.
This project received 2022 WISe.ART NFT Awards for the first-ever sustainable NFT project using solar panels to power Porrima, demonstrating how organizations can achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Porrima Foundation, which manages the vessel, balances high-tech development with a commitment to preserving and regenerating nature.
One of these is its long-term study of sea life in general, and turtles in particular. The scientific network will collect and transmit health data on the Maldivian turtle population for future development. By visiting dedicated research centers, the project team will also learn how local communities create special living conditions for endangered turtles. LUX* South Ari Atoll is proud to be associated with this meaningful project with a global impact on the planet's well-being, which has received numerous accolades for its sustainable approach.
[Photos: Blue Odyssey]