The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition has appointed MS Porrima, one of the world's largest solar-powered ships, as the Special Supporter of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. This vessel is powered not by fossil fuels, but by wind, solar, and hydrogen energy, so it sails with no environmental impact. A symbol of sustainability, MS Porrima will sail around the world promoting the Expo through research and educational activities on marine plastic pollution until the event draws to a close in 2025.

[MS Porrima]
MS Porrima is one of the world's largest catamaran ships. It is operating under project support by the NPO ZERI-Japan. The vessel will work to raise global awareness about issues such as plastic pollution and climate change, connecting with scientists and entrepreneurs to find lasting solutions and create new innovations using its many onboard technologies. The Blue Odyssey project is also part of the TEAM EXPO’s Co-Creation Challenges, a thematic initiative of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

[Comment from NPO Zeri-Japan]
The theme of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai is “Designing future society for our lives.” We are planning various collaborations aimed at achieving the SDGs. During her world voyage, MS Porrima will visit ports, sharing information about the expo, as well as the bounty of nature, environmental issues, maritime history and culture, and advanced technologies related to the ocean. We hope her activities as a Special Supporter can help raise awareness about environmental issues, and encourage people and corporations to work together to find solutions.

■Special Supporter
Special Supporters are individuals, groups, characters, etc., who have a large base of fans supporters. They will use their platform to share the Expo’s appeal and ideals. Through the participation of various Special Supporters, we hope to broaden interest in the Expo.

■NPO ZERI-Japan
The word ZERI stands for “Zero Emission Research and Initiative.” It is an organization established in 2001 to realize the Zero Emission Initiative in Japan. In 1994, Gunter Pauli, then Advisor to the Rector of the United Nations University in Japan, proposed the concept of Zero Emissions using natural cycles as a model. He emphasized on reusing waste as a resource and ultimately reducing it to zero. ZERI-Japan was established by Yusuke Saraya, a long-time friend of Mr. Pauli. Serving as the Japanese base of ZERI, the organization is working to realize a recycling-oriented society by educating and practicing environmental education and building inter-industrial linkages in Japan.