Taiwan said it will deploy a zero-emissions vessel built by its domestic supply chain to support sustainable tourism in Palau, as part of a broader push to deepen climate cooperation with its Pacific allies.
The ship, named Porrima, is among several flagship projects under Taipei’s “Prosperity Diplomacy” initiative, which focuses on green energy, resilience and development partnerships with allies including Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands.
Speaking at a parliamentary hearing last week, the island’s foreign minister Lin Chia-lung said Taiwan is expanding climate adaptation and energy cooperation with the three island nations, which are among the most vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather linked to climate change.
“Taiwan’s model delivers high quality at competitive cost and has drawn attention from many countries,” Lin said.
The Porrima project builds on earlier efforts, including a solar-powered yacht that completed a round-the-world voyage in 2012. The upgraded vessel, completed in Kaohsiung in May 2025, incorporates solar energy, hydrogen production from seawater, high-altitude wind power and artificial intelligence technologies. It is expected to be deployed in Palau to support low-carbon tourism services.
Taiwan and Palau have also agreed on a series of energy and infrastructure projects, including solar-plus-storage systems for government buildings, the introduction of electric buses, and a broader overhaul of the island nation’s power grid.
Taipei has been working with its Pacific allies on renewable energy since launching its clean energy programme in 2010, leveraging the region’s flat terrain and strong solar radiation. Solar generation and storage systems supplied by Taiwanese firms are already in place across the three countries.
In the Marshall Islands, authorities have installed Taiwanese-branded solar storage systems, while Tuvalu has procured household solar units and solar-powered street lighting. Rooftop solar panels have also been installed at schools in the capital, Funafuti, to improve power stability.
Taiwan has also supported coastal protection and climate adaptation projects. In Tuvalu, one of the countries most threatened by rising sea levels, the two sides are implementing a coastal adaptation programme using ecological engineering methods to reclaim land and build flood defences.
Lin said Taiwan’s approach has helped address chronic flooding issues during high tides and has attracted international attention, contributing to a joint workshop in 2024 with the United States, Australia and Japan under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework.
Beyond infrastructure, Taiwan is also setting up financing mechanisms, including a Taiwan-Pacific Climate Transition Fund, which allows partner countries to apply for project financing or grants. Taipei has also signed agreements with the Marshall Islands on climate adaptation funds, including the construction of a seawall in the capital Majuro.
As part of efforts to strengthen long-term cooperation, Taiwan and Tuvalu signed a treaty in November establishing a formal framework for collaboration, aimed at ensuring continuity regardless of political changes.
Lawmakers have urged the government to complement infrastructure support with capacity building, including training students from allied countries in climate science, engineering and energy systems to ensure maintenance of projects such as electric buses.
Palau will host this year’s Pacific Islands Forum, with events expected in late August or early September, where Taiwan plans to showcase the results of its development initiatives alongside partner countries.
Lin said Taiwan’s approach to cooperation goes beyond traditional aid.
“It is not about giving fish or teaching how to fish, but raising fish together,” he said.
