This is a big idea in terms of investment.

It is to build an industrial complex, on a ship. 

Now, since it is a ship, it will have to generate it is own power somehow. Diesel, solar or even nuclear. This will not be a cheap power.

But being a ship would give it two advantages. It could move to where the raw materials are the cheapest, stock itself, then sell where the prices are best at the moment.

Does this math turns out positive, energy cost vs increased profit? Only a dedicated study could tell.

Please, don't turn this idea around and try to do something that wouldn't be allowed back home on international waters. I kindly ask you, that is not what I intent.

I always thought about purifying silicon in this manner, maybe bacause there would be plenty of sand. Now that I think about, maybe the sand needs to be high-grade for that.