News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Launch HN: Maritime Fusion (YC W25) – Fusion Reactors for Ships. Parent comment

Re:Launch HN: Maritime Fusion (YC W25) – Fusion Reactors for... by defrost on Thursday February 27, 2025 @04:32AM (#43192698)
Addendum:

I should have addressed this in my peer comment, from the Launch HN header above

  Why ships? They don’t have great alternatives—the shipping industry is desperate to decarbonize. Hydrogen and ammonia are being explored, but come with serious downsides: low energy density, flammability, leaks, and massive infrastructure challenges.
Is a bit odd from my PoV as it skipped over methanol .. the "green" fuel of choice in shipping today, with supply contracts already inked and signed, ships built, and more in pipeline.

DNV GL welcomes Lindanger to fleet – world’s first methanol fuelled ocean-going vessel (2016)

  “We are very pleased to see the completion and launch of this exciting and innovative newbuilding,” says Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO at DNV GL – Maritime.

  “This is the first time a dual-fuel engine with a Low Flashpoint Liquid (LFL) fuel system has been installed on an ocean-going vessel and it is a testament to the excellent cooperation between all the project partners that we have been able to complete this unique project and gain flag state approval. Methanol as a marine fuel is a very promising option to enable owners to reduce the environmental impact of their vessels and to comply with low sulphur and ECA regulations and we look forward to working on many more projects using this innovative marine fuel and technology.”
~ https://www.dnv.com/news/dnv-gl-welcomes-lindanger-to-fleet-...

Methanol as fuel heads for the mainstream in shipping (2023) - https://www.dnv.com/expert-story/maritime-impact/Methanol-as...

Also - https://www.methanol.org/marine-fuel/ and https://www.methanex.com/about-methanol/marine-fuel/

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Launch HN: Maritime Fusion (YC W25) – Fusion Reactors for... by algo_trader on Thursday February 27, 2025 @08:21AM (#43194123)
Here is latest (2025) bio methanol project from China [1], at $150/barrel of oil equivalent

And its not even true e-methanol which will be $200-$300boe

[1] https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Va0XYtSXQJLVrOZsW5obXA

(if u have any actual contact with the maritime industry would love to connect and chat)

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Launch HN: Maritime Fusion (YC W25) – Fusion Reactors for... by defrost on Thursday February 27, 2025 @10:41PM (#43201458)
My background is more mining, exploration geophysics, and global mineral resources. I have an interest in related production projects, eg: marine transport is part of mining and we (Australia) have several green methanol projects ~300K tonne per annum coming up this year, entering a global market of some 330 million tonne of general marine fuel.
[ Parent | on HN ]