Cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of ships: A case study of Panamax bulk carrier

Abstract

Seaborne transport plays an important role in global transportation, and ships' emissions are worth considering. By applying life cycle assessment method, the environmental impacts of ships could be evaluated. Life cycle assessment is an effective tool as this method provides a holistic perspective of a product or a service in its life cycle. In an attempt to clarify emissions released from the cradle-to-gate life cycle of ships, especially from processes in shipbuilding which were not considered adequately from some previous studies, this study conducts life cycle assessment method to assess the environmental impacts of a Panamax bulk carrier from raw material extraction to shipbuilding phase. In order to clarify life cycle emissions, some helpful mathematical formulas are also established. Ten environmental categories of CML 2001 life cycle impact assessment methodology that are relevant to the marine context are chosen for evaluating the environmental impacts. To obtain emission inventory and impact assessment results, a life cycle assessment software-GaBihas been used. The results show that material extraction and production phase accounts for more than 85% carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, while shipbuilding phase is responsible for 99.91% volatile organic compounds, 36.08% non-methane organic compounds, and 26.76% particulate matter emissions. In relation to environmental indicators, material consumption is much more significant than other processes and accounts for more than 86% of values of 10 environmental categories. This study is useful as it provides necessary information for life cycle assessment in the shipping industry in the future.

Life Cycle and Cost Assessment of a Marine Scrubber Installation

“…Two studies closer to the subject of this report is a LCA of an LNG-fuelled ship within the South Korean domestic trade by Jeong et al (2019) and a partial LCA of a Panamax bulk carrier by Tuan and Wei (2019). According to the study by Jeong et al (2019), emissions for using LNG as a fuel are substantially lower than sailing on MGO.…”

“…Jeong et al (2019) concludes that LCA of marine fuels is a beneficial option for a comprehensive overview of emissions levels, and a viable complement in areas where current marine emission indicators are lacking. Tuan and Wei's (2019) LCA of the bulk carrier covers the stages from material extraction until shipbuilding and sea trials. Comparable to the offshore wind power system studies, Tuan and Wei (2019) reports that the majority of environmental effects are derived from material extraction and the production phase.…”

“…Tuan and Wei's (2019) LCA of the bulk carrier covers the stages from material extraction until shipbuilding and sea trials. Comparable to the offshore wind power system studies, Tuan and Wei (2019) reports that the majority of environmental effects are derived from material extraction and the production phase.…”

Life cycle assessment for enhanced Re-liquefaction systems applied to LNG carriers; effectiveness of partial Re-liquefaction system

“…Hua et al (2019) revealed that varied operation conditions of engines played an important role in quantifying pollutants. Tuan and Wei (2019) examined emissions from detailed shipbuilding processes upon which similar studies had not touched.…”

Evaluating environmental impacts of an oil tanker using life cycle assessment method

“…Therefore, this study is carried out to provide a detailed example for LCA practitioners, which is in accordance with ISO 14040. In order to continue the study on cradle-to-gate LCA carried out by the authors in Tuan and Wei, 45 this study aims to apply the cradleto-grave LCA method to evaluate the environmental impacts of an oil tanker in its entire life cycle. Some typical applications of LCA method in the shipbuilding and shipping sectors are also briefly reviewed.…”