Maritime Transport in a Life Cycle Perspective: How Fuels, Vessel Types, and Operational Profiles Influence Energy Demand and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Grusche J. Seithe, Alexandra Bonou, Dimitrios Giannopoulos, Chariklia A. Georgopoulou and Maria Founti
Additional contact information
Grusche J. Seithe: DNV-GL Group Technology and Research, Maritime Transport, Veritasveien 1, 1363 Høvik, Norway
Alexandra Bonou: Laboratory Of Heterogeneous Mixtures and Combustion Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Polytechnioupoli-Zografou Heroon Polytechniou 9, 15780 Athens, Greece
Dimitrios Giannopoulos: Laboratory Of Heterogeneous Mixtures and Combustion Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Polytechnioupoli-Zografou Heroon Polytechniou 9, 15780 Athens, Greece
Chariklia A. Georgopoulou: DNV-GL Maritime R&D and Advisory, South East Europe and Middle East, 5 Aitolikou Str., 18545 Piraeus, Greece
Maria Founti: Laboratory Of Heterogeneous Mixtures and Combustion Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Polytechnioupoli-Zografou Heroon Polytechniou 9, 15780 Athens, Greece

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-20

Abstract: A “Well-to-Propeller” Life Cycle Assessment of maritime transport was performed with a European geographical focus. Four typical types of vessels with specific operational profiles were assessed: a container vessel and a tanker (both with 2-stroke engines), a passenger roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Pax) and a cruise vessel (both with 4-stroke engines). All main engines were dual fuel operated with Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Alternative onshore and offshore fuel supply chains were considered. Primary energy use and greenhouse gas emissions were assessed. Raw material extraction was found to be the most impactful life cycle stage (~90% of total energy use). Regarding greenhouse gases, liquefaction was the key issue. When transitioning from HFO to LNG, the systems were mainly influenced by a reduction in cargo capacity due to bunkering requirements and methane slip, which depends on the fuel supply chain (onshore has 64% more slip than offshore) and the engine type (4-stroke engines have 20% more slip than 2-stroke engines). The combination of alternative fuel supply chains and specific operational profiles allowed for a complete system assessment. The results demonstrated that multiple opposing drivers affect the environmental performance of maritime transport, a useful insight towards establishing emission abatement strategies.

Keywords: Life Cycle Assessment; Green House Gases; Energy Use; Sustainable Transport; Liquefied Natural Gas; Heavy Fuel Oil (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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