Life Cycle Assessment Method for Ship Fuels Using a Ship Performance Prediction Model and Actual Operation Conditions—Case Study of Wind-Assisted Cargo Ship

Mohammad Hossein Arabnejad, Fabian Thies, Hua-Dong Yao and Jonas W. Ringsberg ()
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Mohammad Hossein Arabnejad: Division of Marine Technology, Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
Fabian Thies: Division of Marine Technology, Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
Hua-Dong Yao: Division of Marine Technology, Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
Jonas W. Ringsberg: Division of Marine Technology, Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-18

Abstract: Although wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) is an effective technique for reducing the emissions of merchant ships, the best fuel type for complementing WASP remains an open question. This study presents a new original life cycle assessment method for ship fuels that uses a validated ship performance prediction model and actual operation conditions for a WASP ship. As a case study, the method is used to evaluate the fuel consumption and environmental impact of different fuels for a WASP ship operating in the Baltic Sea. Using a novel in-house-developed platform for predicting ship performance under actual operation conditions using hindcast data, the engine and fuel tank were sized while accounting for fluctuating weather conditions over a year. The results showed significant variation in the required fuel tank capacity across fuel types, with liquid hydrogen requiring the largest volume, followed by LNG and ammonia. Additionally, a well-to-wake life cycle assessment revealed that dual-fuel engines using green ammonia and hydrogen exhibit the lowest global warming potential (GWP), while grey ammonia and blue hydrogen have substantially higher GWP levels. Notably, NOx, SOx, and particulate matter emissions were consistently lower for dual-fuel and liquid natural gas scenarios than for single-fuel marine diesel oil engines. These results underscore the importance of selecting both an appropriate fuel type and production method to optimize environmental performance. This study advocates for transitioning to greener fuel options derived from sustainable pathways for WASP ships to mitigate the environmental impact of maritime operations and support global climate change efforts.

Keywords: alternative fuels; cargo ship; life cycle assessment; ship performance model; wind-assisted propulsion system (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: 2025
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