Impacts of lifecycle perspectives in early stage ship design

Abstract

In 2018, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
from shipping were estimated to account for 2.9% of global emissions, with
projections indicating an increase of up to 44% by 2050 under various long-term
energy and economic scenarios. In response, the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) has set ambitious targets to reduce carbon intensity by at
least 40% by 2030 and achieve net-zero GHG emissions around 2050. This research
explores the potential and implications of integrating life cycle environmental
performance evaluations into early-stage ship design, moving beyond the
traditional “tank-to-wake” focus to encompass the entire life cycle of a
vessel. Incorporating Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) into the design stage promises
to optimize vessel design by addressing environmental and economic impacts
across its full lifecycle, from construction to decommissioning. The primary
objective of this report is to investigate the extent to which life cycle
assessment optimization, based on cost and environmental impact, can be
performed and implemented in the conceptual ship design of complex vessels, and
to assess how it can support the development of new designs. This study
presents an analysis of the lifecycle stages of ships and introduces Ulstein
Design & Solutions B.V.’s innovative design tool, Blended. Through an
extensive review of life cycle thinking methods, material and energy flow
analyses, industrial ecology practices, and socio-economic impact assessments,
the research establishes criteria for evaluating the applicability of these
methodologies. A trade-off analysis guides the selection of an appropriate
approach, leading to the development of a novel method to integrate life cycle
assessments into the Blended Design tool. Key outcomes of the research include
the identification of relevant life cycle assessment methodologies and their
applicability to early-stage ship design. Additionally, an approach has been
developed to integrate both cost- and GHG-emissions-based life cycle
assessments into Blended, focusing on the shipbuilding and decommissioning
phases. Furthermore, the study demonstrates how life cycle assessment
integration can influence early design decisions, particularly by addressing
the environmental and economic trade-offs that arise during construction and
maintenance. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing lifecycle
impacts in early-stage ship design to prevent burden shifting between lifecycle
phases. It also highlights the need for robust data collection and the
development of performance indicators tailored to specific ship designs to
enable reliable assessments, despite the limited information available at the
early stages of design. In conclusion, this research advances the understanding
of how LCA can be applied in conceptual ship design to meet sustainability
objectives. By enabling full lifecycle optimization within the Blended Design
tool, it offers a pathway to creating vessel designs that balance environmental
responsibility with economic viability, contributing to the maritime industry’s
efforts to meet international decarbonization targets.