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Ocean Engineering, Volume 77, 1 February 2014, Pages 33-41.
Eduardo Blanco-Davis, Peilin Zhou.
University of Strathclyde, Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Henry Dyer Building, 100 Montrose Street, Glasgow G4 0LZ, United Kingdom.
Abstract
The present study is the authors’ intention to evidence the advantages of using the LCA methodology, specifically as a tool applicable to shipboard and maritime industry operations, in order to estimate and compare environmental loads resulting from these.
The intended application of the methodology is through a comparative assertion between three different contemporary ballast water treatment technologies. Each system is assessed and compared to the other, while being functionally modelled using a case vessel scenario, and weighted and reviewed using the ISO 14040 and 14044 guidelines.
The study will document the true benefit of the methodology, as a tool to assist in the decision-making process for ship-owners and fleet managers, during the process and practical evaluation of ship retrofitting, e.g. choosing and retrofitting from a different array of ballast water treatment system alternatives. Additionally, a cost–benefit analysis is carried out against the systems, shown in comparison with the environmental impact results, and thus resulting on a more accurately holistic assessment.
