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Life Cycle Assessment of E-/Bio- Methanol and E-/Grey-/Blue- Ammonia

Abstract

In response to the increasing need for maritime decarbonisation illustrated by the ambitious 2050 net-zero greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions targets set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and EU regulations, this Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), commissioned by CMA CGM, evaluates the greenhouse gas emissions of alternative marine fuels, focusing on methanol and ammonia. These fuels are assessed across multiple production pathways as follows, to determine real-world emissions performance and compliance with regulatory frameworks: E-methanol: Produced from renewable hydrogen (electrolysis) and captured CO₂ (from flue gases or direct air capture). Bio-methanol: Derived from biomass gasification, using waste wood or cultivated wood as feedstock. E-ammonia: Synthesized from renewable hydrogen (electrolysis) and nitrogen from the air via the Haber-Bosch process. Blue ammonia: Produced using hydrogen from natural gas reforming (SMR or ATR), with carbon capture and storage (CCS) applied. And VLSFO (Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil), for the sake of having a comparison with a fossil-based fuel.