A Review of LCA Studies on Marine Alternative Fuels: Fuels, Methodology, Case Studies, and Recommendations

Wang, Y.; Xiao, X.; Ji, Y. (2025). A Review of LCA Studies on Marine Alternative Fuels: Fuels, Methodology, Case Studies, and Recommendations. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13(2), 196.https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13020196

@article{Wang-2025-,
author = {Wang, Y and Xiao, X and Ji, Y},
title = {A Review of LCA Studies on Marine Alternative Fuels: Fuels, Methodology, Case Studies, and Recommendations},
journal = {Journal of Marine Science and Engineering},
year = {2025},
month = {jan},
publisher = {MDPI},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {196},
doi = {10.3390/jmse13020196},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/2/196},
keywords = {Fossil-derived Hydrocarbons, Hydrogen, Wastes and Byproducts, Agriculture: Residues, Agriculture: Food and Oil Crops, Ammonia, Methane (Natural Gas), Methanol, Hydrogen, Biodiesel (FAME), Ethanol, Electrochemical, Thermochemical, Biochemical, Catalysis, Fuel Properties and Characteristics, Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) and Air Emissions, Ocean-going Vessels},
}

TY - JOUR
TI - A Review of LCA Studies on Marine Alternative Fuels: Fuels, Methodology, Case Studies, and Recommendations
AU - Wang, Y
AU - Xiao, X
AU - Ji, Y
T2 - Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
AB - Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology can be used to quantitatively assess the greenhouse gas emissions of low- or zero-carbon marine alternative fuels throughout their life cycle (from well to wake) and is an important basis for ensuring a green energy transition in the shipping industry. This paper first clarifies the trends and requirements of low-carbon development in shipping and introduces the major ship emission reduction technologies and evaluation methods. Next, the characteristics of various alternative marine fuels (i.e., LNG, hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, and biofuels) are comprehensively discussed and analyzed in terms of production, storage, transportation, and ship applications. In addition, this work provides a comprehensive overview of LCA methodology, including its relevant standards and assessment tools, and establishes a framework for LCA of marine alternative fuels. On this basis, a literature review of the current research on LCA of marine alternative fuels from the perspectives of carbon emissions, pollution emissions, and economics is presented. The case review covers 64 alternative-fueled ships and 12 groups of fleets operating in different countries and waters. Finally, this paper discusses the main shortcomings that exist in the current research and provides an outlook on the future development of LCA research of marine alternative fuels.
DA - 2025/01//
PY - 2025
PB - MDPI
VL - 13
IS - 2
SP - 196
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/2/196
DO - 10.3390/jmse13020196
LA - English
KW - Fossil-derived Hydrocarbons
KW - Hydrogen
KW - Wastes and Byproducts
KW - Agriculture: Residues
KW - Agriculture: Food and Oil Crops
KW - Ammonia
KW - Methane (Natural Gas)
KW - Methanol
KW - Hydrogen
KW - Biodiesel (FAME)
KW - Ethanol
KW - Electrochemical
KW - Thermochemical
KW - Biochemical
KW - Catalysis
KW - Fuel Properties and Characteristics
KW - Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) and Air Emissions
KW - Ocean-going Vessels
ER -