The Eco ShipYard (ESY) project is an ambitious project that aims to promote sustainable shipbuilding practices and material circularity in the EU. It does so by developing solutions that reduce a shipyard’s environmental impact, increase energy efficiency, and optimize operations. The project will also measure and reduce non-operational impacts of shipyards themselves.
The sustainable management of ships at the end of their life cycle is critical for the maritime industry’s transition towards environmental sustainability and economic viability. As task leader, the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) plays a pivotal role in ESY Task 2.3, developing a strategy for sustainable end-of-life management of ships that uses Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) methodologies. This task aligns with the EU regulatory framework and circular economy principles to ensure that end-of-life practices for ships are not only regulatory compliant but also contribute to broader sustainability goals.
The task will begin with a thorough literature review to identify best practices in ship end-of-life management and circular economy principles. This review will provide a foundational understanding of current methodologies and innovations.
Following the literature review, an LCA framework for ship end-of-life management will be developed. This framework will include data collection and detailed analysis of environmental impacts. This analysis covers each phase of the ship’s life cycle, with emphasis on the materials used. Additionally, a cost-benefit analysis for different end-of-life scenarios will be conducted to determine the most sustainable options.
Next, the environmental and economic impacts of various end-of-life management strategies will be evaluated. Metrics will be developed to assess the circularity and sustainability of these strategies, ensuring they align with circular economy principles.
Finally, innovative repurposing routes for end-of-life ship components, particularly focusing on composite materials, will be explored and proposed. The goal is to create added-value products that can be reintegrated into the shipbuilding industry, enhancing material reuse and reducing waste.
The outcome of this task will be a robust and sustainable end-of-life management strategy for ships that comprehensively considers both environmental and economic impacts, ultimately promoting more sustainable and cost-effective ship decommissioning processes.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 101138730. UK participation in EcoShipYard Project is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe guarantee [grant-number 10120898].
