The main goal of Task 3.2 is to estimate the environmental impacts of typical shipyard operations identified and analyzed in Task 3.1. The process begins by identifying the key environmental impacts of these activities and selecting the most appropriate methods for measuring or estimating them. During this initial phase, a study was conducted on processes already recognized as critical across all shipyards.
In Task 3.1, NTUA, DLR, Azimut Benetti, and Astander gathered information on major environmental processes and impacts, which serves as the foundation for Task 3.2. Through expert consultation and literature review, a comprehensive list of key shipyard processes (for both steel and composite materials) and their respective environmental impacts was compiled.
ISQ will follow the methodology outlined in ISO 14044, an international standard that provides guidelines for conducting Life Cycle Assessments. The first step, scope definition, has already been completed, including the definition of system boundaries and the selection of environmental impact categories to be assessed. The next phase involves compiling a life cycle inventory, which includes collecting data on all process inputs and outputs. During this stage, ISQ will develop quantification methods to enable the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA), which translates inventory data into environmental impact categories. This final step will be carried out in subsequent tasks.
During the initial phase, ISQ focused on defining the task’s objectives while simultaneously developing a system to estimate the environmental impact of each process input and output using the most appropriate quantification methods. ISQ will primarily use four methods: emission factors, direct measurement, mass balance, and calculations.
The first process assessed for impact quantification was plasma cutting, a widely used technology in shipyards worldwide. Due to its significance, it was identified as a primary research focus during the first site visit, which also provided insights into shipyard operations and key areas where the project’s efforts should be directed. A literature review allowed for the development of an impact assessment framework for plasma cutting, focusing on metal fume emissions, material consumption and waste generation, energy use, and noise emissions.
ISQ has also conducted research on the environmental impact quantification of other cutting and welding processes. The next steps will involve further developing quantification methods for the remaining processes, beginning with identifying their key environmental impacts and selecting the most effective measurement approaches.
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].
