Energy transition in ocean transportation
Η ενεργειακή μετάβαση στις θαλάσσιες μεταφορές
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Keywords
Energy transition ; Ocean transportation ; Fuels ; Maritime fuels ; Green energy ; LNG ; Ενεργειακή μετάβαση ; Ναυτιλία ; Καύσιμα ναυτιλία ; Θαλάσσιες μεταφορέςAbstract
As the global shipping sector faces mounting pressure to decarbonize in alignment with the climate goals of the Paris Agreement and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), identifying viable alternative marine fuels has become a strategic imperative. This thesis provides a comprehensive, comparative assessment of emerging marine fuel options, aiming to support informed decision-making for maritime stakeholders navigating the energy transition.
The study adopts an integrated methodological framework combining Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA), and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). A structured evaluation matrix was developed to assess seven prominent alternative fuels: green and blue hydrogen, green and blue ammonia, bio- and e-methanol, advanced biofuels (such as FAME and bio-methane), liquefied natural gas (LNG), nuclear propulsion via Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and battery-electric systems. Each fuel is evaluated across seven performance criteria—lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, energy density, infrastructure readiness, safety and toxicity, technological maturity, cost (CAPEX/OPEX), and regulatory alignment.
Quantitative data were collected from peer-reviewed scientific literature, techno-economic datasets, and policy documents, and normalized using min–max scaling. Qualitative assessments and expert insights were used to complement gaps in data. The results indicate that no single fuel outperforms across all criteria. Green ammonia and hydrogen demonstrate high decarbonization potential but face major infrastructure and storage challenges. Biofuels and e-methanol show moderate environmental performance but higher readiness and cost efficiency in the short term. LNG remains a transitional option with infrastructure advantages but limited climate benefits due to methane slip. Nuclear propulsion emerges as a highly efficient and long-term option for large vessels, yet is hindered by social acceptance, safety concerns, and regulatory barriers.
The final ranking emphasizes the need for a diversified, multi-fuel strategy, tailored to ship type, route, and regional policy context. This thesis contributes to the academic and policy discourse by offering a transparent, replicable methodology for assessing the feasibility of marine fuels in decarbonization scenarios. It also identifies key knowledge gaps and suggests research priorities for closing them, reinforcing the role of evidence-based planning in shaping sustainable maritime transport.
Postgraduate Studies Programme
Κλιματική Κρίση και Τεχνολογίες Πληροφορικής και Επικοινωνιών / MSc in Climate Crisis and Information and Communication TechnologiesDepartment
Σχολή Τεχνολογιών Πληροφορικής και Επικοινωνιών. Τμήμα Ψηφιακών ΣυστημάτωνNumber of pages
95Language
EnglishCollections
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Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα
Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα