Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Process Safety and Environmental Protection, cilt.202, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
The shipbuilding industry, characterized by its high technological demands and large-scale processes, poses significant risks to both human health and environmental quality. To mitigate these risks, eco-friendly strategies must be integrated from the design phase onward. This study evaluates the environmental impacts of sustainable shipbuilding processes through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), with a particular focus on process optimization to enhance overall environmental performance. A gate-to-gate LCA was conducted using the software SimaPro 9.1.0.8 to assess the environmental impacts of shipbuilding activities, including cutting, welding, blasting, and painting. Due to the relevance of marine-related categories (e.g., Marine Ecotoxicity and Marine Eutrophication), the ReCiPe method was selected for the life cycle impact assessment. Comparative LCA analyses were carried out for both individual technologies and the overall ship construction process, contrasting conventional and alternative approaches in the production of a dry bulk carrier. Cutting and welding processes were found to have higher environmental impacts in most categories, particularly in Global Warming, Ecotoxicity, and Human Carcinogenic Toxicity. The implementation of alternative technologies resulted in significant impact reductions 19.9 % for Global Warming, 39.89 % for Marine Ecotoxicity, 79.98 % for Terrestrial Ecotoxicity, and 98.18 % for Human Carcinogenic Toxicity compared to conventional methods. In conclusion, the use of alternative, best-available shipbuilding technologies leads to notable reductions in environmental impacts. By integrating environmental considerations into the design phase and adopting eco-friendly construction practices, this study contributes to minimizing ecological burdens and promoting sustainability in shipbuilding, thereby enhancing the maritime industry's overall environmental performance.