Life cycle assessment for environment-friendly ferry service: A case study between South Korea and China

The major ports in the three provinces of China’s Northeast serve as crucial logistic hubs for inland cargo from Northeast China and the Far East, and are integral parts of the Maritime Silk Roads. Given the geographic, economic, cultural, and geopolitical significance of Northeast China, South Korea has identified this area as vital. Since 2013, ferry routes have been established, with three of the ten routes originating from the Northeast three provinces of China and terminating in the Incheon Port. This study analyzes the environmental impact of car ferries operating between South Korea and China using Life Cycle Assessment method. The findings indicate that transitioning from Heavy Fuel Oil to Liquefied Natural Gas serves as an effective transitional fuel for the decarbonization of shipping. The study highlights the necessity for technical and policy cooperation to facilitate the construction and deployment of eco-friendly car ferries, including promoting the conversion of South Korea-China ferry routes into green shipping corridors through collaborative efforts such as the South Korea-China Maritime Transportation Meeting. Thus, the study proposes mutual policy and financial support to enable the construction of eco-friendly car ferries in China’s Northeast three provinces, where existing vessels are over 25 years old.