Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Cost and Ship Design Optimisation for Sustainable Electric Ships: A Review

This paper reviews the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Cost Assessment (LCCA), and ship design optimisation methods and examines the extent to which these approaches have been integrated to support sustainable electric ship design. The main goal is to understand how these methods have been applied and where the key gaps remain. The review analyses current practices in environmental and cost assessments of ship systems and design, along with ship design optimisation methods aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions. Overall, the reviewed literature shows that LCA, LCCA, and ship design optimisation are generally applied as separate processes rather than parts of an integrated framework. Key gaps include the lack of models that account for time-varying costs, changes in technology and energy systems. Additionally, this paper highlights the need for integrated and adaptive frameworks, supported by open and standardised data and digital tools, to better connect environmental and economic considerations across a vessel’s life cycle, for more practical and sustainable ship design.