Assessment of environmental impacts and costs for hydrogen-powered cargo shipping in Europe

Schlehuber, Simon; Gutsch, Moritz; Kronemeyer, Niklas; Frieden, Florian; von Delft, Stephan

Forschungsartikel (Zeitschrift) | Peer reviewed

Zusammenfassung

The transportation of goods contributes considerably to global greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the urgency of sustainable transport solutions. A promising yet underexplored solution is the introduction of small autonomous-driving hydrogen-powered boats (AHB) that can substitute long-haul trucking. Here we address this gap by modelling an AHB and then performing a life cycle assessment, coupled with a total cost of ownership analysis, across various scenarios. AHBs powered by green hydrogen are expected to emit 0.46 kg CO2 eq km−1 and cost 0.82 € km−1 on average. In contrast, AHBs powered by gray hydrogen are characterized by average emissions of 1.12 kg CO2 eq km−1 and costs of 0.42 € km−1. Furthermore, costs of the modelled AHB are compared to those of semi-trucks powered by different fuels to gauge the AHB’s real world applicability. The results show that an AHB could be the cost-optimal solution for non-time sensitive transportation of goods exceeding distances of 624 km.

Details zur Publikation

FachzeitschriftCommunications Engineering (CommsEng)
Jahrgang / Bandnr. / Volume4
Ausgabe / Heftnr. / Issue50
StatusVeröffentlicht
Veröffentlichungsjahr2025 (17.03.2025)
Sprache, in der die Publikation verfasst istEnglisch
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00388-4
Link zum Volltexthttps://www.nature.com/articles/s44172-025-00388-4
StichwörterLifecycle Assessment; Cost Analysis; Sustainability; Clean Transport Solution, Hydrogen Economy

Autor*innen der Universität Münster

Frieden, Florian
Betriebswirtschaftslehre für Naturwissenschaften (Prof. Leker)
Gutsch, Moritz
Betriebswirtschaftslehre für Naturwissenschaften (Prof. Leker)
Kronemeyer, Niklas
Institut für Betriebswirtschaftliches Management im Fachbereich Chemie und Pharmazie
Schlehuber, Simon
Professur für Chemie und Unternehmertum (Prof. von Delft)
von Delft, Stephan
Professur für Chemie und Unternehmertum (Prof. von Delft)