The detrimental impact of biofilm on ship fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions

Biofilm presents a significant challenge in the maritime transport industry by increasing surface roughness, leading to higher fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study employs a comprehensive lifecycle assessment (LCA) methodology to evaluate the environmental impact of biofouling, integrating operational, maintenance, and fuel production phases. The analysis incorporates condition-specific Specific Fuel Oil Consumption (SFOC) values and numerical simulations based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach. Two representative ship types, a Very Large Crude Carrier (KVLCC2) and a Handymax Bulk Carrier (BC), are analyzed under eight fouling conditions to quantify their impacts on hydrodynamic performance, fuel oil consumption, and CO₂ emissions. The results reveal that operational emissions dominate total lifecycle Global Warming Potential (GWP), with significant variations across fouling conditions. Maintenance emissions, although minor, play a critical role in mitigating resistance induced by biofouling. Fuel production emissions further contribute to lifecycle impacts. The LCA framework enables a holistic understanding of emissions trade-offs between hull cleaning and operational fouling, offering a data-driven basis for evaluating long-term environmental benefits. This study highlights the critical importance of biofouling management strategies, such as hull cleaning and antifouling coatings, to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce lifecycle GWP.