LCA as a tool to aid in the selection of retrofitting alternatives

•The study shows the benefits of using LCA as a valid tool for the maritime industry.•Three different contemporary ballast water treatment systems are assessed.•The theory and results serve in choosing sound shipboard retrofitting alternatives.

The present study is the authors’ intention to evidence the advantages of using the LCA methodology, specifically as a tool applicable to shipboard and maritime industry operations, in order to estimate and compare environmental loads resulting from these.The intended application of the methodology is through a comparative assertion between three different contemporary ballast water treatment technologies. Each system is assessed and compared to the other, while being functionally modelled using a case vessel scenario, and weighted and reviewed using the ISO 14040 and 14044 guidelines.The study will document the true benefit of the methodology, as a tool to assist in the decision-making process for ship-owners and fleet managers, during the process and practical evaluation of ship retrofitting, e.g. choosing and retrofitting from a different array of ballast water treatment system alternatives. Additionally, a cost–benefit analysis is carried out against the systems, shown in comparison with the environmental impact results, and thus resulting on a more accurately holistic assessment.