Port-LCA: a real-time life cycle assessment framework for vessel GHG emissions in ports

This study introduces Port-LCA, an innovative Life Cycle Assessment approach aimed at quantifying Well-to-Wake (WTW) greenhouse gas emissions from vessels when they are inside port limits. In contrast to traditional inventory approaches, Port-LCA incorporates AIS-based vessel monitoring, operating phase segmentation, engine-specific modeling, and distinct fuel route data to provide precise, real-time emissions estimates of vessels inside specific port boundaries. A hypothetical case study with a bulk carrier (MDO), a tanker (LNG), and a container vessel (green methanol) demonstrates the methodology's capacity to quantify emissions by phase, vessel type, and fuel strategy. The results underscore the relevance of auxiliary engine emissions during berthing and anchoring, as well as the necessity of considering upstream fuel production implications. Port-LCA provides pragmatic insights for ports and authorities aiming for data-driven decarbonization. Future endeavors will encompass model validation utilizing operational information and incorporation into pollution monitoring and regulatory frameworks. INTRODUCTION Member nations worldwide have committed to reaching net-zero GHG emissions by around 2050, aligning with updated guidelines from the IMO (ABS, 2025). This commitment significantly raises the urgency for the international shipping sector to reduce emissions. To achieve intermediate milestones, a 20% emissions reduction by 2030 and a 70% reduction by 2040 compared to 2008 levels, there is an essential need for improved emission tracking and increased operational efficiency, particularly during activities at ports. Ports play a crucial role as central hubs in maritime logistics, making precise, timely, and practical emissions data increasingly important. Traditional methods of emissions monitoring, which typically depend on static inventories and average annual figures, fail to capture the dynamic changes associated with vessel activities such as maneuvering, anchoring, and berthing. The AIS has recently become an effective solution for monitoring detailed vessel movements, offering high geographical accuracy and real-time precision. This capability has allowed for the creation of detailed, bottom-up emissions inventories (Jalkanen et al., 2009; Chen et al., 2024). At the same time, LCA methodologies have advanced toward more dynamic and real-time frameworks that integrate operational data, enabling flexible and accurate environmental analyses (Kim, 2025; Costa et al., 2024).