Researchers at the University of Strathclyde have published a study in Energy Conversion and Management presenting a comprehensive multi-criteria assessment of electro-fuel-based marine power systems for deep-sea container ships. The research addresses the challenge of selecting alternative fuels and propulsion technologies that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while remaining economically viable and compliant with evolving International Maritime Organization requirements.

The study evaluates six retrofit configurations based on e-ammonia, e-methanol and renewable liquid hydrogen, used in either dual-fuel engines or proton-exchange membrane fuel-cell systems. Using a real ship operating profile, the researchers combined dynamic energy modelling, life-cycle environmental assessment, techno-economic analysis, regulatory compliance evaluation, multi-criteria decision analysis and uncertainty quantification.

Results show that the hydrogen fuel-cell system achieved the best energy and environmental performance, reducing energy consumption by 16.3% and lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 88.4% compared with the conventional diesel baseline. The ammonia dual-fuel engine, meanwhile, provided the most economically attractive retrofit pathway, while methanol-based systems offered an intermediate compromise between environmental and economic performance. The analysis indicates that there is no universally optimal solution, and that fuel selection should reflect vessel characteristics, operational requirements, infrastructure availability and long-term regulatory objectives.

The findings provide practical, data-driven guidance for shipowners, designers and policymakers evaluating alternative marine fuels and propulsion technologies. The paper, entitled Comparative Multi-Criteria Assessment of Electro-Fuel-Based Marine Power Systems for Container Ships, was published online on 29 June 2026. 

Aricle Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121836