Abstract
This paper evaluates the environmental impact that is likely to be caused by modification of the hull form of traditional wooden country boat to ship shape, more suited to the speed range being encountered recently, in Bangladesh. For carrying out a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA), two major inventory items are considered; the material (steel) as well as the energy input required for building boats and the fuel consumed during operation a boat for a period of 5 years. Different compounds and substances consumed or released during the production and use of the transport were considered. The impact categories considered are global warming, acid rain, eutrophication, and local air pollution. The analysis was based on assumptions such as the draft restrictions in the inland waterways, the economic speed of transportation combining fuel consumption and market demand, the steel fabrication standard in Bangladesh, etc. The analysis is based on impacts for unit ton-km since the number of vessels will change total number of crafts required to meet a specified demand with modification of the hull shape. The results show that such a transformation in the hull form of the inland vessels can reduce environmental burden up to 35% caused by the transport undertaken by vessels.
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