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Marine Fuel Lifecycle Assessment (Well-to-Wake) - Definition & Meaning | Logistics Glossary

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GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 25, 2026

Marine Fuel Lifecycle Assessment (Well-to-Wake)

Unlike tank-to-wake analysis, which covers only combustion emissions produced onboard, Well-to-Wake lifecycle assessment traces the full greenhouse gas chain of a marine fuel—from extraction and refining through distribution to final combustion in the engine.

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Unlike tank-to-wake analysis, which covers only combustion emissions produced onboard, Well-to-Wake lifecycle assessment traces the full greenhouse gas chain of a marine fuel—from extraction and…

This matters most when comparing fuels: LNG may produce fewer exhaust emissions than heavy fuel oil yet carry significant upstream methane losses, making the Well-to-Wake balance less favourable than…

Shipowners, charterers, and fuel suppliers rely on Well-to-Wake data for procurement decisions, investor reporting, and regulatory compliance.

Last updated: 25 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/Lifecycle-GHG-Carbon-Intensity.aspx

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Marine Fuel Lifecycle Assessment (Well-to-Wake)

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Definition & Explanation

Unlike tank-to-wake analysis, which covers only combustion emissions produced onboard, Well-to-Wake lifecycle assessment traces the full greenhouse gas chain of a marine fuel—from extraction and refining through distribution to final combustion in the engine. This matters most when comparing fuels: LNG may produce fewer exhaust emissions than heavy fuel oil yet carry significant upstream methane losses, making the Well-to-Wake balance less favourable than a tank-to-wake figure suggests. Shipowners, charterers, and fuel suppliers rely on Well-to-Wake data for procurement decisions, investor reporting, and regulatory compliance. The methodology underpins IMO decarbonization frameworks and is increasingly embedded in EU maritime legislation.

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Recommended format: Source: Freight Academy – Marine Fuel Lifecycle Assessment (Well-to-Wake) (https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/marine-fuel-lifecycle-assessment-well-to-wake), accessed 2026-09-13
APA style: Freight Academy Editorial Team. (2025). Marine Fuel Lifecycle Assessment (Well-to-Wake). Freight Academy. https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/marine-fuel-lifecycle-assessment-well-to-wake
BibTeX: @misc{marinefuellifecycle2025, title = {Marine Fuel Lifecycle Assessment (Well-to-Wake)}, author = {{Freight Academy Editorial Team}}, year = {2025}, url = {https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/marine-fuel-lifecycle-assessment-well-to-wake}, note = {Freight Academy, accessed 2026-09-13} }

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