Tag: biofouling

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez applauded the important commitments made at the United Nations Ocean Conference last week (9-13 June) in Nice, France, while urging countries to deliver on these promises as soon as possible.

New Zealand has updated its Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) for vessels to strengthen marine biosecurity controls and biofouling management. 

Lloyd's Register (LR) has issued a publication to support the shipping industry in understanding and managing its impact on the marine environment.

The Norwegian Maritime Authority has submitted a draft regulation regarding the prevention of spreading invasive species via ship hulls.

During the latest IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting, held from April 7–11, 2025, several new outputs were approved, including the development of a legally binding instrument on biofouling and the endorsement of guidance on in-water cleaning of ships’ biofouling.

A new study, conducted by an independent marine coatings consultancy and published by I-Tech, reveals the widespread issue of barnacle biofouling on the global shipping fleet, with serious implications for decarbonisation efforts, thus highlighting the importance of antifouling. 

Britannia P&I Club has issued guidance regarding the operational, environmental, and legal implications of hull fouling on ships.

A global task force made up of partner countries and organizations of the GloFouling Partnerships Project is laying the groundwork for a follow-up initiative to address biofouling, which continues to be a major threat to ocean health. 

The Maritime Emissions Reduction Centre (MERC) has issued a publication on the role of advanced coatings in reducing emissions and improving vessel efficiency without requiring major structural modifications.

BIMCO informs that the IMO’s Pollution Prevention and Response Sub-Committee has finalized guidance on in-water cleaning of ships' biofouling, aligning with the 2023 Biofouling Guidelines.