New biofouling rules drive up costs and accelerate hull technology adoption 

This increasingly complex regulatory environment will increase the operating costs, which will likely be passed on to consumers, Alpha Bulkers operations manager Mr Nikolaos Nikolaou told Riviera.

Brazil is the latest country to join the evolving biofouling regulatory landscape, following New Zealand and Australia. “The biggest confusion is that there is no global regulation, with each country implementing its own requirements,” Mr Nikolaou explained.

Speaking specifically about Brazil, he said the new requirements will have a significant impact on overall costs, which will ultimately affect consumers, given the country’s critical role in global food security as one of the world’s largest agricultural & mineral producers and exporters.

Ships are already required to comply with the new requirements in Brazil, with major charterers requesting hull condition and survey details from shipowners before chartering a vessel.

“With these new regulations, we are moving from reaction to prevention,” Mr Nikolaou explained.

According to recent P&I Club updates, vessels above 24 meters must plan and record proactive biofouling management measures to demonstrate a “clean hull” upon entering Brazilian waters or undertake reactive in-water hull cleaning to achieve the same outcome.

The operational requirements of Brazil’s new biofouling management regulation entered into force on 17 June 2025, while the enforcement of sanctions and penalties has been deferred and is currently scheduled to begin in January 2028.

Regarding the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Gard said in a recent update that it has agreed to develop a legally binding framework for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimise the transfer of invasive aquatic species – a potential “biofouling management convention”.

Work on such a convention is expected to commence in 2026, with a draft legal framework and recommendations on the way forward not expected to be finalised until 2029. Ratification will then be required before any agreed framework can enter into force.

Advanced technologies at the forefront

But how can shipping companies navigate this complex regulatory landscape?

Mr Nikolaou said shipowners are now preparing through a holistic strategy combining advanced technologies for vessel monitoring with crew training.

He highlighted advanced antifouling coatings for underwater hulls, including silicone-based and hydrodynamic coatings, which can extend the period a vessel can remain idle without experiencing significant performance losses.

Other opportunities to improve efficiency include the installation of high-performance propellers to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Regular hull maintenance, including periodic cleaning and proper tank maintenance, can also contribute to improved vessel performance.

Furthermore, Mr Nikolaou said companies must develop vessel-specific plans for each ship in their fleet trading to Australia, New Zealand and now Brazil.

Shipping offices should also use analytical data to monitor vessel performance and identify early signs of fouling.

“We have to monitor before the fouling becomes established,” Mr Nikolaou explained.

Timely and costly procedures

Commenting on the challenges associated with compliance, Mr Nikolaou noted that these measures can also increase operational costs, as more frequent inspections may be required to monitor hull condition, alongside additional administrative work and documentation requirements.

They may also lead to operational delays, as additional time is needed for maintenance and corrective actions.

He also highlighted the availability and limitations of hull cleaning services as another challenge.

In some ports, a vessel may not be able to complete hull cleaning within a single day, potentially requiring additional time alongside. The availability and quality of specialised cleaning services vary significantly by location, with some regions lacking advanced infrastructure, Mr Nikolaou added.