Skip to main content
Last reviewed:

October 2023: Changes to the CRMS for Vessels

As of the 13 October 2023, all biosecurity requirements for the topside of vessels and for biofouling are in the updated Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) for Vessels (2023). The new standard combines 2 previous standards – the Craft Risk Management Standard for Biofouling (2018) and the Craft Risk Management Standard for Vessels (2018). This comes into force from today, 13 October 2023.

Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) for Vessels (2023) [PDF, 1 MB]

New Zealand's biofouling requirements

All vessels must provide evidence of biofouling management before they arrive in New Zealand.

The Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) for Vessels outlines all biosecurity requirements for international vessels, including biofouling.

Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) for Vessels (2023) [PDF, 1 MB]

Related information

Frequently asked questions about the CRMS [PDF, 998 KB]

Vessel categories under the CRMS

Vessels are generally sorted into the following categories based on their intenerary and intended stay in New Zealand.

  • Short-stay vessels – those staying in New Zealand for less than 28 days, and only visiting approved places of first arrival. These usually include commercial vessels, including tankers, bulkers, container ships and commercial cargo vessels.
  • Long-stay vessels – those staying 29 days or longer, or visiting areas not approved as places of first arrival. This often includes work/project vessels, research vessels, defence vessels, yachts and other recreational vessels.

Find approved places of first arrival

Cruise vessels need to meet the requirements of long-stay vessels or operate under an MPI-approved system. For more information, email standards@mpi.govt.nz

How to comply with biofouling requirements

You'll be able to meet the biofouling requirements by doing one of the following (and having documentation to prove it):

  • Undertaking continual hull maintenance using best practices (only suitable for short-stay vessels).
  • Inspecting and, if necessary, cleaning the hull and niche areas within 30 days before arrival in New Zealand (recommended for long-stay vessels).
  • Booking an appointment for the vessel to be hauled out and cleaned by an MPI-approved treatment supplier within 24 hours of arrival (recommended for vessels coming to New Zealand for refit or repair).

Craft risk management plans

If your vessel can't meet the standard using one of these measures, you may develop a craft risk management plan that details alternate but equivalent measures to manage biofouling.

If you would like to develop a craft risk management plan, email standards@mpi.govt.nz

How to AVOID further DELAYS FROM PORT CONGESTION

Ensure you have a clean hull before your vessel leaves for New Zealand

A clean hull may reduce any additional biosecurity-related costs and delays, should unforeseen itinerary disruptions occur.

  1. Get ahead of your biofouling: organise an underwater inspection and act on all biofouling found.
  2. Ensure that your most recent underwater inspection or underwater cleaning report is supplied to MPI.
  3. Ensure that all other relevant paperwork is supplied to MPI.
  4. Let MPI know as soon as a delay becomes likely.
  5. Reach out to MPI prior to departure for New Zealand if you are unsure of whether to carry out biofouling management, or to seek further advice.

Following these 5 steps improves the likelihood of MPI granting a request to extend your itinerary. 

Port congestion: Vessel delays – suggested steps to take before coming to New Zealand [PDF, 366 KB]

If you have any questions, email:

Providing evidence of compliance

Before you arrive, MPI will ask to see evidence that you've undertaken one of the 3 measures listed above. Evidence must be verifiable, and may include:

  • your biofouling management plan and record book
  • dates and reports of dry docking
  • current antifouling certificates
  • a recent vessel biofouling inspection report
  • vessel operational history
  • evidence of ongoing maintenance (such as cleaning or treatment) by suitably qualified people.

Vessel biofouling inspection reports need to comply with the requirements of the CRMS for Vessels.   

Vessel biofouling inspections

The CRMS for Vessels requires that evidence of the hull and niche areas submitted to MPI meets the minimum evidence requirements for vessel biofouling inspections. This is to ensure that vessel operators obtain clear and extensive evidence of their hull and niche areas to support proactive biofouling management.

For a commercial vessel that has a 5-year dry docking cycle and has not operated outside of its profile, vessel inspections should be done annually for the first 2 years, then every 6 months. If a vessel falls outside its operational profile, then vessel inspections should be more frequent.

Requirements and further information

Diving inspections of vessels arriving to New Zealand [PDF, 2 MB]

Vessel checklist and reporting form [DOCX, 41 KB]

Self-assessment tool for biofouling

The risk of a vessel being fouled depends on a combination of indicators. MPI uses these indicators to assess the risk a vessel may pose.

You can use this flow chart to self-assess your vessel. Note, this information is guidance only and does not constitute, and should not be regarded as, legal advice.

If your vessel will likely be assessed as medium or high risk, consider reducing your risk by carrying out an in-water inspection or hull cleaning.

If you need any help assessing your vessel, email vessels@mpi.govt.nz

Biofouling compliance self-assessment tool for vessels arriving to New Zealand [PDF, 469 KB]

Continual maintenance using best practices

For short-stay vessels, the recommended option is to demonstrate continual hull maintenance using best practice. Best practice involves ongoing management of biofouling, including:

  • applying an antifouling paint on the hull and niche areas
  • developing, maintaining, and following a biofouling management plan
  • keeping records of maintenance activities in a biofouling record book
  • regular inspections and proactive cleaning of the slime layer and macrofouling on all submerged surfaces and niche areas.

Best practices are outlined in the International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species.

Download the IMO's biofouling guidelines

What to put in a biofouling management plan [PDF, 1009 KB]

Cleaning prior to arrival

For long-stay vessels, the recommended option is to clean the vessel's entire hull, including all niche areas, fewer than 30 days before arrival to New Zealand.

You must provide evidence that all hull and niche areas have been cleaned of all fouling in excess of goose barnacles and a slime layer. Acceptable evidence:

  • hull cleaning or dry docking reports
  • a vessel biofouling inspection report.

Cleaning with an MPI-approved treatment supplier

If you know your vessel is fouled and you want to have it hauled out or re-fitted in New Zealand, before you arrive you must:

  • book an appointment for haul-out with an MPI-approved treatment supplier (the booking time must be within 24 hours of arrival)
  • give MPI evidence of your booking with the provider.

Find MPI-approved New Zealand treatment suppliers

Currently, in-water cleaning of international vessels is not allowed in New Zealand. This means that there are no approved providers of in-water cleaning services for international vessels at this time.

Non-compliant vessels

If you cannot provide verifiable evidence that you've used one of the compliance options above, MPI may:

  • require a hull inspection on arrival to New Zealand
  • restrict your New Zealand itinerary
  • restrict entry of your vessel to New Zealand
  • ask you to clean your vessel within 24 hours by an approved provider in New Zealand.

These measures will be at the expense of the vessel owner or operator.

If you are directed to undertake a hull inspection on arrival, you can choose the inspection provider who will do this.

Specific advice for your vessel type

Check what you'll need to do to get your vessel ready to meet the new biofouling requirements.

Biofouling management for commercial vessels

Biofouling management for work vessels

Biofouling management for commercial fishing vessels

Biofouling management for recreational vessels

MPI can help you prepare

MPI can help you:

  • develop MPI-endorsed codes of practice for your industry group to help members comply with requirements
  • develop an MPI-approved craft risk management plan for your vessel
  • get advice on acceptable hull preparation, cleaning, treatment, and inspection.

For further details, email standards@mpi.govt.nz

Find out more

Technical guidance on biofouling management for vessels arriving to New Zealand [PDF, 402 KB]

Science behind the CRMS thresholds [PDF, 901 KB]

Who to contact

If you have questions about:

MPI business units