Biofouling management

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, 1.7 MB]

Two vessel categories under the CRMS

Vessels are sorted into 2 different categories based on their 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.
• Long-stay vessels – those staying 29 days or longer, or visiting areas not approved as places of first arrival.

Find approved places of first arrival

Most short-stay vessels are commercial vessels, including:

• tankers
• bulkers
• container ships
• commercial cargo vessels.

Long-stay vessels often include:

• yachts and other recreational vessels
• cruise vessels
• work and project vessels
• research vessels
• defence vessels.

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 (recommended 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).

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.

How to develop a craft risk management plan

If your vessel can't meet the CRMS requirements using one of the 3 options, you may develop a craft risk management plan that outlines alternate but equivalent ways of managing biofouling. Craft risk management plans must:

• be approved by MPI
• include steps to reduce risk to the equivalent level of arriving with a clean hull.

Application form and guidance for developing a craft risk management plan [PDF, 949 KB]

If you are interested in developing a craft risk management plan, email standards@mpi.govt.nz

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:

• the CRMS, email standards@mpi.govt.nz
• bringing a vessel to New Zealand, email vessels@mpi.govt.nz