New Zealand claims to have become the first country in the world to introduce a nationwide standard for biofouling.
From today (15 May), all commercial vessel operators will have to show they have managed biofouling on their vessels before they enter the country’s waters.
A ‘clean hull’ is deemed to be one that has no more than a slime layer coating of marine growth on the hull and submerged niche areas – for example, sea chests, bow thrusters, seawater systems, and propeller shafts.
