Biocides - a necessary tool for managing biofouling

Questions are being asked about the sustainability of biocides in a world where ESG standards and regulations are forcing operators to think harder about the choices they need to make

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The prevention of biofouling is a hot topic in shipping generally and for regulators in particular. Biocidal antifouling coatings containing active substances that control the growth of unwanted organisms can and do make a huge contribution to combatting the global issue, but the biocides themselves are under scrutiny even though the industry still considers biocides as a key contributor to sustainable shipping.

Throughout maritime history ship operators have been engaged in a struggle with nature that has seen them attempting to reduce or eliminate the impact of biofouling on the operation of their vessels. Today there are multiple options available with antifouling coatings containing biocides the most popular and effective across the shipping industry. But questions are being asked about their sustainability in a world where Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) standards and regulation are forcing operators to think harder about the choices they need to make.

“Biofouling – the accumulation of marine organisms on the hull of a ship – reduces the efficiency of the vessel causing it to slow down or to use more fuel to maintain operational speed. That is a problem regardless of the owner’s operating strategy. Whether operating directly on the owner’s account, or through charterers, it reduces profitability,” said Morten Sten Johansen, Global Category Director, Jotun.

Controlling biofouling has become even more important with the IMO EEDI regulations in 2013 for new vessels and the EEXI regulations for existing vessels in 2023 along with the CII operational limits on CO₂ emissions. With these in place, owners are no longer combatting biofouling purely for their own operation and economic reasons but also to meet mandatory requirements aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the shipping industry.