Blog · Hull Cleaning & Coatings
Proactive Hull Cleaning in 2026: DAFF and IMO Standards
The Push for Proactive Niche Area Management
The maritime industry has long viewed in-water hull cleaning as a straightforward way to maintain vessel hydrodynamic performance. However, regulatory scrutiny has tightened significantly by late 2026. Managing biofouling is no longer just about fuel efficiency. It is a mandatory biosecurity compliance issue for every international vessel arriving in Australian territorial seas.
For ship operators and agents, the landscape is complex. You must balance federal requirements, new international guidance, and strict local state rules. Relying solely on an anti-fouling system (AFS) is no longer sufficient. In fact, an antifouling coating alone is not recognized as an accepted biofouling management practice for Australian arrivals. Furthermore, coatings can degrade prematurely. The 2024 BIMCO Biofouling Survey found that 45 percent of participating companies reported at least one AFS-related failure in the previous five years.
This high rate of coating degradation makes proactive in-water cleaning essential. The marine environment is highly sensitive to invasive species transported in niche areas like sea chests, bow thruster tunnels, and cooling water intake gratings. When a vessel sits idle in warm waters, microfouling can rapidly progress to macrofouling. If a ship arrives in Australia with heavy macrofouling, biosecurity officers may order costly underwater inspections or direct the vessel to leave territorial waters for cleaning.
Navigating DAFF Requirements and MARS Reporting
Biofouling management has been mandatory for international arrivals since 15 June 2022 under the Biosecurity Act 2015. It is critical to remember that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) administers this scheme, not the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). AMSA focuses on port state control and administers the separate anti-fouling systems (AFS) certification regime. DAFF requires operators to submit biofouling information through the Maritime Arrivals Reporting System (MARS) prior to entry.
To demonstrate proactive biofouling management, a commercial vessel must rely on one of exactly three accepted practices:
- Operating under a Biofouling Management Plan and Record Book consistent with ABFMR Appendix A.
- Cleaning all biofouling from the hull and niche areas within 30 days before arrival.
- Implementing an alternative management practice pre-approved by DAFF, with the application submitted at least 30 days before arrival.
Operators must also account for the Australian Biofouling Management Requirements for Commercial Vessels (ABFMR-CV) Version 4, which took effect on 30 April 2026. If your vessel undergoes in-water cleaning, Appendix B of the ABFMR dictates the minimum information that must be included in the cleaning report to satisfy DAFF inspectors.
Aligning with IMO Circular 918 Standards
At the international level, the 2023 IMO biofouling guidelines (Resolution MEPC.378(80)) superseded the older 2011 standards. While these IMO guidelines remain voluntary, they set a globally consistent approach that heavily influences local port state expectations.
To further support these standards, the IMO approved MEPC.1/Circ.918 in April 2025. This Guidance on in-water cleaning of ships' biofouling outlines specific protocols for safely planning cleaning operations, assessing coating compatibility, and implementing capture technologies. Ensuring your chosen diving contractor or ROV service adheres to Circular 918 provides excellent documentary evidence that your cleaning practices meet international benchmarks.
Queensland Rules for Port of Brisbane Arrivals
Executing an in-water clean within Australian waters requires careful planning. If your vessel is calling at the Port of Brisbane and requires emergency hull grooming, you cannot simply deploy divers at the anchorage.
In Queensland, the state government strictly controls marine pest risks. Any in-water hull cleaning requires separate, prior approval on top of the federal capture requirements. Operators or agents must contact Biosecurity Queensland (13 25 23) and the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) to navigate the notification and approval processes.
State authorities evaluate the biosecurity risk, the proposed capture technology, and the potential for coating damage. Brisbane's position near sensitive marine ecosystems means DETSI takes a rigorous approach to environmental protection. The state requires concrete proof that your chosen cleaning method removes the fouling and safely filters the effluent to prevent the release of viable biological matter or toxic copper-based biocides. Because obtaining these approvals is time-intensive, reactive in-water cleaning in Queensland should be treated as a contingency rather than a standard operating procedure.
Actionable Steps for Late 2026 Arrivals
To ensure smooth biosecurity clearance and minimize port delays, ship operators and agents should take the following steps:
- Review the Biofouling Management Plan: Ensure your vessel-specific plan aligns with the 2023 IMO guidelines and DAFF ABFMR Version 4.
- Vet Cleaning Vendors: When scheduling in-water cleaning at international ports prior to your Australian voyage, verify that the vendor uses capture technologies consistent with MEPC.1/Circ.918.
- Secure Cleaning Reports: Ensure the final report provided by the cleaning company meets the specific data requirements of ABFMR Appendix B.
- Leverage Technology: Use digital tools like Berthfile's biofouling copilot to streamline MARS pre-arrival paperwork and ensure all evidentiary requirements are met before the vessel reaches Australian territorial seas.
As always, this post provides general information and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. By staying proactive and maintaining rigorous documentation, operators can confidently manage their niche area fouling and ensure compliant Australian port calls.