Proposed Regulations on the Management of Hull Biofouling in Norway – Consultation
ATTN: ALL FULL MEMBERS
ALL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Dear Members,
the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has launched a second consultation on its revised draft Regulations concerning the management of hull biofouling. This follows an initial consultation in 2024.
Applicability
The regulation applies to Norwegian and foreign ships and mobile offshore units operating in Norwegian territorial waters, including around Svalbard and Jan Mayen, subject to international law.
Timeline
The Regulations are scheduled for adoption on 1 January 2026, with a proposed effective date of 1 July 2028.
Scope
The proposed Regulations on the management of hull biofouling establish requirements for preventive measures by raising awareness of proper biofouling management practices. They require ships and mobile offshore units entering Norway’s territorial waters to have a biofouling management plan.
This plan must outline measures and procedures to limit biofouling and keep it to a minimum. In addition, the Regulations mandate documentation of ongoing or completed actions taken to control or remove biofouling.
- While the Regulations draw on the IMO’s 2023 Biofouling Guidelines (MEPC.378(80)), they introduce several binding national requirements that go beyond the IMO guidance.
Summary of Key Elements
Macro-fouling Prohibition
Vessels must not have macrofouling on their hulls upon entry or during their stay in Norwegian waters. Vessels must carry:
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- A biofouling management plan tailored to the vessel
- Documentation of the most recent biofouling control measure performed before arrival
Cleaning Requirement
If macrofouling is detected, cleaning must commence within 24 hours of arrival in territorial waters.
Cleaning Technology
Hull cleaning in Norwegian waters is only permitted using Best Available Technology (BAT), evaluated against five criteria:
- Prevention of pollution
- Limitation of release of living organisms
- Effective removal of fouling
- Minimisation of damage to anti-fouling systems
- Greatest possible capture of removed material
Biofouling management plan
Ships must carry a biofouling management plan on board.
- There’s no obligation to submit these plans to the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) for approval; they remain under the ship’s internal control.
- Plans may be integrated into onboard electronic systems or the vessel’s ISM system. The IMO Biofouling Guidelines can be used as a helpful reference when developing the plan.
Requirement for Documentation
Ships and mobile offshore units must maintain documentation proving their hulls are free from macrofouling. The records must include:
- Time and location of biofouling removal
- Cleaning method used
- This aligns with the IMO Biofouling Guidelines, which recommend keeping a biofouling record book. Such documentation serves as evidence that proper biofouling management measures have been taken or are underway.
- The documentation can be kept in the form of a record book as suggested by the IMO guidelines.
Authority Powers
The NMA can order biofouling removal if there’s a specific risk of spreading invasive species. Such orders may include conditions to ensure cleaning is done safely and responsibly, using the best available technology.
Consultation
The Secretariat does not plan to submit comments to this consultation.
Members are encouraged to review the attached draft Regulations and submit comments directly to the NMA should they wish to do so. Comments may be submitted to: post@sdir.no
- The deadline for submitting comments to the NMA is 10 September 2025.
A copy of the English consultation document from the NMA is attached to this circular for your reference. For further information, including the consultation documents, please visit the NMA’s website: NMA website – Consultations
A copy of the 2023 GUIDELINES FOR THE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF SHIPS’ BIOFOULING TO MINIMIZE THE TRANSFER OF INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES can be found on the IMO website:
Kind Regards
Emmanuel Vergetis
