New whitepaper highlights rising barnacle biofouling risk for ship operators as regulations tighten

Swedish antifouling technology company, I-Tech AB, has published a new industry whitepaper offering shipowners, operators, and technical managers a data-driven guide to understanding, assessing and mitigating the growing operational and commercial risks posed by barnacle biofouling.

Drawing on extensive independent analysis of hull condition data by the Safinah Group, alongside key findings from leading academic and industry studies, the whitepaper reveals how, where, and why barnacle fouling develops across the global fleet and how coating choice influences risk. It also provides practical strategies to help ship owners manage risk, protect vessel efficiency, and maintain compliance with evolving biofouling and decarbonisation regulations.
As international biofouling management regulation moves steadily towards mandatory enforcement, and the number and stringency of regionally enforced mandatory rules increase, the new whitepaper — ‘Managing Barnacle Biofouling Risk in a Tightening Regulatory Environment ‘— provides the perfect tool for ship operators to act on controlling barnacle fouling below the waterline.

Barnacles are widely recognised as one of the most commercially damaging forms of marine biofouling. This is due to their strong adhesion to hull surfaces and their significant impact on hydrodynamic drag, which reduces vessel efficiency, increases fuel consumption, undermines decarbonisation efforts, threatens regulatory compliance, and negatively affects long-term profitability.

According to one academic study referenced in the whitepaper, as little as 10% barnacle coverage on an underwater hull may require up to 36% more shaft power to maintain speed, driving higher fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and voyage costs.

However, successful prevention of barnacle fouling on the hull yields multiple significant benefits for ship operators. Maintaining clean hulls is one of the few vessel efficiency measures capable of delivering immediate commercial and regulatory benefits across several environmental regulatory frameworks simultaneously. This includes Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings, and, for vessels operating in the European Union (EU), cleaner hulls reduce exposure to Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and FuelEU Maritime costs, without any changes to propulsion systems, technology use or fuel choices.

Swedish antifouling technology company, I-Tech AB, has published a new industry whitepaper offering shipowners, operators, and technical managers a data-driven guide to understanding, assessing, and mitigating the growing operational and commercial risks posed by barnacle biofouling.

Drawing on extensive independent analysis of hull condition data by the Safinah Group, alongside key findings from leading academic and industry studies, the whitepaper reveals how, where, and why barnacle fouling develops across the global fleet and how coating choice influences risk. It also provides practical strategies to help ship owners manage risk, protect vessel efficiency, and maintain compliance with evolving biofouling and decarbonisation regulations.
Barnacles are widely recognised as one of the most commercially damaging forms of marine biofouling. This is due to their strong adhesion to hull surfaces and their significant impact on hydrodynamic drag, which reduces vessel efficiency, increases fuel consumption, undermines decarbonisation efforts, threatens regulatory compliance, and negatively affects long-term profitability.

According to one academic study referenced in the whitepaper, as little as 10% barnacle coverage on an underwater hull may require up to 36% more shaft power to maintain speed, driving higher fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and voyage costs.

However, successful prevention of barnacle fouling on the hull yields multiple significant benefits for ship operators. Maintaining clean hulls is one of the few vessel efficiency measures capable of delivering immediate commercial and regulatory benefits across several environmental regulatory frameworks simultaneously. This includes Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings, and, for vessels operating in the European Union (EU), cleaner hulls reduce exposure to Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and FuelEU Maritime costs, without any changes to propulsion systems, technology use or fuel choices.