NZ increases biofouling charges on cargo ships

New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has strengthened compliance enforcement and restructured fees for commercial vessels entering its coastal waters in a bid to recover costs compliance costs.

As of 1 April 2026, taxpayer subsidies for commercial vessels will end, and new border fees will be implemented raising biofouling charges to NZ$4,679 (US$2,707) from NZ$ 3,717 (US$2,151).

Strict regulations were first passed in 2018, known as the Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) for biofouling and this regulation was fully effective from April 2025. Non-compliant vessels now face significant costs from operational delays and mandatory hull cleaning, which can be even more substantial than a direct fine.