ISO 6319 sets global standard for safe hull cleaning at ports
A new ISO standard, ISO 6319, has been published to guide ports, shipowners and operators on conducting hull cleaning in an environmentally responsible way.
The standard is designed to help shipping operators and regulators manage biofouling without releasing organisms or chemicals into the water, reducing the spread of invasive aquatic species while improving vessel efficiency and lowering fuel consumption and emissions.
“Biofouling on ships’ hulls can spread invasive species and damage ecosystems. It also increases drag, reducing vessel efficiency and raising fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions,” said Irene Øvstebø Tvedten, Senior Adviser at Bellona and Project Manager for the Clean Hull Initiative (CHI), which led development of ISO 6319.
The standard offers a clear structure for documenting hull-cleaning activities, helping operators demonstrate compliance and enabling authorities to assess whether the technology used meets environmental safeguards.
Tvedten added: “On Wednesday, the standard was finally published and is now available for global stakeholders.”
Port of Antwerp-Bruges contributed to the standard. Luc Van Espen, Port Environment Expert, said: “An internationally accepted standard creates a level playing field and limits the transfer of invasive species between ports.”
Global approval procedures for hull cleaning currently vary, creating operational uncertainty for shipowners.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen, a global RoRo operator and ISO 6319 contributor, highlighted the benefits of the standard for predictability.
Senior Manager, Kim-Helge Brynjulfsen, said: “When applications follow the same structure and technical specifications, authorities can process them more efficiently. For shipping companies, this means fewer disruptions and greater operational certainty.”
Other contributors include Jotun, a marine coatings and hull-cleaning technology provider. Petter Korslund, Regulatory Affairs Manager, noted: “ISO 6319 helps authorities assess whether cleaning systems sufficiently protect the environment. There are significant quality differences between systems, and the standard provides clarity for decision-making.”
Mark Riggio, Technical Director at BEMA, added: “ISO 6319 guides authorities on mitigating risks while promoting environmentally responsible hull cleaning.”
Tvedten emphasised the collaborative effort behind the standard: “Competitors put commercial interests aside to agree on terms for hull cleaning. It’s a significant achievement for proactive environmental management.”
The standard was initiated by the Clean Hull Initiative four years ago under Bellona’s leadership, with the aim of encouraging sufficiently frequent cleaning to maintain minimal biofouling.
In January 2025, Southern Ports became the fifth port authority globally to achieve certification (ISO 55001:2014) for its integrated asset management system.
