Idle ships spread invasive marine species

8 min read

Marine biologist Mario Tamburri warns that ships idled for extended periods in the Strait of Hormuz develop thick biofouling layers that begin with microbes and escalate to macroalgae, barnacles, bivalves and other animals. When those vessels resume voyages to nearby warm, high-salinity ports — including India, Singapore and parts of East Asia — they may introduce non-native organisms that can harm biodiversity, damage fisheries and foul infrastructure such as power plant cooling systems. Existing antifouling coatings and in-water cleaning methods have limits, and regional cleaning capacity and capture requirements may be insufficient to prevent spread.

Ships idled in the Strait can spread invasive marine species