Taking a cruise across the Mediterranean this summer? Microbial control technologies are used in paints to prevent unwanted marine organisms from developing on the ships’ hull.

Antifouling paints serve a dual purpose: they help ships save energy by preventing the development of barnacles, mussels and algae that would otherwise affect their hydrodynamics and lead to more fuel consumption. Microbial control also protects local biodiversity and avoids upsetting specific ecosystems by preventing ships from accidentally transferring certain species, which might otherwise develop on their hulls, from one area to another.