Cruise passengers stranded after marine growth halts ship

The Viking Orion was reportedly denied permission to dock in Adelaide after authorities discovered "biofoul" - an accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals, Qazet.az reports.

This can allow invasive species to be imported into non-native habitats. 

Officials said the ship's hull must be cleaned before entering Australia. 

Previous reports suggested the growth was a fungus, but this was not confirmed by the Australian fisheries department.