The need for environmentally friendly antifouling coatings to inhibit the growth of biofouling which can disrupt the ship's hydrodynamic system, increase fuel consumption, and contribute to exhaust gas emissions has become increasingly urgent since the International Maritime Organization banned the use of Tributyltin-based antifouling coatings in 2008 due to their toxic nature. This article presents a systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method, which involves the identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion stages, to examine the structured interrelation between biofouling, ship hydrodynamics, and the role of natural active compounds derived from corals and algae in inhibiting biofouling growth. The analysis of experimental and modeling results concerning biofouling, antifouling coatings, corals , algae , and ship hydrodynamics were analyzed based on selected literature sources. The findings indicate that biofouling can adversely affect a ships hydrodynamic system by increasing resistance due to hull surface roughness and fluid flow imbalances. However, this issue can be mitigated through preventive measures, particularly by applying environmentally friendly antifouling coatings on the ships surface. Several coral and algal species have shown promising potential as antifouling agents. The coral Sarcophyton glaucum and algae species Padina pavonica and Colpomenia sinuosa possess significant natural active compounds with strong antifouling properties, whereas other coral and algal species exhibit varying biological characteristics in inhibiting biofouling growth. Overall, this review emphasizes the substantial potential of corals and algae as natural sources of active compounds for future antifouling agents. Nevertheless, to support their application in marine transportation, continuous research, long-term evaluation, and the development of efficient large-scale production methods are required. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd.