Ot Be News

With supply chain attacks on the rise, and nation-state attackers constantly looking for new ways to disrupt national security and economic stability, one of the most vulnerable areas is the security around our maritime operations. The Biden-Harris Administration's recent Executive Order to fortify the cybersecurity of U.S. ports underscores this concern, spotlighting the urgency of addressing vulnerabilities in a sector that drives over $5.4 trillion in economic activity annually.

President Biden on Wednesday signed an Executive Order aiming to strengthen cybersecurity at U.S. ports amid growing threats to America's vital maritime supply chains.The directive bolsters the Department of Homeland Security’s authority to address maritime cyber threats, including through the creation of new standards to ensure the security of networks and systems throughout the nation’s marine transportation system (MTS), which supports $5.4 trillion in economic activity each year."Most critical infrastructure owners and operators have a list of safety regulations they have to comply with…

Marlink has further strengthened its cyber security portfolio with the addition of CyberGuard Unified Threat Management (CyberGuard UTM) to secure its customers’ digital transformation strategies.CyberGuard UTM reflects the growth of cyber threats in the maritime industry and the need to protect people and assets across a broader range of digital solutions. In particular, the growth of new LEO and 4G/5G services with greater bandwidth speed and lower latency require increased…

Britain's Princess Anne will on Friday officially open Port of Aberdeen’s £420 million South Harbor expansion project on Friday. The project is expected to catalyze a multi-billion-pound economic and job boost for Scotland.According to a press release issued by the port, independent analysis forecast that when the expanded Port of Aberdeen reaches its full potential the port’s Gross Value Added contribution will jump 60% to £2.4 billion and increase the number of jobs supported by 45% to 17…

Bureau Veritas (BV) has launched a new Cyber Health Analysis Report Tool (CHART) to help shipowners understand their ships’ digital architecture (OT/IT), specific vulnerabilities and level of preparedness to potential cyber threats.The aim of the tool is to enable a comprehensive technical assessment of a vessel’s cyber resilience at specific moments throughout its lifetime, responding to the need to constantly review, maintain and update systems in the face of evolving cyber threats.The tool provides a comprehensive audit of the vessel’s equipment…

Bureau Veritas (BV) launched its new Cyber Health Analysis Report Tool (CHART), designed to help shipowners gain a better understanding of their ships’ digital architecture (OT/IT), specific vulnerabilities and level of preparedness to potential cyber threats.The aim is to offer a comprehensive technical assessment of a vessel’s cyber resilience at specific moments in its lifetime, responding to the need to constantly review, maintain and update systems in the face of evolving cyber threats.The tool aims to provide a comprehensive audit of the vessel’s equipment…

ABS has been announced as the industry collaborator to build the Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology (MariOT) Systems. The project is led by iTrust, Center for Research in Cyber Security at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), in collaboration with ABS and Singapore Polytechnic’s Centre of Excellence in Maritime Safety (CEMS).The MariOT will support a host of cybersecurity activities to meet the challenges in the maritime industry’s push towards digitalization. MariOT will be the world's first industrial-grade, cyber-physical platform, combining essential shipboard OT systems with virtual simulation models. “We will build virtual models of ship OT systems using advanced multi-physics modeling and simulation.

As the move toward advanced remote and autonomous operation of vessels proceeds at speed, Vard Electro introduced SeaQ Remote to facilitate a new generation of larger robotic vessels.The new product, which will see its debut delivery on a total of 14 newbuild marine robotic vessels contracted with shipbuilder VARD, is designed to unify the SeaQ suite of automation systems into a single user interface with the full range of remote functionality from shore.“We are now investing heavily in autonomous technology and digitalization…

As the cyber threat continues to grow, so too do the solutions to thwart them. Marlink received the Innovation Endorsement certificate from Japanese class society ClassNK for its CyberGuard Threat Detection service.The ClassNK Products & Solutions Innovation Endorsement is designed to certify that products and solutions using advanced digital technologies perform as stated by the supplier. Marlink demonstrated the operation of the service during a functional confirmation test…

Upgraded data linkage designed to enable the seamless flow of information between design and class approval software, reducing time spent on information transfer by 30% and fostering closer collaboration.NAPA and ClassNK recently fortified their partnership to support the use of 3D models in the ship design approval process by streamlining data sharing between design and class approval software. “As the capabilities of 3D computer-aided design software improve, we see an acceleration in the use of 3D technologies in the shipbuilding industry," said Dr.

Marlink launched a new Application Partner Program aimed at supporting the increasingly rapid digitalization trend in maritime.To support the adoption of digital solutions, the program intends to provide direct digital enablement benefits to ship operators and application providers. With more than 600 ships currently connected and serviced under the new program, vessel operators are able to tap operational cost savings and application service providers are enlarging their scope…

Autonomous command and control systems developer Sea Machines Robotics announced it has advanced its multi-year Other Transaction (OT) agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). Phase 2 of the multiphase contract delegates $3.1 million to the deployment of a full-scale oceangoing replenishment platform.In October 2020, Boston-based Sea Machines was enlisted by the DoD to engineer, build and demonstrate ready-to-deploy system kits that transform existing commercial barges to platforms capable of landing and replenishing military aircraft.

KVH Industries, Inc. announced that Tile Marine, a marine services company in India and the Middle East, is now a KVH Watch Solution Partner and will offer KVH Watch connectivity to augment its extensive maritime solutions. Tile Marine’s services cover a wide range of electrical, electronic, and mechanical work for shipowners and shipyards including installation, maintenance, and repair of communications equipment, integrated bridge systems, and other critical maritime equipment.“With KVH Watch connectivity…

ClassNK released the latest version of its design support software PrimeShip-HULL (HCSR) Ver.8.0.0 developed in response to the IACS Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (CSR BC & OT). The new version incorporates the latest rule amendments to CSR BC & OT including the ones based on feedback from the industry. In addition to the incorporation of the latest rule amendments, various functional improvements are implemented to PrimeShip-HULL (HCSR), which is composed of the prescriptive calculation software and direct strength assessment software, aiming to contribute to the efficiency of design work. In particular,…

Recent cyber attacks to the US Government, the IMO, Maersk, amongst others has caused the world to pay attention to criminal cyber activities by foreign states, terrorists, and criminals. The cyber attack against CMA CGM shut down services for close on two weeks. Two days later, on October 30th the IMO was held hostage by a cyber attack. These attacks follow attacks earlier this year against MSC and COSCO.As of January 1, 2021 all vessels that have a safety management system must address cyber security in order to maintain ISM certification.

Norwegian marine seismic data firm PGS, in partnership with Angola's ANPG, has started a new MultiClient 3D survey in the Lower Congo Basin, near the river plume of the Congo in Angola Block 1/14. The acquisition phase will continue until April and fast-track data is expected in October 2021, the company said Monday. PGS said the survey was fully prefunded.As part ot the survey, the Ramform Atlas vessel is acquiring high-density 3D GeoStreamer data using a 10 x 8 025 m streamer spread.

There is  increasing pressure for shipowners to sharpen their environmental performance, driven by an IMO target to halve greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by 2050, regional regulations and market pull from charterers, banks and investors.“This represents a whole new ball game for the industry. Optimization of ship operations has traditionally been dictated by the efficiency of delivery around the globe that has typically meant being able to sail at full speed, thereby burning more fuel, to minimize costs for the charterer.

IMO2021 came into effect on January 1, and it is vital that ship owners and managers continue to monitor the systems and processes in place to ensure vessels remain cyber secure. Mike McNally, Commercial Director at GTMaritime discusses what shipping companies can do to ensure cyber security and that they remain compliant with the new regulations.The IMO2021 guidelines on maritime cyber risk management provide the basis for a safer, more secure and resilient cyber space for shipping operations.

ABB Marine & Ports has opened a new shipping cyber security laboratory ahead of stricter maritime cyber security rules due to enter force on January 1, 2021.In line with the guidelines set out by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the new laboratory features hardware and software systems developed to help shipowners and operators combat the maritime industry’s growing cyber security risks, ABB said. Customers are now being invited for virtual demonstrations of the laboratory’s systems and capabilities.With the rise of smarter…

Maritime cybersecurity is more important than ever, as made clear during an international webinar chaired Wednesday by the United States, the Netherlands and Denmark.The webinar was a continuation of the maritime cybersecurity event in the margins of the One Conference in The Hague in October 2019.Andreas Nordseth, Director General of the Danish Maritime Authority, said, “The technological developments hold great potential for improving the maritime sector even more, and ensuring the necessary digital and green transformation.”However…

Boston-based Sea Machines Robotics, a developer of autonomous command and control systems for surface vessels, said it has been awarded a multi-year Other Transaction (OT) agreement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to initiate a prototype that will enable commercial ocean-service barges as autonomous Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) units for an Amphibious Maritime Projection Platform (AMPP).Under this OT agreement, Sea Machines will engineer…

Cyber-attacks on the maritime industry’s operational technology (OT) systems have increased by 900% over the last three years with the number of reported incidents set to reach record volumes by year end.Addressing port and terminal operators during an online forum last week, Robert Rizika, Naval Dome’s Boston-based Head of North American Operations, explained that in 2017 there were 50 significant OT hacks reported, increasing to 120 in 2018 and more than 310 last year. He said this year is looking like it will end with more than 500 major cyber security breaches…

Maritime and offshore energy companies are facing a number of new challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. One of these is an increase in cyber security threats, reports Naval Dome, who says there's been a 400% increase in attempted cyber attacks in these sectors since February 2020.While an increase in malware, ransomware and phishing emails exploiting the COVID-19 crisis is the primary reason behind the spike, cyber security specialist Naval Dome says travel restrictions…