Operational Technology News

ABS issued approval in principle (AIP) to Hanwha Ocean Co. Ltd. for remote control functions for FPSO units.ABS completed design reviews based on the ABS Requirements for Autonomous and Remote-Control Functions.The project is part of the Offshore Technology Collaboration Agreement (OTCA) between ABS and Hanwha Ocean, which enables the companies to collaborate on a series of cutting-edge projects leveraging each company’s core competencies under three broad themes: sustainability…

Maritime operations run on tight schedules and thin margins, and as ships, terminals and supply chains connect systems for visibility and efficiency, attackers gain paths to entry. Cyber risk has become an operational reliability and safety concern, not just an IT issue. “Whether we are looking at this challenge through an operational or organizational safety lens, cyber risk is a critical business risk. An incident will impact everyone,” says Michael DeVolld, Senior Director…

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued the CR-Ex cyber resilience notation to three self-elevating units from Jana Marine Services, an industry first.The offshore units, JANA 505, 508 and 509, are the first offshore units to be awarded the notation that incorporates elements of IACS UR E26 Cyber Resilience (CR) requirements into existing (Ex) vessels to enhance cyber safety.The CR-Ex notation is part of the updated ABS Guide for Cybersecurity Implementation for the Marine and Offshore Industries…

A new cybersecurity solution from Hanwha Ocean to protect critical infrastructure and operations on board floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units received approval in principle (AiP) from American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).Hanwha Ocean, in conjunction with SIGA Data Security, developed an Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity solution that is specifically designed to protect critical OT systems from cyber threats, enhancing the overall cyber resilience on FPSO…

New MariOT testbed aims to strengthen shipboard cybersecurity, train next-gen maritime professionals, and foster global collaboration.Singapore has taken a major step toward fortifying the maritime industry's cyber defenses with the launch of the Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology (MariOT), the world’s first industrial-grade cyber-physical training platform for shipboard systems. Commissioned by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and developed in partnership with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI), and industry collaborators, the new facility…

The annual Singapore Maritime Week was officially launched on Monday by Murali Pillai, Singapore’s Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport.Organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, SMW 2025 is the 19th iteration of the event.Taking place at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, SMW 2025 is expected to welcome more than 20,000 attendees from close to 80 countries. The expanded EXPO@SMW features close to 200 local and international exhibitors…

This week, ABS issued type approval for IACS UR E27 cyber resilience requirements to Hanwha Systems for its cybersecurity solution SecuAider®.IACS requirements UR E26 “Cyber Resilience of Ships” and UR E27 “Cyber Resilience of On-Board Systems and Equipment” now apply to new ships, and they aim to help the industry protect itself from cyberattacks.Hybrid warfare tactics, where cyber campaigns precede or accompany physical confrontations, pose complex risks to maritime stakeholders, says Dryad Global.

The United States' maritime coastal security poses a significant challenge due to the vastness of its coastline and the complexity of its maritime borders. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Geodetic Survey there are approximately 95,000 miles of coastline. According to the Department of Homeland Security 2007 Transportation Systems publication there are “361 ports, and 3.3 million square miles of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to secure”.

CEO Mike Corrigan outlines Interferry’s mountain of objectives – including a game-changing campaign to keep ferries front and center in reducing GHG emissions.Interferry’s origins stem from the launch of a knowledge-sharing US networking initiative in 1976. Those relatively modest roots have grown beyond recognition into a highly respected global trade association with membership exceeding 270 companies – operators and suppliers – in more than 40 countries. We have consultative…

The latest Energy Cyber Priority report from DNV Cyber has found that energy companies have started to boost investment in cybersecurity to manage the ‘greatest risk’ to the industry today as the importance of securing businesses from cyber threats reaches highest company levels.Energy companies are taking cyber threats seriously at the highest levels, as two in three energy professionals (65%) say their leadership views cybersecurity as the greatest current risk to their business…

A new report published by DNV has revealed that the majority (61%) of maritime professionals believe the industry should accept increased cyber risk from digitalization if it enables innovation and new technologies.The sector’s appetite to take on emerging risks arising from digital transformation is notably higher than other critical infrastructure industries including energy, manufacturing and healthcare, according to DNV.The industry’s increasing appetite for cyber risk comes at a time when it must manage a growing volume of vulnerabilities.Namely…

Cyber threats to maritime are increasing rapidly, and later this year Marlink will unveil a report which classifies the growing problem. From common phishing schemes to targeted attacks on command and control systems, Cedric Warde, Vice President, Global Sales – Digital, Marlink discusses the threats and the means to help avoid them.REGISTER NOW for a free to attend micro conference on new and emerging USCG Cyber Security Rules - November 13, 2024 in New Orleans - with insights on their impact to vessel owner/operators:Cyber risks continue to expand across industries…

ClassNK has released ‘Guidelines for Cyber resilience of ships’, which expound new IACS Unified Requirements (UR) to support the consideration of measures to ensure the cybersecurity of ships.IACS has established UR E26 for ships and UR E27 for on-board systems and equipment as URs setting minimum requirements for cyber resilience, which is the capability to reduce the occurrence and mitigate the effects of cyber incidents due to cyber-attacks or other threats. The URs have been applied to new ships contracted for construction on or after July 1…

Fortescue, with the support from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and partners, has completed propulsion and maneuverability trials of its Singapore-registered Fortescue Green Pioneer dual fuel ammonia-powered vessel in the Port of Singapore.The trials were conducted using 6.4 m3 (4.4 tonnes) of liquid ammonia, in combination with diesel and Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a second-generation biofuel, as marine fuel over 10 days from April 23, 2024 to May 2…

The Maritime International Advisory Panel (IAP) held its third annual meeting on April 16, 2024, during the Singapore Maritime Week 2024. This year, the Maritime IAP held in-depth discussions on the key developments in the maritime sector, including decarbonization, green financing, digitalization and cybersecurity.Established in 2022 by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Maritime IAP aims to seek international perspectives on key long-term trends and developments that will shape the maritime industry.

WTW has launched CyNav for Ports and Terminals, a cyber solution specifically designed to help address the escalating cyber risks faced by owners and operators in this strategically vital sector of the global maritime supply chain. The release of CyNav for Ports and Terminals is a direct response to growing calls from operators for a bespoke product that addresses the specific risks faced by their high-value asset class and closes the gaps found in the standard cyber policies of today’s insurance market.Due to the outsized role its practitioners play in supporting the global economy…

DNV has appointed Anette Roll Richardsen as Director of its Cyber Security business in Norway.DNV said Roll Richardsen would lead a growing team of IT and operational technology security experts as the company rapidly scales to safeguard its customers from emerging cyber risks to critical infrastructure. "Named among Europe’s 50 Most Influential Women in Cybersecurity by SC Media, Roll Richardsen has a track record in leading expert teams in securing society from cyber threats.

The 2023 Maritime Risk Symposium (MRS) will be held Nov. 14-16, 2023, as an in-person event, hosted by Maritime College, State University of New York (SUNY) at the Maritime Academic Center. The theme of the 14th annual event is “Managing Impacts of Supply Chain Disruptors, Renewable Energy, Emerging Technology on the Maritime Transportation System (MTS)” with a focus on offshore infrastructure risk and disruptors. Founded in 1874, Maritime College is the oldest maritime college in the United States, providing mariner training for 150 years.

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…

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.

Korean Register (KR) has awarded an approval in principle (AIP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) for their 'Technical Procedures and Methodology for Implementation of Ship Cyber Resilience (IACS UR E26).'Ship cyber resilience encompasses measures taken to reduce cyber accidents and mitigate their impact on the operational technology systems essential for the safe navigation of ships. IACS UR E26, introduced in April 2022…

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…