The shipping industry is going fast forward to an autonomous, digitalized world, with several projects being developed. Technology is now an integral part of the industry, highlighting the need for innovative projects and ideas. As a new wind of change, digitalization brings changes within the industry, meaning that stakeholders have to keep up with them, not to be left behind.
Given that technology comes with great risk, being aware of the risks and challenges is crucial. Keep in mind that although technology can improve shipping operations and make everything easier, cyber-attacks are a great risk for shipping companies’ economics and their supply chains.
In line with IMO’s newly launched guidelines concerning cybercrime and cyber planning, keep in mind that training has a key role. From the people onshore, to those onboard, all employees have to be aware of the technological dangers and know how to deal with them, in case of an attack.
Meanwhile, training enables employees understand how to deal with an attack.
Digitalization has become a great aspect of everyday life. Therefore, to gain from the technologies, it is important to understand why it is important in the maritime life.
3 changes the industry is seeing
#1 New technology, more automation and digitalization are enabling the industry to be more efficient.
The role of cyber security is to handle the safety considerations and risks this new technology brings with it, as well as to ensure that we keep vessel operation and crew and passengers safe.
The industry has already seen a number of autonomous projects that represent the shipping of the future. Automation and autonomy are both powerful tools that will help the industry develop and research groundbreaking ways to improve the operations, and achieve the utmost safety for all in the sector.
#2 Cyber incidents on the rise.
Cyber attacks have been on the rise the recent years, due to the increased use of digitalization by shipping companies and vessels.
We cannot forget the cyber attack against the IMO, an event that shocked the shipping industry. In light of the incident, IMO posted on Twitter that “its official website is down and its IT team is working on resolving the situation”.
Along with the higher number of integrated vessels comes new threats which can remotely attack your vessels and potentially gain access to or impact the vessel’s control systems.
#3 Cyber security regulations.
Although 2020 was a year anticipated due to the IMO’s 2020 sulphur cap, 2021 was long awaited when the IMO announced the adoption of the Resolution MSC.428(98). This resolution calls companies to report any cyber risk in their ISM Code no later than January 1, 2021.
As Kevin Daffey, IMarEST President, highlights, 2021 is shaping up to be a breakthrough year for autonomous technology.
- Training
- Knowledge
- Regulations
Concluding, as digitalization keep developing, always have in mind what Eleanor Roosevelt said,
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
