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Shipping associations post guidelines on cybersecurity

Shipping associations post guidelines on cybersecurity
Several leading shipping associations banded together to develop guidelines to help the industry prevent major safety, environmental and commercial issues that could result from a cyber incident on board a ship.

Developed by BIMCO, Cruise Lines International Association, International Chamber of Shipping, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO, and with support from a wide range of stakeholders, the guidelines are available for downloading, free, from BIMCO's website.

In 32 pages, the guidelines cover motives, types of attack, risk assessment, risk reduction, contingency plans, investigation of an attack and more.

'BIMCO has led the way to identify potential cyber vulnerabilities for ships, and their implications, based on the latest expert research. The aim is to provide the shipping industry with clear and comprehensive information on cyber security risks to ships, enabling shipowners to take measures to protect against attacks and to deal with the eventuality of cyber incidents,' said Angus Frew, secretary general of BIMCO.

Since cyber threats are continually changing, BIMCO and the other industry associations plan to regularly update the guidelines to ensure the latest information is available.

'The guidelines launched today should help companies take a risk-based approach to cybersecurity that is specific to their business and the ships they operate,' Frew added.

As earlier reported, cybersecurity will be addressed at the International Maritime Organization's Facilitation Committee session in April.

And, before then, a special expert presentation, 'Cybercrime on the High Seas: How Cyber Attacks Occur and What You Can Do About Them,' is scheduled as part of Seatrade Cruise Global's conference program. That presentation is set for March 15.