On 16 January the Danish Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs launched a new sectoral strategy for the shipping industry. This strategy is a part of the Danish government’s national strategy for cyber and information security.
The strategy contains a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening IT security and preventing cyber threats in the maritime sector.
The objective of the strategy is to ensure that safety in Danish waters and on board Danish ships is not compromised by cyber attacks.
The responsibility for cyber and information security in the maritime sector lies with the Danish Maritime Authority. The new strategy covers navigational safety in Danish waters and safety on board Danish ships, including systems and software for operation, propulsion and navigation of the ship.
In addition, services such as traffic monitoring, warning and information systems, as well as other systems with a connection to the ship's safe navigation, are included.
It is reported that the Danish Maritime Authority has established a dedicated Danish Maritime Cybersecurity Unit, which is to handle implementation of the strategy in practice.
It is understood that the strategy’s initiatives are:
- Establishment of the Danish Maritime Cybersecurity Unit
- EU and International law
- Single point of contact between maritime operators and the Centre for Cyber Security (CFCS)
- Secondment of Danish Maritime Authority employee at the CFCS
- Increased awareness through collaboration and knowledge sharing in the maritime sector
- Specific objectives and user-friendly recommendations for the maritime sector’s players
- IT security culture and awareness
- Focus on standardized processes in relation to cyber and information security management
- Sustained and robust cyber and information security preparedness in the maritime sector
- Joint contingency and warning plan for handling IT security incidents
- Planning and implementing of common cyber and information security exercises
A link to the Cyber and Information Security Strategy for the Maritime Sector can be found here: https://www.dma.dk/Documents/Publikationer/Cyber%20and%20Information%20Security%20Strategy%20for%20the%20Maritime%20Sector.pdf
Latest News & Events
It was announced on 18 April from Singapore by Ocean Network Express (ONE) that A P Moller-Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC and Ocean Network Express had established the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) in The Netherlands.
After gaining regulatory approval from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) last month (March), four container shipping companies officially established the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) on 12 April 2019 with HQ in Amsterdam and the association is now commencing operations.
Industry veterans form a leadership team with Thomas Bagge appointed as CEO.
In the words of Noriaki Yamaga, Managing Director, Corporate & Innovation, Ocean Network Express (see illustration here of an example of ONE’s tonnage): ‘ONE is constantly seeking best practices and standards to support and drive innovation technology in the shipping and logistics industry to create valuable opportunities for digital transformation. To realize these goals, concrete discussion and solid collaboration works must be done in order to standardize solutions, establish common IT standards and governance for the industry to streamline and digitize shipping process to shape the future of the shipping industry. We truly believe that the establishment of this association will bring values, benefits and opportunities to our customers, as well as logistics companies, leading shipping and logistics industry to new ecosystem of digital supply chain.’
On 8 April in Singapore, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA) and the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) signed a joint memorandum of understanding (see illustration).
This new MOU codifies the extensive level of co-operation that already exists between these important international trade associations and provides a framework for their closer co-operation. The three associations collectively represent over 90% of the world merchant fleet. The agreement recognises their respective memberships of national shipowners’ associations and the unique and special relationship which their members enjoy with their national governments.
The MOU confirms the roles of ICS, ASA and ECSA as the principal global and regional associations, representing shipowners and operators – in all shipping sectors and trades – with those global and regional organisations, regulators and other bodies which impact and affect the interests of international shipping.
