A report published this week concludes that the shipping industry is an ‘easy target’ for cyber attacks while another survey shows that 30% of global ports are ‘unprepared’ for the IMO’s MSW mandate to move from paper to digital documents by 2024. A conference held by the WCO, however, demonstrated that Customs administrations have a good grasp of the importance of data governance.
The maritime industry remains an ‘easy target’ for cybercriminals – and the cost of attacks and demand for ransom payments across the sector have skyrocketed over the past 12 months, according to the research findings published this week by law firm HFW and maritime cyber security company CyberOwl.
The report is based on a survey of more than 150 industry professionals – including cyber security experts, seafarers, shipping agencies and suppliers – and reveals significant gaps in cyber risk management that exist across shipping organizations and the wider supply chain. The research was carried out by the maritime technology research agency Thetius.
Cybercriminals are evolving quickly and the costs of cyber-attacks are growing. The impact that can be created in the global supply chain by exploiting a single easy target means the entire maritime industry needs to raise the bar.
One of the conclusions was that what works in other sectors may not work in shipping, and applying a generic approach could lead to expensive wastage.
30% of global ports ‘unprepared’ for incoming IMO’s MSW, survey shows.
The platform known as Maritime Single Window (MSW) is designed to bring major sustainability benefits to Ports by digitizing documentation, streamlining processes, and improving information exchange, resulting in reduced paper usage and more efficient vessel management, ultimately lowering emissions and environmental impact.
It enables information and documentation to be transferred electronically between maritime and port stakeholders, and will become a compulsory requirement worldwide from the start of 2024.
Kale Logistics Solutions (Kale) has published a readiness survey of 200 ports that revealed 30% are not prepared to adopt the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) MSW mandate.
Out of the 2000 respondents, 30% cited the need for more awareness as the primary reason for non-compliance until now. 30-35% of ports in Africa and South America cited that they were unaware of the regulation passed by the IMO. 20-25 ports in the Middle East, the Asia Pacific, North America and Europe cited lack of awareness as the main reason for non-compliance, according to the study.
Other reasons include the cost factor – the respondent Ports believe deploying software involves significant investment and has little to zero effect on their current challenges.
Shoring up Technology in Customs Administrations
On a more positive note, the 3-day World Customs Organization (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition was held in Hanoi, Vietnam last week. It demonstrated an enhanced understanding within Customs administrations of the importance of data governance and building a data ecosystem.
There was a strong call for standardization in many aspects related to technology deployment – taking note of the need for harmonization and global standards for best practices on how Customs administrations deploy and use advanced technologies.
There was evidence of an enhanced understanding and readiness for collaboration between Customs administrations, other government agencies, industry and academia.
Also see our recent related article: Ships Get Bigger & Terminals Get Smarter.
Colless Young professionally handles all your consignments by sea and air, both import and export. As licensed Customs Brokers and International Freight Forwarders, we provide a complete range of services including customs clearance, quarantine treatments, landed costings, trucking and warehousing. With out head office in Brisbane, Colless Young offer logistics facilities through all major Australian ports and airports.
