extended to the services provided by the Cyprus Maritime Administration, the Department of Merchant
Shipping.
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, strongly supports the Department of Merchant
Shipping in its efforts to adapt well to this highly technologically evolving environment. Amongst other
ongoing IT upgrading plans of the Department of Merchant Shipping is the Electronic Seafarers΄
Application System (e-SAS system), where the submission of applications for the issuance of the
Seafarers΄ Certificates is lodged electronically. The e-SAS system has been tested and applied on a trial
basis in 2015 and will be fully implemented within 2016.
As you may realize, the shipping sector is experiencing a flourishing digitalized area. However, the
growing reliance on automation and the increased usage of computer systems for navigation, reporting
formalities of ships, container inspection, rapid loading and unloading of cargo at ports as well as the
exchange of information with authorities and service providers is easily exposed to cyber threats. This
means that appropriate security controls should be implemented to protect information and data
pertaining to a ship, its crew, passengers and cargo.
In an effort to help the global shipping industry prevent major safety, environmental and commercial
issues that could result from a cyber incident onboard a ship, the Baltic and International Maritime
Council (BIMCO) launched, in January 2016, a set of Cyber Security Guidelines.
At the same time, the Facilitation Committee of the International Maritime Organization considers the
development of cyber risk management (CRM) guidelines for the protection of trade-related
information. The guidelines should provide for and maintain repeatable risk management practices and
policies, in order to help ship owners and operators identify, evaluate and address cyber-related risks to
trade-related information, with particular regard to any which may also pose safety and/ or security
risks.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is clear to all of us that cyber technologies and systems provide significant efficiencies and benefits for
ship and port operations and the maritime industry in general. At the same time however, they bear
serious, and potentially grave, operational risks that can affect national and potentially international
Critical Information Infrastructure. Thus, the shipping industry must incorporate proper defence and in
depth strategies to handle cyber threats. On our behalf, we strongly encourage our local companies
and related governmental services to implement risk management systems, which allow shipowners
and operators to address multiple risks to operations on a daily basis.
I am sure that the high calibre of the speakers invited will elaborate on that matter and share with us
the wealth of their knowledge and expertise, making this Conference extremely informative, interesting
and successful.
Thank you, and I wish you all a very fruitful day.
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