K Line Energy Ship Management Co is working with ClassNK to ensure its tanker fleet is cyber secure and it has certified risk management systems
K-Line Energy Ship Management Co has gained class certification for a Panama-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) verifying this tanker is cyber secure.
ClassNK has provided vessel accreditation of the Cyber Security Management System (CSMS) for 2009-built VLCC Setagawa. The certificate was handed to K Line management during a ceremony on 2 October.
K Line said this certification was the first of what it expects to be many as it is working with ClassNK to proceed with CSMS documentation for the rest of its fleet.
This accreditation is required as the shipping industry is investing in telecommunications and internet connectivity for ships.
K Line said it had made advances on installing information and communications technology, computer networks and equipment monitoring systems on its ships resulting in better communications and safety, but this increases a ship’s vulnerability to cyber threats. Which is why K Line has taken appropriate actions in terms of maritime cyber risk management.
It is also acting to ensure ships will be compliant with IMO’s resolution covering maritime cyber risk management, which comes into force from January 2021.
K Line said it had prepared for remote evaluation of its maritime cyber risk management and CSMS certification with ClassNK because of restrictions imposed due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
“We will provide safer and the best maritime transport service by strengthening protection against cyber risks,” K Line said.
IMO resolution MSC.428(98) covers maritime cyber risk management in safety management systems. It was passed by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee in June 2017.
It recommends that the cyber risks are under appropriate control in the Safety Management System manual by the first annual audit of Document of Compliance after 1 January 2021.
Shipping companies, insurers, lawyers and service providers will discuss in detail requirements for cyber security across fleets during Riviera’s Maritime Cyber Risk Management Virtual Conference on 3 November - use this link for more details and to register for this timely event ahead of IMO 2021 recommendation enforcement date
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