Cyber-risk management is at the heart of a NYK Group’s investments in digitalisation
ClassNK has accredited its Cybersecurity Management System (CSMS) standard to the 155,300-m3 LNG carrier Pacific Mimosa¸ recognising it as the first vessel to conform to the new standards for cyber-risk management. Managed by NYK Group subsidiary NYK LNG Shipmanagement Pte Ltd, Pacific Mimosa transports LNG for Japan’s Jera Co Inc from the Wheatstone LNG project in Australia. The certificate of accreditation was awarded at a ceremony in Tokyo by ClassNK in December.
With a goal of safe navigation, ClassNK released its Cyber Security Management System for Ships in March 2019, providing guidance on ensuring, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving shoreside and shipboard CSMS. ClassNK’s guidance covers management measures regarding protection against cyber risks in not only the navigation stage, but also in the construction and design stage of ships.
The 98th session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC98) approved guidelines on maritime cyber-risk management in June 2017. MSC98 recommended that a description of cyber-risk management be included in the safety management systems (SMS) manual of shipowners and ship management companies, encouraging strengthened measures against cyber attacks internationally.
The NYK Group plans to strengthen cyber-risk management for both LNG carriers and other cargo vessels.
Focus on digitalisation
Certification of Pacific Mimosa’s CSMS by ClassNK is significant for the NYK Group as it has made digitalisation a core part of its business plan in the years ahead. The NYK Group’s medium-term management plan, Staying Ahead 2022 with Digitalisation and Green, emphasises digitalisation and environmental initiatives to enhance safety, vessel efficiency and reduce downtime.
While promoting digitalisation and the use of Internet-of-Things (IoT) in vessel operations, NYK has been strengthening cyber security measures throughout group, making cyber security a high priority.
Among NYK Group’s digitalisation research and development is the implementation of the paperless Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS) check system, which focuses on engine safety and reducing maintenance costs.
During a traditional UMS check, a crew member must take a number of measurements, conducting a large number of checks, if an engine plant and equipment are to be operated unattended. This data is recorded manually by the crew member.
Using the electronic UMS check system, the crew member can use a mobile device, lowering data entry time and reducing data entry errors. The mobile platform also allows data trends to be displayed graphically, storage of photos and videos and transmission of data directly to onshore servers, allowing shoreside personnel to examine the data.
Another NYK-MTI joint development is Kirari Ninja, a camera that can automatically photograph the interior of an engine’s combustion chamber to allow inspection.
By installing it on the upper part of the engine piston in the combustion chamber, Kirari Ninja can take images of the interior. The images make it possible to view in detail the condition of the inner part of the combustion chamber.
In 2018, NYK launched a ship management platform, NiBiKi to digitise applications, approval, and operation workflow within the SMS. The NiBiKi system enables data to be shared between the ship operation company and the management company, compiling data for analysis to improve safety, crew performance and training and eliminate vessel and machinery downtime.
In November, NYK inked a long-term agreement with Norway’s Dualog to develop a cyber-risk management system to provide multiple layers of security to protect ship-to-shore data sharing. Developed under the Cepa Shield project, the cyber-risk management system will be implemented in trials on 50 NYK-operated vessels, with the intent of future installation across 250 vessels. The system will provide NYK shoreside personnel with the ability to quickly assess the condition of each vessel under attack.
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.