- IMO has a key strategic direction to integrate new and advancing technologies into its regulatory framework.
- The IMO is looking at existing regulations in the with respect to varying degrees of automation through a regulatory scoping exercise on MASS.
- IMO guidelines on maritime cyber-risk management details procedures on how to safeguard shipping from current and emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
- The IMO aims to complete the scoping exercise by 2020.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is expecting emergence of automation in the shipping industry. This comes as a support to prevent future disasters, including oil spills and collisions, says an article published in Sea News.
Consideration of new risk scenarios
Patricia Charlebois, deputy director, Implementation Marine Environment Division, stressed the oil spill response community would need to consider new risk scenarios at the regional Spillcon event held in Perth, Australia.
Key strategic direction
She added that the IMO had a key strategic direction to integrate new and advancing technologies into its regulatory framework.
“Whether you’re talking about an oil tanker or a different kind of ship, cyber-risk management should play a part, ” she said.
Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships
The IMO is now looking at how existing regulations might apply to ships with varying degrees of automation through a regulatory scoping exercise on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).
The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) agreed to examine how safe, secure, and environmentally sound operation of MASS could be introduced in IMO regulations in 2017 after a proposal by the member states.
Scoping exercise
The scoping exercise includes the following –
- Review of safety and maritime security (SOLAS)
- Collision regulations (COLREG)
- Loading and stability (Load Lines)
- Training of seafarers and fishers (STCW, STCW-F) Search and rescue (SAR)
- Tonnage measurement (Tonnage Convention), and Convention for safe containers (CSC)
IMO guidelines on maritime cyber-risk management
IMO guidelines on maritime cyber-risk management details procedures on how to safeguard shipping from current and emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
The guidelines cover digitisation, integration, and automation of processes and systems in shipping.
They identify bridge systems, propulsion and machinery management, power control, and communication systems among the most vulnerable to cyber attack.
The IMO aims to complete the scoping exercise by 2020. Meanwhile, interim guidelines for MASS trials were approved in June.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Sea News
