Maritime News

Shipping is increasingly digitalised and interconnected. As traditional maritime operations are replaced with autonomous and computerised processes, cyber security vulnerabilities become more prevalent.

Recognising that cyber incidents on vessels can have a direct and detrimental impact on life, property, and the environment, IACS has steadily increased its focus on the reliability and functional effectiveness of onboard, safety-critical, computer-based systems.

This Marine Notice (MN) outlines the position of the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) with respect to establishing policies and procedures for mitigating maritime cyber risk.

Cyber risks should be appropriately addressed in safety management systems no later than the first annual verification of the company’s ISM Document of Compliance after 01 January 2021, as indicated in IMO Resolution MSC. 428(98).

This will assist owners as they review their Safety Management Systems for compliance with IMO Resolution “MSC 428/98 Cyber Risk Management in Safety Management Systems” which mandates that “cyber risks are appropriately addressed in safety management systems no later than the first annual verification of the Document of Compliance after 1 January 2021”.