(Brussels) – The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), in cooperation with the European Commission’s DG Move, hosted a workshop on Wednesday on the trends, safety and environmental aspects of cyber systems in shipping. This subject, a key theme of the second European Shipping Week taking place in Brussels, reflects IACS ongoing cyber work and the European Commission’s focus in this area, as initiatives to implement existing digital practices such as e-certification and national single windows gather pace and new technologies become closer to everyday application.
Key note speeches from the IACS Vice-Chairman, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, Magda Kopczynska, DG Move Director, Waterborne and David Kerr, Malta’s Maritime Attaché in Brussels, highlighted the need for industry and regulators to work closely in this area, to develop solutions that are cross-sectoral and which strike the appropriate balance between industry self-regulation and/or that adopted by regional or global regulatory bodies..
Speaking to a packed room, Mr Ørbeck-Nilssen spoke of the need to realise the safety, efficiency and environmental opportunities that the Digitalisation of Maritime Transport offers. Later, he said ‘Today’s IACS/EU workshop provided a timely platform for expert speakers to raise the awareness of the opportunities related to Digitalisation as well as the robust measures that can be implemented to ensure the transfer of digital information is safe and secure.’
Magda Kopczynska’s wide-ranging speech challenged the industry to raise awareness of Digitalisation and cyber safety and stressed her willingness to work with IACS, other industry stakeholders and the IMO to identify and deliver the appropriate degree of oversight. Noting the rapid spread of Digitalisation in Maritime Transport, Magda Kopczynska, speaking after the event, stated ‘The European Commission is looking to industry stakeholders to provide feedback on how best regulators can assist in providing the appropriate regulatory framework for digitalisation’. She went on ‘Recognising that possible regulation in this field could take several forms, identifying the correct approach will be key to successfully unlocking the many benefits that Digitalisation offers for governments, industry and society at large.’
Seven presentations were given, available upon request, which covered cyber related challenges to safety and the environment, using Digitalisation to improve the efficiency of ships, unifying data exchange formats, the use of e-certificates, integrating drones into ship inspections and the pathway to autonomous ships.
Contact: Robert Ashdown, IACS Secretary General
E: robertashdown@iacs.org.uk T: +44 (0) 20 7976 0660
Notes to Editors:
Dedicated to safe ships and clean seas, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) makes
a unique contribution to maritime safety and regulation through technical support, compliance verification and
research and development. More than 90% of the world’s cargo carrying tonnage is covered by the classification
design, construction and through-life compliance Rules and standards set by the twelve Member Societies of IACS.
More information about IACS can be found by visiting www.iacs.org.uk.
International Association of Classification Societies
Permanent Secretariat 6th Floor 36 Broadway London SW1H 0BH UK E: permsec@iacs.org.uk T: +44 (0)20 7976 0660 www.iacs.org.uk