Additional contributions made by experts from associate members, as well as the World Bank and the World Economic Forum
A dedicated IAPH working group operating under the data collaboration committee (DCC) has prepared a new set of cybersecurity guidelines that assess the particular cyber risks associated with the increasing use of emerging technologies in ports. The guidelines were launched at the TOC Europe 2025 event in Rotterdam yesterday at a dedicated IAPH panel session.
With 28 contributors from IAPH member ports, associate IAPH member experts, the World Bank and World Economic Forum, authors deal with Quantum, AI, Drones, IoT, 5G, Automation and Green Energy in terms of their potential beneficial application to enhance cyber resilience, risks and vulnerabilities. The Guidelines also cover the measures which can be taken to detect, mitigate and protect against cyber threats. Importantly, training and appropriate supporting legislation is also included.
Vice chair of the data collaboration committee and MD of Marinnovators Consulting Gadi Benmoshe commented: “In 2021 the committee produced the IAPH cybersecurity guidelines for ports and port facilities, which were subsequently adopted by IMO as part of their cyber risk management guidelines. Then in 2023, we published IAPH innovation in ports whitepaper. The committee then decided what would be the next IAPH contribution to enhance cyber resilience in ports. It was only natural to combine between the two, namely cyber and emerging technologies.”
In September last year at the IAPH webinar “preparing for the inevitable – how ports can prepare themselves against cyber-attacks”, participants were asked to prioritise the advanced technologies being adopted requiring the most significant cybersecurity measures to ensure their safe implementation within the port environment. Both quantum and green energy were added by the DCC members as technologies yet to be fully adopted that would require preparations now rather than later.
Gadi Benmoshe added: “ The implementation of emerging technologies in the maritime supply chain is getting wider, which precisely is the reason why it is important to raise awareness to implement cybersecurity by design. That means preparing now, not after an incident.”
The guidelines also has a chapter which address training and education needs to support emerging technologies cybersecurity, and the concluding chapter outlines critical emerging technologies that should be addressed in maritime cybersecurity legislation, why they are necessary, and the relevant regulatory bodies that need to be involved.
Thanks to the numerous native-speaking authors who participated in writing the guidelines, IAPH has also published a version translated into Spanish for the benefit of ports in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia who have this as first or second language.
IAPH managing director Patrick Verhoeven commented: “These guidelines have involved a significant amount of work from Gadi, our DCC chair Ingrid Boqué and the team of authors from our membership and partner experts. It addresses the number one health, safety and security concern identified by our surveyed respondents to the recent IAPH World Ports Tracker market and sustainability trends report.” We sincerely thank them and will look at submitting these guidelines for industry adoption and recognition to disseminate them as widely as possible.”
To view or download a copy of the guidelines in English, click here
To view or download a copy of the guidelines in Spanish, click here
NOTE: A dedicated online IAPH - Mercator webinar “How can we expect quantum computing and AI to impact port cybersecurity?” which also discusses the guidelines takes place on June 25 at 1700 CET, with attendance or a recording available afterwards to guests registering here.
About IAPH
Founded in 1955, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) has developed into a global alliance of 192 port authorities as well as 168 port-related businesses. Comprised of over 80 different nationalities across the world’s continents, member ports handle over one third of the world’s sea-borne trade and well over 60% of the world container traffic. IAPH leads global port industry initiatives on decarbonisation and energy transition, risk and resilience management, and accelerating digitalisation in the maritime transport chain. The IAPH’s World Ports Sustainability Program has grown into the reference database of best practices of ports applying the UN Sustainable Development Goals and integrating them into their businesses - iaphworldports.org.