New guidelines on ship cyber resilience released by ClassNK

To bolster cybersecurity in the maritime industry, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has introduced two Unified Requirements (URs): UR E26 for ships and UR E27 for onboard systems and equipment. These URs establish minimum cyber resilience standards, aiming to minimize cyber incidents and mitigate their impact.

These requirements apply to new ships contracted for construction on or after July 1, 2024. ClassNK has integrated these requirements into Part X of its “Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships” (concerning computer-based systems) and its “Guidance for the Approval and Type Approval of Materials and Equipment for Marine Use.”

To assist clients in navigating these new regulations, ClassNK has created a dedicated online portal. This portal centralizes relevant information regarding cyber resilience requirements and provides resources to support compliance. ClassNK has also released new guidelines specifically for shipbuilders, shipowners, and ship management companies. These guidelines detail the rules’ scope, the approval process, required documentation, and survey procedures. The guidelines are available for download on the ClassNK portal.