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CAROLINE YANG, HONG LAM MARINE & THE SINGAPORE SHIPPING ASSOCIATION and economic viability of these technologies pose signi? cant concerns in the waters off of Somalia.

challenges for implementation.” “The indiscriminate ? ring of drones and rockets toward commercial ships, as seen in the Red Sea, raises concerns • SSA & Digitalization and Connectivity about the potential for direct attacks on vessels and the safety

SSA and its membership are working to leverage digitali- of crew members onboard.” zation and all that it has to offer in the name of ef? ciency, As traditional trade routes have been disrupted, shipowners while keeping guard up on the potential pitfalls, namely cy- have seen costs and delays soar, from being forced to take ber hacks. “The digitalization of maritime operations is trans- longer routes around Africa, to the delays in ports and short- forming the industry, with a growing emphasis on data-driven ages of bunker fuel in West African ports due to the unplanned decision-making, automation, and connectivity,” said Yang. ship and cargo movement, to increased insurance premiums “Shipowners and operators are investing in digital technolo- for vessels operating in the area.

gies such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, sensors, and Through it all, SSA stands ready to support its member- onboard systems to optimize vessel performance, enhance ship base. “Organizing training programs, workshops, and safety, and improve operational ef? ciency.” seminars on maritime security and crisis management can

On the cyber security front, SSA is “devoting resources to help enhance the preparedness of shipowners and their crews address cybersecurity challenges within the maritime indus- to respond effectively to security threats and emergencies,” try,” Yang said, “because as shipboard systems become in- said Yang. “SSA collaborates with maritime security experts, creasingly digitalized, maritime enterprises will be more vul- government agencies, and industry partners to develop com- nerable to cyber risks. By offering self-assessment tools and prehensive training modules tailored to the needs of commer- benchmarking data, the SSA enables its members to evaluate cial shipping, such as SSA’s organization of a webinar entitled their cybersecurity readiness and identify areas for improve- “Navigating the Red Sea: A Comprehensive Analysis of Mari- ment. By Q2 2024, our members will be able use SSA’s cy- time Security.” bersecurity maturity scorecard, tailor made for ship owners and operators to access industry-wide benchmarking data and self-assess their cyber maturity.” • Freedom of Navigation “Shipowners are concerned about the safety and security of their crew members and vessels navigating through geopoliti- cal hotspots and areas prone to security threats,” said Yang, noting that recent activities have inspired an uptick in piracy www.marinelink.com 27

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