Korean Register (KR) - an IACS member classification society - has announced that it has signed an agreement with Songa Shipmanagement to provide specialist cyber security technical services, covering a fleet of 32 ships.

As the shipping industry becomes more and more digitalised, so cyber attacks on ships have increased. Reflecting this trend, the International Maritime Organisation has added cyber risk management to the ISM code safety management on ships. Owners risk having their ships detained by port state control authorities if they have not included cyber security in their ship safety management by 1 January 2021, in compliance with the ISM code.

From the left) Ms. Pamela Campbell (General Manager, Songa Shipmanagement) , Mr. Lim Jeoung-kyu (Senior Surveyor, KR), Mr. Kenneth MacLeod (Managing Director, Songa Shipmanagement), Mr. Seo Dong-min (General Manager, KR London Office), Mr. Alasdair Adamson (Head of HSEQ, Songa Shipmanagement), Mr. Ahn Jong-Woo (Senior Surveyor, KR)
From the left) Ms. Pamela Campbell (General Manager, Songa Shipmanagement) , Mr. Lim Jeoung-kyu (Senior Surveyor, KR), Mr. Kenneth MacLeod (Managing Director, Songa Shipmanagement), Mr. Seo Dong-min (General Manager, KR London Office), Mr. Alasdair Adamson (Head of HSEQ, Songa Shipmanagement), Mr. Ahn Jong-Woo (Senior Surveyor, KR)
Likewise, the major shipping associations have added a cyber security risk assessment, and the provision and maintenance of a 'Cyber Security Countermeasures Procedure' to the checklist when conducting a RightShip assessment and TMSA (Tanker Management and Self-Assessment).

KR created a specialist Cyber Security Task Force Team in 2016 and has undertaken extensive technological research into this area, following the development of the KR Cyber Security Guidelines in 2016. With a world-class reputation for technology and the provision of leading-edge IT solutions, KR has now been appointed by Songa Shipmanagement to deliver technical consultancy services, and to establish an effective, comprehensive management system for the company's ship cyber security.

KR will conduct a comprehensive company-wide risk assessment and will provide bespoke consulting services using the latest technology to develop the new cyber security system.

Mr. Lee Jeong-Kie, Chairman and CEO of KR comments:

"KR has an outstanding reputation for its state-of-the-art IT technology, clearly demonstrated through its specialist and award winning IT solutions like the convention software KR-CON, the fleet management program e-fleet, our drone surveys and much more.

"KR has steadily increased its investment in R&D focused on cyber security over the years, as technology and digitalisation has increased across the industry. The society is committed to being an industry-leader in this area, and is also conducting advanced technical research on autonomous ships and ship surveys conducted using drones.

"Our comprehensive cyber security services will protect our customers' assets and ensure the safety of both the crew and ship at sea.  KR continually looks for new ways to provide added-value services to our customers and to enhance their business operations."