IAPH unveils port cybersecurity guidance

Officially launched at TOC Europe 2025 in Rotterdam, the guidelines focus on technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, drones, IoT, 5G, automation and green energy.

With input from 28 experts, including IAPH member ports, the World Bank and World Economic Forum, the guidelines identify vulnerabilities, outline mitigation strategies and stress the importance of training and legislation.

“In 2021, we produced the IAPH cybersecurity guidelines for ports, adopted by IMO,” said Gadi Benmoshe, vice chair of the DCC and managing director of Marinnovators Consulting.

“Then in 2023, we published our innovation whitepaper. This time, it made sense to combine both cyber and emerging tech into a single initiative,”

The guidelines emerged following a 2024 IAPH webinar, where participants flagged quantum and green energy as technologies requiring proactive cybersecurity planning.

“The implementation of emerging technologies in the maritime supply chain is expanding,” added Benmoshe. “This is exactly why we need cybersecurity by design – preparing now, not after an incident.”

A dedicated chapter in the guidelines addresses training and education needs, while the final chapter recommends how critical technologies should be integrated into maritime cybersecurity legislation.

“This has been a major collaborative achievement,” said IAPH managing director Patrick Verhoeven. “It directly tackles the top safety and security concern highlighted in our recent World Ports Tracker survey.”

The guidelines and more will be discussed at the online IAPH – Mercator webinar ‘How can we expect quantum computing and AI to impact port cybersecurity?’ taking place on 25 June at 1700 CET.