Leading global maritime industry experts will discuss the issues of cybersecurity in the increasingly technology-dependent global maritime industry in light of the growing attacks targeting international shipping companies, at the Seatrade Maritime Middle East 2018 to be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 29 to 31.

The event will highlight the nature of known cyber threats, their serious impact on the maritime sector, the risk factors involved, and effective measures combatting the cybercrimes, said a statement from the organisers.

Stakeholders and senior executives from all over the world have identified cybersecurity as a topic of global importance especially after the International Maritime Bureau’s warning that shipping is becoming the ‘next playground for hackers’. Emma Howell, global head of marketing, Seatrade Portfolio, said: “It is highly encouraging that stakeholders are now coming together to discuss the subject of cyber security in the industry. The industry has already implemented contingency plans, learning from serious incidents of cyberattacks involving prominent shipping firms. However, we admit that much still needs to be done and, as such, we are putting the spotlight on the importance of building an ever-evolving cybersecurity system that can fight off cyber threats,” she said.

Cosco Shipping Lines and A P Moller-Maersk were two of the shipping giants recently hit by cyberattacks, prompting the leading firms and the entire industry to beef up their cybersecurity systems.