The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), the University of Hamburg (UHH), and the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), to strengthen cooperation in maritime cybersecurity.
The MoU follows a letter of intent signed between HPA and MPA in 2024 to strengthen cooperation in digitalisation, decarbonisation, and cyber security.
Under the MoU, the partners will collaborate on the development of technologies to strengthen cyber resilience in port operations. These include port cybersecurity systems, unmanned surface vessels, remote ships operations, shipboard operational technology systems, and ship-shore connectivity.
The partnership will also support the exchange of cybersecurity best practices to strengthen preparedness and incident response.
David Foo, deputy chief executive, MPA, noted that as ports become increasingly digitalised and interconnected, cybersecurity has become a core operational priority.
"This partnership strengthens our ability to share timely cybersecurity related information, conduct realistic joint exercises, and build deeper technical capabilities, to help keep port operations secure, reliable, and future-ready," he said.
Tino Klemm, chief financial officer, HPA, said its new cybersecurity agreement with MPA marks a significant step in strengthening digital defenses across both ports.
"Strengthening our cybersecurity cooperation with the MPA is an important strategic step for the Port of Hamburg. By sharing expertise and aligning technical approaches, we significantly enhance our resilience against evolving digital threats," he said. "This MoU builds on nearly a decade of trusted partnership and reinforces the security of global supply chains."
Susanna Leong, deputy president (Academic) and Provost, SIT, said, cybersecurity is "central" to safe, resilient, and future-ready maritime operations in an increasingly digital and connected world.
"SIT is focused on translating our research into practical solutions that strengthen ports, vessels, and remote operations cybersecurity. This partnership strengthens SIT’s ability to advance maritime cybersecurity through training and applied research with our MOU partners," she said.
Tai Lee Siang, deputy president and chief innovation & enterprise officer, SUTD, noted that the partnership creates new opportunities for universities to collaborate on maritime cybersecurity research, training and joint exercises, with design and AI expected to play a growing role in strengthening cyber resilience.
"This international partnership with MPA, HPA, SIT, UHH, and TUHH opens up new waves of opportunities for higher learning institutions to jointly navigate new frontiers in maritime cybersecurity research and development, joint exercises, and training projects. We believe design and AI will play an increasingly important role in enhancing cyber resilience across maritime operations, through improving preparedness against cyber threats, and fostering the exchange of knowledge and best practices.”
UHH's Norbert Ritter, dean of the Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences Faculty, said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to advancing cybersecurity research through international cooperation, linking the scientific and operational strengths of Hamburg and Singapore.
"This MoU reinforces our shared commitment to advancing research in maritime cyber security through international collaboration. By connecting Hamburg's and Singapore's strengths in science, technology, and port operations, we aim to drive cutting-edge research that enhances the security and resilience of digital maritime infrastructures worldwide."
Sibylle Fröschle, head of the Institute of Secure Cyber-Physical Systems, TUHH, added that cooperation with overseas partners is "crucial" to finding globally valid solutions and harnessing them for public good.
"This cooperation enables us to contribute, validate, and further produce research findings that unlock fundamental yet realistic solutions to a range of cybersecurity challenges. We are committed to thereby co-deliver sustainable security for the ports and ships of today and tomorrow," Fröschle said.
