New Generation of Cyber Notation Vessels Are Launched

The word from VARD in Norway for you;

VARD, one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialized vessels, and a subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group, is proud to announce that it has delivered two of the world’s first vessels with cyber notation according to the new mandatory regulations from July 1^st, 2024.

Both the CSOV Grampian Kestrel to North Star and the CSOV Purus Chinook for Purus are delivered in accordance with the new mandatory cybersecurity requirements and class notation.

Cybersecurity notations provide demonstrated cybersecurity readiness where cyber resilience is integrated into every stage of VARD’s shipbuilding process, from concept to delivery. Enhancing the vessels’ capability to withstand cyberattacks, to operate while under attack and the ability to recover from an attack.

– At North Star, digital resilience is as critical as operational reliability. The Grampian Kestrel reflects our commitment to pioneering secure, future-ready vessels that protect both our people and our operations. Working closely with VARD and Lloyd’s Register, we’ve ensured that cyber security is not an afterthought but a core element of the ship’s DNA; designed, integrated, and tested from the outset. This milestone underscores our dedication to safety, innovation, and setting new standards for the offshore industry, says James Bradford, Chief Technology Officer, North Star.

Dedication and strength

Both cybersecurity notations are aligned with the unified requirements UR E26 and E27 issued by the International Association of Class Societies (IACS), which became mandatory for newbuilds contracted after 1. July 2024.

These two vessels were contracted in 2023, before the cybersecurity notations became mandatory. This shows the dedication and strength in the work done by Fincantieri subsidiary VARD, Purus and North Star.

– The delivery of the two vessels represents an historical milestone for the maritime industry and for VARD and our owner Fincantieri, enhancing the group’s leading position for the technological transition in maritime operations, says CEO in VARD, Cathrine Kristiseter Marti.

– The maritime industry is undergoing a significant transformation based on the increased use of digitally connected systems. These notations are essential for establishing baseline requirements and best practices to protect maritime operations from evolving and dynamic cyber threats. The delivery of these vessels shows VARD’s and Fincantieri’s commitment and willingness to set new standards and explore new ways of building cyber resilient platforms which allow our customers to manage cyber threats to the vessels, Marti continues. 

– Cyber resilience underpins much of our vessel focus today. We took a position early to discuss this topic with customers, ahead of the regulations coming into effect. During these two deliveries, we have developed a competency across the VARD value chain and worked together with the supply chain to create a ship-wide mindset on cyber resilience. Collectively, this gives North Star and Purus a platform that can improve their ability to manage cyber risk, says SVP Business Development & Group Innovation in VARD, Amrit Bhullar.