Key Points:
- President Biden will sign an Executive Order to bolster maritime cybersecurity and empower the U.S. Coast Guard to address cyber threats.
- The Maritime Security Directive was issued to manage cyber risks associated with cranes manufactured by China.
- To establish minimum cybersecurity requirements, proposed Rulemaking on Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System.
- PACECO Corp. plans to onshore U.S. manufacturing capacity for port crane production, enhancing supply chain resilience.
The Biden Administration has announced a series of measures aimed at bolstering the security of the nation’s ports, enhancing maritime cybersecurity, and fortifying supply chains. These actions underscore the administration’s commitment to investing in America’s critical infrastructure and safeguarding against 21st-century threats.
The Executive Order by U.S. President Biden empowers the Department of Homeland Security to address maritime cyber threats effectively. It grants the U.S. Coast Guard authority to respond to malicious cyber activity within the nation’s Marine Transportation System (MTS) and ensures cybersecurity standards are implemented to secure American ports’ networks and systems. Mandatory reporting of cyber incidents endangering vessels, harbors, ports, or waterfront facilities will be instituted, and the U.S. Coast Guard will have the authority to control the movement of vessels posing cyber threats.
The U.S. Coast Guard will also issue a Maritime Security Directive focusing on cyber risk management for ship-to-shore cranes manufactured by China and located at U.S. Commercial Strategic Seaports. This directive mandates addressing vulnerabilities identified in the maritime infrastructure’s digital ecosystem.
Furthermore, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System has been issued to establish minimum cybersecurity requirements for MTS control systems and networks. These regulations aim to strengthen digital systems and mitigate cyber threats effectively.
In line with these efforts, the administration is investing over $20 billion in U.S. port infrastructure under the Investing in America Agenda. PACECO Corp., a Mitsui E&S Co., Ltd. subsidiary, plans to increase the onshore U.S. manufacturing capacity for port crane production as part of this investment. This marks a significant step towards rebuilding the U.S.’s industrial capacity and enhancing supply chain resilience.
The announcement comes amidst the Biden Administration’s Investing in America tour, highlighting the impacts of its agenda on communities, families, small businesses, and national security. It aligns with efforts to strengthen America’s supply chains and mitigate supply chain risks within U.S. ports.
