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.

2.        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.

3.        The MOU was signed by MPA Deputy Chief Executive (Operations and Technology), Mr David Foo, HPA Chief Financial Officer, Mr Tino Klemm, SIT Deputy President (Academic) and Provost, Professor Susanna Leong, SUTD Deputy President and Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer, Professor Tai Lee Siang, UHH Dean of Faculty for Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Science, Professor Doctor Norbert Ritter, and TUHH President, Professor Doctor Andreas Timm-Giel.

4.        Mr David Foo, Deputy Chief Executive, MPA, said, “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.”

5.        Mr Tino Klemm, Chief Financial Officer, HPA, said, “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. This MOU builds on nearly a decade of trusted partnership and reinforces the security of global supply chains.”

6.        Professor 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.”

7.        Professor Tai Lee Siang, Deputy President and Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer, SUTD, said, “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.”

8.        Professor Doctor Norbert Ritter, Dean of the Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences Faculty, UHH, said, “This Memorandum of Understanding 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.”

9.        Professor Doctor Sibylle Fröschle, Head of the Institute of Secure Cyber-Physical Systems, TUHH, said, “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.”