China Classification Society (CCS) has issued an Approval in Principle (AIP) certificate for ship cybersecurity to Zhoushan COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (Zhoushan COSCO) for its 64,000 DWT bulk carrier, marking the first issuance by CCS of a cybersecurity AIP for an actual vessel.

This approval certifies that the vessel’s design complies with the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Unified Requirement for Cyber Resilience (UR E26) as well as the standards outlined in CCS’s Guidelines for Ship Cybersecurity.
The cybersecurity level achieved is SL0, indicating an entry-level compliance that nonetheless establishes a foundational framework for cyber resilience on board.

The attainment of this AIP provides a practical and feasible solution for the 64,000 DWT bulk carrier to meet the evolving cybersecurity requirements stipulated under IACS UR E26.
This milestone reflects Zhoushan COSCO’s proactive commitment to integrating cybersecurity considerations into vessel design and construction, supporting the broader maritime industry’s transition towards enhanced operational safety, digitalization, and resilience against emerging cyber threats.