Cybersecurity threats of remote autonomous ships while approaching ports

The utilisation of new information technologies is essential for the design of remote-controlled ships. However, cyber threats pose significant risks to both their safety and security. Since 2021, international regulatory innovation has focused on the cyber hygiene of ships, focusing on ship procedures and training. This study investigates the potential exploitation of remote-controlled ships during port navigation. Therefore, this study proposes a risk-based methodology to evaluate ship cybersecurity threats within port limits. Leveraging STPA-SafeSec’s analysis, security threats are identified. FAHP is employed to assess the severity of each constraint. The study focuses on UK ports. Twenty-one cases in the UK are used to weigh the severity of an accident caused by a ship in port. The study highlights the importance of port facilities in monitoring cyber threats for ships. Overexposure to web ship information, combined with the proximity of UK ports in cities, is found to be a severe threat.