Shipping ministry urges cyber security boost for growing port infrastructure: 'Safe ports create strong trade'
Just two days ago, two ports and a large inland facility in North Carolina, US, were hit by a major cyberattack on their port authority, which caused a major problem
Just two days ago, two ports and a large inland facility in North Carolina, US, were hit by a major cyberattack on their port authority, which caused a major problem. This stopped the container gates for a whole day at the ports that together moved 4.4 million short tonnes of bulk and break-bulk cargo last year.
Just two days ago, two ports and a large inland facility in North Carolina, US, were hit by a major cyberattack on their port authority, which caused a major problem. This stopped the container gates for a whole day at the ports that together moved 4.4 million short tonnes of bulk and break-bulk cargo last year.
Just two days ago, two ports and a large inland facility in North Carolina, US, were hit by a major cyberattack on their port authority, which caused a major problem. This stopped the container gates for a whole day at the ports that together moved 4.4 million short tonnes of bulk and break-bulk cargo last year.
Upgrading cyber security at India's growing list of ports and related maritime facilities was the focus of the 2nd National Port Security Conference 2026, with Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, highlighting the need for a tech-led transformation.
Noting the growing risk of threat actors, drone incursions, and supply chain snags to the integrity of India's maritime ecosystem, he urged maritime stakeholders to adopt advanced technologies, strengthen institutional coordination, and build a future-ready security ecosystem so that the country's long-term maritime ambitions could progress as they should.
Interestingly, just two days ago, two ports and a large inland facility in North Carolina, US, were hit by a major cyber attack on their port authority. This stopped the container gates for a whole day at the ports that together moved 4.4 million short tonnes of bulk and break-bulk cargo last year.
"Safe ports create strong trade. Strong trade creates a strong economy. And a strong economy builds a strong nation," Sonowal said at the conference, which saw around 140 participants.
This includes senior officials from the MoPSW, the home ministry, the Navy, Coast Guard, state maritime boards, major port authorities, representatives from non-major ports and other industry stakeholders to deliberate on emerging security challenges facing India's maritime sector.
The conference also saw technical sessions on the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, cyber security, geopolitical risks affecting global shipping, and emerging best practices in maritime security, with participants expected to formulate recommendations for strengthening India's port security framework.
In that regard, Sonowal declared that very purpose of the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) was to serve as the dedicated body for managing port and vessel security, and to improve security coordination among various maritime agencies, among other duties, in line with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
He also outlined India's existing digital initiatives, such as the e-Samudra portal, the Maritime Single Window, and the One Nation One Port (ONOP) initiative, saying that the growth of such systems must be accompanied by the growth of the security frameworks that keep them thriving.