IAPH Calls for ISPS Code Update Amid Rising Maritime Cyber Threats

• •IAPH's survey shows 83% of maritime stakeholders see cybersecurity as a major weakness.
• •The ISPS Code has not been significantly updated since its adoption in 2002.
• •Over 120 maritime incidents have been reported this year, highlighting security vulnerabilities.

The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) has urged the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to revise the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code due to increasing cybersecurity threats. A recent survey of 181 maritime stakeholders revealed that 83% identified cybersecurity and digitalization as weaknesses, with the code receiving an average effectiveness score of only 42.15 out of 100. The call for an update comes as over 120 incidents have been recorded in the Strait of Hormuz and significant attacks in the Black Sea and Gulf of Aden this year. The IAPH presented its findings at the World Ports Conference in London on November 5, 2026, emphasizing the need for updated guidance to address modern port operations and technology risks. The last major revision of the ISPS Code was in 2002, and stakeholders are advocating for mandatory security audits and a more risk-based approach to security. The IMO is set to discuss these issues at its upcoming Maritime Safety Committee meeting in December 2026.