Digital threats pose an increasing risk to nautical and logistical operations in Dutch seaports. To address these cyber risks, the Seaports Trade Organisation (Brancheorganisatie Zeehavens, BOZ), the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, and the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) have collaboratively developed the Cyber Strategy for Dutch Seaports.
As part of this plan, the FERM Foundation—currently active in the ports of Rotterdam and Moerdijk—will transition into a national cybersecurity platform for Dutch seaports under the BOZ umbrella. The partnership agreement formalizing this transformation was signed on 10 December.
With digital threats to ports escalating daily, cyber incidents can severely disrupt the interconnected supply chain. To strengthen resilience, port authorities united under BOZ—comprising Groningen Seaports, North Sea Port, the Port of Rotterdam, the Port of Moerdijk, and the Port of Amsterdam—will collaborate with local businesses to enhance the digital security of the port ecosystem.
FERM’s role will expand to include other Dutch seaports, building on its foundation in 2021, where it focused on fostering collaboration among companies in the Port of Rotterdam, raising awareness of cyber risks, and striving to make it the most digitally secure port in the world.
Boudewijn Siemons, Chair of BOZ and CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority commented: “Cybersecurity is critical to the continuity and security of our ports. At a time when digital threats are becoming more sophisticated, we must take proactive and concerted action to protect our infrastructure and operations. Only by working together can we strengthen the resilience of our ports and prepare for the challenges of the future. It’s great that the seaports have come together on this issue and we all realise just how hugely important it is. Together we will build on what FERM has already achieved in recent years.”
