The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has officially launched the Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology (MariOT), the world’s first industrial-grade cyber-physical platform dedicated to strengthening cybersecurity training and testing for shipboard technologies.
Developed in partnership with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and supported by the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI), the MariOT facility is poised to revolutionize cybersecurity training for the maritime sector. This marks a significant milestone in addressing the growing cybersecurity challenges facing shipboard Operational Technology systems.
Strengthening Cybersecurity Training for Maritime Professionals
MariOT’s industrial-grade design allows for high-fidelity simulations of key maritime systems, such as navigation, propulsion, and power management systems. The facility provides realistic training scenarios, allowing maritime professionals to gain hands-on experience in dealing with potential cyber threats. This bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical, real-world challenges will help improve preparedness and response to cybersecurity risks.
The system significantly enhances cybersecurity training, reducing reliance on physical shipboard infrastructure and creating a collaborative environment where maritime personnel, IT specialists, and engineers can refine best practices. The platform also enables the testing of cybersecurity technologies and helps develop effective incident response protocols.
Partnership with Academic Institutions to Advance Maritime Cybersecurity
MPA Singapore plans to integrate MariOT’s cutting-edge training into the curricula of maritime-related courses through partnerships with local Institutes of Higher Learning. This collaboration offers students access to advanced simulations and the opportunity to enhance their skills through structured internships and cross-disciplinary research projects. The initiative will help develop specialists in maritime cybersecurity and further promote knowledge sharing within the industry.
As part of its ongoing commitment to the growth and evolution of MariOT, MPA will continue expanding the facility’s capabilities. This includes regular training exercises and additional collaborations with international partners to strengthen simulation capabilities and advance global cybersecurity standards.
Inaugural MariOT Cybersecurity Exercise Set for March 2025
SUTD, in partnership with MPA, will host the inaugural MariOT cybersecurity training exercise from March 27 to 28, 2025. The exercise will simulate cyber threats targeting shipboard OT systems and test participants’ ability to detect and respond to cyber intrusions. The event will bring together international port authorities and cybersecurity experts from organizations such as iTrust (SUTD’s cybersecurity research centre), Estonia’s Maritime Cybersecurity Centre, and the School of IT at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech).
David Foo, Assistant Chief Executive (Operations Technology) at MPA, emphasized the value of MariOT in testing and developing cybersecurity solutions in realistic maritime environments. The platform will be an essential tool in upskilling the maritime workforce and improving industry-wide resilience against growing cybersecurity threats.
A Collaborative Effort for Maritime Cybersecurity Excellence
Professor Chua Chee Kai, Associate Provost for Research at SUTD, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with MPA, SMI, and other industry partners in making MariOT a reality. The testbed represents a leap forward in real-world cybersecurity training and testing for maritime operations. Professor Chua believes that the facility will help nurture a new generation of talent skilled in maritime cybersecurity.
Dr. Chen Xinwei, Deputy Executive Director of SMI, underscored the growing concerns surrounding cyberattacks on maritime operations as digitalization and connectivity between ship and shore-based systems increase. He believes that the MariOT testbed will play a pivotal role in testing systems and developing robust defenses to protect maritime operations from emerging cyber threats.
Professor Sanja Bauk of Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) praised the cooperation with Singapore’s institutions and emphasized the importance of joint efforts to advance maritime cybersecurity. The Estonian Maritime Academy’s Maritime Cybersecurity Centre and TalTech’s School of IT continue to support this collaboration with research and training activities.
Quick Insight: At Singapore Maritime Week 2025, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has unveiled the cutting-edge MariOT training facility, marking a significant leap forward in enhancing maritime cybersecurity. This world-first cyber-physical platform provides immersive, high-fidelity simulations of shipboard operational technology systems, helping industry professionals, students, and researchers prepare for emerging cyber threats. By bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world challenges, MPA is driving the maritime sector’s efforts to stay ahead in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.
About MariOT and Its Impact on the Maritime Industry
MariOT is a state-of-the-art, industrial-grade cyber-physical platform designed to address the critical need for realistic cybersecurity training in the maritime sector. By simulating cyber threats in a controlled environment, MariOT provides valuable hands-on experience for professionals in detecting and responding to attacks. As the maritime industry increasingly faces cybersecurity challenges, MariOT represents a key initiative in safeguarding vessel operations, ports, and other critical maritime infrastructure.
This groundbreaking platform is part of MPA’s broader efforts to bolster Singapore’s maritime sector’s resilience to cyber threats and ensure the safe, secure, and efficient operation of maritime operations globally.
Source MPA Singapore