WinGD secures DNV’s cyber security type approval for its engine control system

Swiss marine power company WinGD has received a cyber security type approval for its engine control system from classification society DNV.

As explained, the company is the first marine engine designer to obtain this type of approval. Specifically, DNV has granted WinGD Control Electronics (WiCE) an SP1 type approval, aligning with International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Unified Requirement (UR) E27 technical system requirements – a cybersecurity standard that will apply to all newbuilds.

DNV’s SP1 ‘Cyber Secure Essential’ notation certifies that vessels are built with cybersecurity standards equivalent to UR E26, governing system integration, and UR E27, applying to installed technologies.

The engine control system is one of several ship systems that need to be validated to E27 standard. Type approval assures that WiCE is technically ready to meet this standard. The new regulations are due to enter force in 2024.

“This approval places WinGD as a frontrunner in the cybersecurity of essential ship systems, offering peace of mind to yards and shipowners that vessels powered by a WinGD engine will be compliant with upcoming regulations. It is great to see our digital roadmap on track to deliver the confidence and security our customers rely on us for,” WinGD Head of Digital Transformation & Technology Peter Krähenbühl said.

“Cybersecurity is an increasingly critical element for the safe operation of more vessels as system complexity interconnectedness on-board and on-shore deepens. This is also a trend we see reflected not only in the emerging regulations, but commercial requirements,” DNV Head of Digital Ship Systems Jarle Coll Blomhoff added.

The approval ensures that WiCE meets a list of requirements that safeguard cybersecurity according to the IEC62443 standard. This includes identification and authentication, software authenticity verification, backup and rollback functionality, cybersecurity event logging, and traffic monitoring and control.

The approval of WiCE is the first step in assuring cybersecurity across WinGD’s control and monitoring systems for vessels. The next steps involve working towards type approval for sub-control systems governing auxiliary components, including emissions abatement.

WiCE was introduced in 2019 to provide WinGD engines with the robust connectivity and security needed to support more advanced control strategies, as well as increased integration with other ship systems. It is deployed across most new WinGD engines and will replace the long-established UNIC architecture, according to the company.

In July this year, Swiss company signed a proof-of-concept agreement with Singapore-based emissions data specialist Chord X to develop digital solutions focused on sustainability in shipping.

The collaboration targets providing visibility into how engine performance affects overall vessel operational efficiency as reported under IMO’s incoming CII regulation.