Enhancing climate resilience and cybersecurity
The Pacific region stands at a pivotal point in its quest to strengthen maritime infrastructure against climate change and bolster cybersecurity measures.
As rising sea levels and cyber threats challenge port operations, regional leaders and experts are calling for urgent action to safeguard this vital sector.
Climate change’s impact on the Pacific’s maritime infrastructure is profound. Increasing sea levels, more frequent and severe storms, and other climate-related phenomena pose significant risks to ports, shipping routes, and coastal infrastructure.
Pacific experts say that balancing effective shipping services with climate-resilient infrastructure is crucial. However, legacy issues such as inadequate infrastructure maintenance pose significant challenges.
Obtaining sufficient funds to develop infrastructure capable of withstanding climate impacts also remains a challenge, while access to materials and ensuring long-term maintenance are additional hurdles.
Despite these challenges, Pacific Island countries such as Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu are making notable progress in enhancing their port infrastructure. Tonga’s Queen Salote International Wharf (QSIW) is another site of climate adaptation.
The port underwent a major upgrade to enhance resilience against extreme weather and rising sea levels, with the finalised work officially unveiled in July in Nuku’alofa.
The project included stronger sea walls, elevated wharfs, and improved drainage systems.
Tonga’s Minister for Infrastructure, Sevenitini Toumo’ua, emphasised the local benefits of the upgrade, stating: “The economic importance of Tonga’s ports for local industry, businesses, and everyday life cannot be understated.”
The improvement program, which began in 2020, received a grant of US$45 million from the Asian Development Fund, a contribution of US$20 million from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), and US$8.5 million from the Government of Tonga, bringing the total value to US$83.5 million.
Regional cooperation key
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has also highlighted the need for regional cooperation in tackling climate-related challenges in the maritime sector.
“Our islands are interconnected in their vulnerabilities, and our response must reflect this reality,” he said during the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) on Port infrastructure and Services and Cybersecurity Cooperation at the end of April 2024.
“We must work together to bolster our maritime infrastructure against the escalating threats posed by climate change. Only through collective action can we ensure the safety and sustainability of our maritime operations.”
Solar panels at a carbon neutral facility. PHOTO: Fiji Ports Association
In Fiji, significant upgrades are underway at the Port of Suva to enhance resilience to extreme weather. This includes strengthening sea walls, improving drainage systems, and incorporating advanced monitoring technologies.
However, technical expertise poses a challenge.
“Limited local expertise in climate-resilient engineering is an issue,” notes Florence Nand, Manager – Planning & Strategy Implementation at Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd.
“We are investing in training programs and collaborating with international experts to bridge this gap.”
Regulatory hurdles and community engagement also complicate efforts.
“Navigating regulatory requirements and ensuring compliance with environmental standards can be complex,” she adds.
Maritime cybersecurity: An emerging concern
Alongside physical upgrades, cybersecurity has become a critical focus.
The maritime sector’s increasing reliance on digital technologies has made it a target for cyberattacks.
Recognising this, Pacific leaders have taken steps to bolster cybersecurity.
Fiji and Australia signed a MOU to establish regional cybersecurity standards and enhance cooperation under the ‘Vuvale Partnership’.
Bringing immediate effect to this MOU, Fiji Ports Corporation Limited and Australia also signed a grant agreement on the development of a Lautoka Port Masterplan. This will upgrade Lautoka port and enhance the international and domestic port operations, to meet ongoing and changing customer needs.
The MOU also outlines initiatives such as the Pacific Cybersecurity Centre, which will serve as a hub for regional cooperation, capacity building, and information sharing.
“Cybersecurity is not just about protecting data; it’s about protecting our way of life,” Rabuka said.
“In today’s world, a cyberattack can be just as devastating as a natural disaster. We must be prepared.”
Australian Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government, Pat Conroy, reiterated this message.
“Cyber threats are evolving rapidly, and our maritime sector must be prepared to face these challenges head-on,” Conroy said.
He noted that Fiji and Australia would work in partnership to strengthen their response to cyber incidents, including through improving information sharing, upskilling Fiji’s workforce and enhancing governance arrangements.
Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd is meeting these challenges. Nand states: “We are implementing state-of-the-art cybersecurity technologies to protect our maritime operations from emerging threats. “This includes deploying advanced intrusion detection systems, conducting regular security audits, and training our personnel to recognise and respond to cyber threats.”
Nand notes that the Pacific’s international ports must align with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which includes cybersecurity components.
Regional collaboration is vital in addressing these challenges.
The Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC) Pacific, an initiative aligned with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Global Maritime Network, focuses on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from maritime activities.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to address climate change through the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee and the GHG reduction strategy.
While MTCC Pacific does not directly handle cybersecurity issues, it aims to promote the alignment of ports with the ISPS
Code and advocates for the implementation of maritime single windows to streamline port processes and enhance efficiency.
The Pacific Islands Forum has also facilitated dialogue among member states on maritime cybersecurity. The recent South West Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces (SWPHMF) meeting in Nuku’alofa, which gathered together navy leaders from 14 nations, further emphasised this theme.
“There is no economic security without maritime security for our nations,” Australia’s Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond told that meeting.
“Our ability to trade, the tourism that comes with being a coastal nation, and the seabed cables that connect us to the global financial system and the internet are all dependent on secure and resilient maritime infrastructure.”
Commodore Andrew Brown, the Acting Chief of Navy for New Zealand, added that we should treat climate change as a threat to maritime security.
“Climate change has a roll-on effect that affects a nation’s ability to be secure and prosperous,” Brown said.
Looking ahead, the Pacific Ports Vision 2030-2050 Recognition Framework offers a roadmap for enhancing port resilience.
The framework is expected to outline initiatives for greening ports, improving operational efficiency, reducing carbon footprints, and preventing marine pollution. It is aimed to provide a strategic guide for countries to move towards greater sustainability in port operations.
Minister Toumo’ua also underscores the importance of international support in delivering on these ambitions.
“The support from our international partners is invaluable in our efforts to strengthen our maritime infrastructure and cybersecurity,” he said.
“We rely on this assistance to build capacity, implement best practices, and ensure that our ports and shipping routes are secure and resilient.”
