Robustel has secured ClassNK Type Approval for its MG460 maritime networking platform, completing certification across DNV, CCS and ClassNK as shipowners and shipyards face tighter cyber resilience requirements under new IACS rules. The company says the approvals position its platform as a verified option for vessel operators and integrators building compliant shipboard network architecture.
Maritime connectivity specialist Robustel has secured ClassNK Type Approval for its MG460 Gateway and MG460 Forwarder, completing certification across three major classification societies as cyber resilience requirements reshape vessel network design.
The approval, issued under IACS UR E27 as a Computer-Based System, adds to existing certifications from DNV and the China Classification Society. The Guangzhou-headquartered company said the latest approval strengthens its position with shipowners, shipyards and system integrators seeking compliant networking infrastructure for newbuild projects.
The certification comes as cyber risk management forms part of mandatory maritime safety compliance under the SOLAS and ISM frameworks. IACS UR E26 and UR E27 became mandatory for vessels contracted from 1 July 2024, placing greater scrutiny on how onboard systems are segmented, secured and documented during class approval processes.
Robustel developed the MG460 platform specifically for IEC 61162-460 environments, which govern protected navigation and bridge networks aboard commercial vessels. The system is designed to support controlled data exchange between isolated onboard domains and external communications channels while maintaining strict network separation required by maritime regulations.
The MG460 Gateway manages vessel-to-shore communications through firewalling, encrypted tunnels and segregated exchange zones, while the MG460 Forwarder handles internal data transfer between authorised shipboard systems. Together, the products are intended to help operators and integrators establish class-aligned cyber resilience across connected vessel environments.
Desmond Kuang, General Manager of Robustel’s Maritime Business Unit, said: “Class approval is not a marketing exercise. It requires documented security architecture, tested procedures, and ongoing maintenance obligations.”
He added: “The MG460 platform was built specifically for shipboard environments, not adapted for them. Every connection should be controlled, auditable, and appropriate for the systems it touches — and independent certification is how we demonstrate that commitment with evidence, not assertion.”
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