A brief overview of international legal regulation of maritime cargo transportation in the context of information security

Modern international shipping faces significant cybersecurity challenges due to the industry's rapid digitalization. This study analyzes international legal norms and principles for the application of information and communications technology (ICT) in the maritime industry. The focus is on public relations in the area of maritime information security. The primary objective of this study is to identify existing gaps and assess the potential risks posed by cybercrime in the maritime sector, followed by the development of proposals to strengthen the international legal framework. The rapid introduction of digital technologies into the maritime industry is creating new vulnerabilities, necessitating the development of a specialized regulatory framework and the implementation of comprehensive protective mechanisms against cyber threats. The results of this study can serve as a basis for the development of national and interstate programs to protect the maritime industry from cyber threats. In preparing this work, the author relied on the works of domestic and foreign specialists, the regulatory framework of the Russian Federation (RF), as well as documents of international law. The research methods applied include general scientific approaches (dialectical, systemic, and logical analysis) and specialized legal methods (comparative legal, formal legal, and historical legal). The article highlights key technological vulnerabilities in the shipping industry, such as navigation systems, vessel management systems, and data exchange platforms. Particular attention is paid to risks associated with the use of automated and remotely controlled systems. The main directions of cybercrime in the maritime sector are identified, including cyberattacks on ports and shipping companies, threats to national security, and cases of piracy using digital methods. Cases are considered where cyberattacks may be used as a tool to support the activities of illegal maritime groups. Protecting shipping routes in the digital environment is only possible through international cooperation, especially concerning countering piracy carried out through IT technologies against maritime vehicles. Potential damage can vary in scale, starting from technological failures. The increasing cyber threats in the maritime sector necessitate a reassessment of the legal framework: it is advisable to recognize digital crimes as acts covered by universal jurisdiction, which will ensure a proportional response to increasing risks.