By Weilun Soon and Haslinda Amin (Bloomberg) — In August, the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest container port in the US, successfully blocked over 120 million cyberattack attempts. This highlights ongoing security challenges as the port adapts to changing tariff policies.
According to Executive Director Gene Seroka, the port has faced various threats including intrusion, network exploitation, and malware attacks. To combat these threats, the port’s cybersecurity team collaborates with private companies, creating a multi-layered digital defense system.
Seroka spoke following revelations that US officials are monitoring cyber threats targeting nearly 20 ships worldwide. In recent years, attacks in the maritime industry have increased due to vessels relying more on digital systems for navigation, communication, and other operations.
“All it takes is for them to succeed just once,” Seroka noted. “This is a top priority for us every day.”
The port's business has also been influenced by shifts in trade patterns and policies. In the past year and a half, cargo from Southeast Asia has grown significantly, while China’s share of the port's total business has decreased. Seroka pointed out that while Vietnam’s trade with the port has quadrupled in the last decade, China's share has dropped from 60% to 40% of the total cargo throughput.
The port has witnessed increased activity as ships are choosing to bypass the Suez and Panama Canals due to security concerns and adverse weather. The low water levels in the Panama Canal have forced carriers to unload cargo on the US West Coast and transport it overland to East Coast markets.
After experiencing its busiest three-month period on record from June to August, Seroka mentioned that the port could see an additional 5% to 10% rise in volume due to cargo rerouting from the Panama Canal.