September 16, 2026 (Bloomberg) – The US is looking into possible cyberattacks on oil and gas tankers, amid rising worries about hackers threatening maritime safety by interfering with ships’ electronic systems.
On August 21, officials from the US Coast Guard and the FBI boarded a foreign-flagged vessel following signs that its network had been hacked, according to a Coast Guard spokesperson who responded to inquiries from Bloomberg News about the VL Prosperity supertanker.
The VL Prosperity is currently sitting idle off the Texas coast after arriving in the area in late August, as shown by ship-tracking data. Iranian semi-official news outlet Mehr reported that the tanker, which loaded oil in Egypt, lost its communications for 30 hours due to a cyberattack while in the Strait of Gibraltar.
The Coast Guard has cleared the tanker for normal operations, according to HMM Ocean Service, the South Korean company responsible for the ship's safety and technical management. They stated they have strong cyber protocols to ensure the safety and security of their vessels and are waiting for the final investigation report from US authorities.
In a related case, a second vessel, an unnamed liquefied natural gas carrier, was also examined for a potential cyberattack, as reported by the Wall Street Journal based on an FBI statement. This inspection took place on August 24.
These incidents occur as the global shipping industry faces growing challenges from wars and geopolitical tensions, while shipowners seek to digitalize their navigational and operational systems to enhance efficiency and cut costs. Today, ships encounter numerous security threats, including risks of becoming collateral damage in conflict areas where military forces interfere with navigational systems to prevent drone attacks.
Mark Douglas, an analyst from Starboard Maritime Intelligence and a former naval officer in New Zealand, noted, “The attack surface for vessels is increasing. Ships’ electronic control systems are more connected to the internet to gather data on operations.”
Cyberattack Guidelines
In April, the US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration issued an advisory encouraging shipowners and operators to adopt best practices to limit access to these digital systems and minimize vulnerabilities. Last year, the International Maritime Organization, a UN agency, released guidelines on managing cyber risks.
Experts boarded the VL Prosperity to conduct a thorough cyber security assessment and investigation. The tanker’s captain, crew, and shore staff assisted with the investigation, and there have been no reports of operational issues, vessel instability, threats to crew safety, or environmental harm.
The Coast Guard stated, “We are actively managing communications with port operators, vessel owners, and local maritime stakeholders to ensure safe and uninterrupted port operations.”
The VLCC arrived at Sidi Kerir on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast in late July, where it loaded nearly 2 million barrels of Saudi Arabian oil. It then traveled west past Gibraltar into the Atlantic Ocean. The ship’s owner is identified as GMF GLV No. 4 SA, which is based in Liberia, although maritime database Equasis does not list any contact information for the company.