By Jake Bleiberg, Myles Miller, and Ryan Gallagher – US government agencies are monitoring cyber threats against nearly 20 shipping vessels around the globe, according to officials familiar with the situation.
The Coast Guard has requested advance notice if any of these ships intend to enter a US port. The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, are not authorized to discuss the issue publicly. Details about the vessels' specific destinations and cargo were not immediately available.
In late August, several commercial ships were targeted in what could have been a series of cyberattacks. An official from the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency mentioned that hackers did not appear to gain control of any of the ships. The Coast Guard is now tracking these vessels along with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, as stated by a Homeland Security official.
In recent years, warnings about cyberattacks aimed at the maritime sector have increased, as ships rely more on digital systems for navigation, communication, and other operations. Governments and security experts have consistently warned that hackers are trying to exploit these systems to disrupt supply chains, adding to the challenges faced by a global shipping industry already affected by conflicts and geopolitical tensions.
The US Coast Guard announced that it boarded two foreign-flagged commercial vessels in the Gulf of Mexico to ensure the security of their operational and IT systems after signs that both vessels' networks were compromised. The first boarding took place on August 21, followed by the second on August 24.
The Coast Guard stated, “Currently, there are no reports of operational disruptions, vessel instability, physical danger to crews, or environmental impacts,” and emphasized that it is actively communicating with port operators, vessel owners, and other stakeholders.