With ships becoming increasingly digitized, concerns are growing over the threat that hackers pose to maritime safety by compromising electronic control systems. The United States is now investigating a suspected cyberattack targeting an oil and gas transport vessel.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard, responding to inquiries about the ultra-large crude carrier VL Prosperity, confirmed that on August 21, Coast Guard and Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel boarded an unnamed foreign-flagged ship following indications that its network systems may have been breached. Ship tracking data shows that the VL Prosperity arrived near the Texas coast in late August and remains anchored offshore.

Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency reported late last month that the vessel, which had loaded crude oil in Egypt, suffered a cyber intrusion while transiting the Strait of Gibraltar, leading to a 30-hour communications blackout. The VL Prosperity loaded its cargo at Egypt's Sidi Kerir port in late July before arriving in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in late August.

South Korea's HMM Ocean Service, which serves as the safety and technical manager for the VL Prosperity, stated that it has been informed the U.S. Coast Guard has permitted the ship to resume normal operations. The company noted that it has implemented strict cybersecurity protocols to safeguard its managed vessels and is awaiting the final investigative report from U.S. authorities.

Advancements in ship navigation systems have made it easier to monitor vessel movements, optimize speed to save fuel, and reduce waiting times. However, these improvements have also increased the susceptibility of ships to cyber intrusions. Once hackers gain access, they can disrupt everything from a vessel's navigational capabilities to the security of its cargo.