[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [INTERNATIONAL]

2 clusters · 20 sources · 6 days · First seen · Last updated

Cyberattacks on commercial energy tankers

Overview

U.S. federal agencies, including the FBI and Coast Guard, are investigating sophisticated cyberattacks targeting commercial energy tankers. The incidents involve vessels transiting the Strait of Gibraltar and heading toward the United States.

One targeted vessel, the Liberian-flagged VL Prosperity, experienced a 30-hour communications blackout and malfunctions in engine-room systems, including cooling flow and fuel systems. A second vessel, the Vivit Africa LNG, suffered malfunctions involving steam pressure and safety valve systems, which disrupted automated tank pressure controls and boil-off gas management. This forced the ship to idle off the coast of Italy before altering course toward Spain, preventing the delivery of its cargo to an Italian buyer.

While U.S. authorities have not officially attributed the attacks to a specific actor, they are investigating potential involvement by Iranian-aligned actors. Intelligence agencies are currently monitoring approximately 20 commercial vessels globally due to these security concerns.

Entities

FBI · VL Prosperity · U.S. Coast Guard · Federal Bureau of Investigation · Strait of Gibraltar

Timeline

  1. 8 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    U.S. investigates cyberattacks on energy tankers

    U.S. authorities are investigating cyberattacks on energy tankers, including the VL Prosperity and Vivit Africa LNG, which experienced system malfunctions and communications blackouts near the Strait of Gibralt

  2. 13 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 18 sources
    U.S. authorities investigate cyberattacks on two tankers bound for the United States

    The U.S. Coast Guard and FBI are investigating suspected cyberattacks on two tankers bound for the U.S., including the VL Prosperity, following network compromises in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Sources

6abc.com · abc11.com · abc30.com · abc7chicago.com · bairdmaritime.com · cbsnews.com · enterpriseitworldmea.com · gCaptain.com · grahamcluley.com · internewscast.com · itnerd.blog · nam.org · newsday.com · oilprice.com · pulse2.com · seacoastoldies.com · srnnews.com · thecyberwire.com · thehayride.com · therecord.media