The global shipping industry, which carries nearly 80% of all world trade, is becoming one of the most lucrative and vulnerable targets for cyber criminals.
Once considered a largely physical business dominated by steel, fuel, and manpower, shipping today is deeply digital , and that has opened the floodgates to hackers. A recent BBC investigation reveals that cyber attacks on the sector are rising at an alarming rate, hitting both cargo ships at sea and the massive ports that keep them moving. Nigerian Gangs and the Rise of Ransomware According to Henry Clack, a lawyer at the London-based firm HFW, one of the most common threats comes from Nigerian organised criminal groups. His firm regularly handles high-value “man-in-the-middle” fraud cases, where hackers intercept company emails, impersonate executives, and either steal sensitive data or seize control of IT systems. “They then demand money to give back what they have stolen, or to release their grip on the systems,” Clack told the BBC. Multi-Million-Dollar Losses The financial fallout is staggering. Law firm HFW reports that:
- The average cost of a shipping cyber attack doubled between 2022 and 2023, reaching $550,000 per incident.
- When companies cannot regain control of systems without paying, ransom demands average $3.2 million.
- Some global firms have faced total damages in the tens of millions, factoring in ransom, downtime, cargo delays, and reputational harm.
For example, the 2017 Maersk cyber attack (noted across industry reports) caused $300 million in losses after its systems were paralyzed worldwide. While not all attacks reach that scale, experts warn that even a single strike can wipe out a year’s profits for a mid-sized shipping company.
These costs don’t just affect shipping companies. With four out of every five goods transported by sea, the economic ripple effects are enormous , from rising freight charges to higher prices for consumers.
Why Shipping Is a Prime Target
“Cyber security is a major concern for the shipping industry, given how interconnected the world is,” said John Stawpert of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).
Shipping now ranks among the top 10 global targets for cyber criminals, alongside sectors like banking and healthcare. A successful ransomware strike can paralyze port operations, delay shipments, and create bottlenecks across global supply chains.
Research by the Maritime IT Security group at NHL Stenden University in the Netherlands found that reported cyber attacks on shipping rose from just 10 in 2021 to at least 64 in 2023. Many incidents were traced back to state-linked actors in Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran.
One documented case involved hackers sharing target lists on Telegram, identifying ships delivering equipment to Ukraine and encouraging cyber disruption of their logistics chains.
More Connectivity, More Vulnerability
Digitalisation has brought efficiency but also exposure. Modern vessels increasingly rely on satellite connectivity for communication, navigation, and real-time operations. Even Elon Musk’s Starlink service is now widely used at sea.
But every connection is a potential entry point.
- Outdated systems: The average cargo ship is 22 years old, and many vessels can’t afford frequent upgrades.
- Unauthorized access: In one incident, a US Navy officer was dismissed for installing an unauthorized satellite dish to boost onboard internet.
- GPS spoofing and jamming: Hackers can trick navigation systems into showing false locations, forcing ships off course. In May 2023, the MSC Antonia reportedly ran aground in the Red Sea after a suspected GPS spoofing incident.
Such attacks can cause not just financial loss but also environmental damage and safety risks. A ship steered into shallow waters risks oil spills, groundings, and even loss of life.
Ports in the Crosshairs
It isn’t only ships at sea that are under threat. Ports, the beating hearts of global trade, are also being hacked. Their complex digital systems , which manage container tracking, cargo flows, and customs documentation , are attractive targets. A successful attack can bring an entire terminal to a halt, creating weeks of backlog.
Even emission-monitoring sensors, now common on vessels, have been exploited as weak entry points. These small, often overlooked devices transmit data to shore but can also provide a gateway for hackers.
Can the Industry Defend Itself?
There is some progress. In 2021, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) made it mandatory for ships to include cyber risk management in their Safety Management Systems. Measures now range from basic password hygiene to advanced anti-jamming technologies.
Tom Walters, another shipping specialist at HFW, told the BBC that the rules have raised awareness:
“These provisions prescribe risk management practices into everyday operations of merchant ships, making cyber defence part of global maritime law.”
Still, experts say the fight is uneven. Advanced hackers often move faster than the industry’s ability to adapt.
Negotiating With Hackers
When shipping companies are attacked, lawyers like Henry Clack sometimes have to negotiate directly with cyber gangs. The exchanges are chillingly minimalistic.
“Communication is via online messaging services, maybe one message, no more than a couple of sentences, each day,” Clack told the BBC.
For an industry that once feared pirates armed with AK-47s, the new pirates are faceless, global, and capable of sinking operations with a few keystrokes.
The shipping industry is more aware of cyber risks than it was five years ago. But with global trade, geopolitics, and digitalisation colliding, experts warn that cyber attacks will continue to rise.
As John Stawpert of the ICS summed it up, “The industry is in a far better place than six years ago, but cyber threats will only keep growing.”
For now, the world’s trade routes remain open , but the silent war against hackers is becoming just as critical as the fight against storms, piracy, and geopolitical turmoil.
