Coast Guard and FBI Board Energy Tankers After Cyberattacks

The U.S. Coast Guard and FBI boarded two energy tankers in late August after they were hit by cyberattacks, raising concerns about the vulnerability of maritime infrastructure to digital threats.

The VL Prosperity, a 1,093-foot Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker, was one of the vessels targeted while en route to Galveston, Texas. Iranian state media initially reported that hackers had accessed its propulsion, navigation, and cargo systems, disrupting communications for 30 hours.

Rear Adm. Amy Grable, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Command, said investigators found evidence of a malicious cyber actor on board the ship. The U.S. is still investigating whether the two attacks are connected and if they were carried out by Iran or another foreign adversary.

Grable warned that the risk of a large vessel being compromised near an American port is significant, with $5.4 trillion in commerce flowing through U.S. ports annually. The potential economic impact could be substantial, with even small delays caused by cyber breaches having far-reaching consequences.