The shipping industry is facing an alarming surge in cyber-attacks, with IT infrastructure and ransom schemes increasingly targeted by malicious actors. According to research from the Netherlands’ Stenden University of Applied Sciences, the industry endured at least 64 cyber-attacks last year—a sharp rise compared to previous years, as reported by the Financial Times.

This dramatic increase in cyber threats marks a significant shift from a decade ago. In 2013, the maritime sector suffered just three cyber-attacks, and none were recorded in 2003. The current data, derived from comprehensive reviews of company records, media coverage, and academic studies, underscores the growing vulnerability of the industry.

State-backed hackers from a small group of countries are responsible for the bulk of these attacks. Russia leads the charge, followed by China, North Korea, and Iran, together accounting for roughly 80% of the cyber-attacks that can be traced to known assailants. The rise in these attacks coincides with escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This has prompted the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) to issue warnings about targeted strikes on the rules-based global order, which has been vital to the shipping industry since World War II.

“The international rules-based order…the great system [that benefited shipping] since the Second World War is under threat like never before,” warns Guy Platten, secretary-general of the ICS, which represents shipowners controlling around 80% of the global commercial fleet.

One of the most destructive attacks was attributed to Russian agents in 2017, targeting Maersk. This assault took the company’s IT systems offline as part of a coordinated attack on several global corporations, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of cyber warfare on the maritime industry.

The Vulnerability Exposed by the CrowdStrike Outage

The recent outage at CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity firm, has further highlighted the vulnerabilities within the shipping industry and beyond. CrowdStrike’s temporary disruption revealed the heavy reliance that many organisations, including those within the maritime sector, have on cybersecurity services. The incident underscored the potential risks associated with centralised security infrastructures, where a single point of failure can expose entire networks to increased cyber threats.

For the shipping industry, this outage served as a stark reminder of the importance of having robust, multi-layered security strategies in place. The incident also illustrated the critical need for real-time visibility across the supply chain, allowing companies to detect and respond to cyber threats swiftly, even when key cybersecurity tools are compromised.

The Urgent Need for Real-Time Supply Chain Visibility

As cyber threats escalate, it is crucial for businesses within the shipping industry to adopt robust supply chain and climate impact visibility software. These tools provide real-time data insights, enabling Beneficial Cargo Owners (BCOs) and Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) to make informed, business-critical decisions that can mitigate the effects of cyber-attacks and other disruptions on their supply chains.

Real-time visibility not only helps companies quickly identify and respond to cyber threats but also empowers them to navigate the broader challenges posed by geopolitical instability. By integrating advanced visibility solutions, BCOs and LSPs can enhance their operational resilience, ensuring that they can continue to deliver goods efficiently and sustainably, even in the face of rising cyber threats.

The need for such technology has never been more pressing. As the shipping industry contends with both growing cyber risks and the impacts of climate change, real-time data insights will be essential for maintaining the stability and security of global supply chains. This proactive approach will not only protect individual companies but also reinforce the integrity of the international trade system that has supported the industry for decades.

In a dramatic turn of events, a ship carrying hazardous cargo exploded at the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan in Zhejiang province, China, around 1:50 PM local time. The explosion, which sent a massive fireball skyward and scattered debris across the port, underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures in maritime logistics.

Video footage from the state-run China News Network (CCTV) captured the fireball erupting and debris being flung high into the air. The shockwave from the blast was so intense that it caused the roof of a nearby company canteen to collapse and rattled bottles in surrounding stores. Thick black smoke was later observed rising from the cargo hold of the vessel.

The ship involved, the Dong Ming, is operated by Taiwanese container shipping company Yang Ming and was docked at the Beilun Port area. According to maritime search and rescue officials, the vessel was carrying organic peroxide, a highly reactive chemical classified under hazard class 5.2. This classification indicates that the cargo must be kept refrigerated to prevent combustion and the release of harmful fumes.

Reports suggest that the cargo’s water-cooling system was not operational, potentially due to Ningbo’s recent hot weather, which exacerbated the risk. The ship was en route from Shanghai to the Middle East when the incident occurred. Fire tugboats and response teams are on-site, and port officials are investigating the cause of the explosion. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported, but nearby residents are being evacuated as a precaution.

This incident at one of the world’s largest ports, which handles hundreds of millions of tankers, bulk carriers, and containerships annually, highlights the critical need for stringent safety measures and protocols in handling hazardous materials. The Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan’s explosive event serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards in global logistics and the importance of ensuring robust safety systems and preparedness for such emergencies.