On Aug. 21 and Aug. 24, U.S. Coast Guard and FBI teams boarded two commercial ships that were headed for U.S. ports after receiving indications that the vessels’ computer networks had been compromised. Both ships were foreign‑flagged and were later located in the waters surrounding Galveston, Texas.
Federal response to a cyber‑security alert
The joint operation, described by the agencies as “unusual,” was prompted by alerts that the vessels’ networks were under attack. The Coast Guard, referencing only the Aug. 21 boarding, said “foreign cyber actors” were involved, though it did not name any specific nation. The FBI confirmed that a combined Coast Guard‑FBI team boarded the vessels after the cyber‑security indications.
What is known about the vessels
Maritime‑security firm Dryad Global identified one of the ships as the Liberian‑flagged VL Prosperity. Tracking data from LSEG and MarineTraffic shows the vessel currently anchored near Galveston. Liberia’s ship‑registry has not responded to requests for comment.
Iranian news outlet Mehr reported on Aug. 20 that the VL Prosperity suffered a “major cyber‑attack” while transiting the Strait of Gibraltar, claiming the ship’s communications were knocked out for about 30 hours. The report, citing an unnamed crew member, said hackers also infiltrated the engine‑room systems, reduced cooling flow, increased engine speed, and disabled the fuel and engine‑oil tanks.
Expert perspective
Corey Ranslem, chief executive of maritime‑security company Dryad Global, said ship‑centered cyber attacks are technically feasible and that the industry should expect more of them. “We are expecting these types of attacks to continue and will expand in the very near future,” he said.
Broader context
The incidents come amid a series of cyber‑related events that media reports have linked to Iran since the escalation of tensions between Washington and Tehran. While the agencies have not publicly confirmed Iran’s involvement, the timing and nature of the attacks align with a pattern of state‑linked cyber activity targeting U.S. interests.
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) was contacted for comment but did not immediately respond.
Implications for Gulf maritime security
Federal officials say the boardings demonstrate a proactive stance to protect U.S. ports and shipping lanes from cyber threats. The Gulf of Mexico is a critical conduit for imports, and any disruption could have ripple effects on supply chains and local economies, including Texas’ port operations.
Stakeholders in the maritime industry are urged to review cyber‑security protocols, ensure robust network monitoring, and coordinate with federal agencies to mitigate future risks.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
