A suspected ransomware attack has reportedly hit the management information system (MIS) of one of India’s top container terminals, forcing the port to turn ships away.
According to a report in The Loadstar, the MIS at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal (JNPCT), one of five shipping facilities in India’s top container gateway of JNPT (Nhava Sheva) was “knocked out” in a ransomware attack this week.
JNPCT is the oldest terminal in the public harbour, operated by the landlord port, while the others are run privately on licence by DP World, APM Terminals and PSA on a build-operate-transfer basis.
“The attack was detected yesterday and, according to sources, the port authority has been working feverishly to restore the critical operating systems,” the supply chain portal reported.
A shipping line official said there were no firm indications at this stage regarding when the outage would be repaired.
JNPT had not issued any official updates on the source and type of the attack, but one of its scheduled vessels was diverted to a nearby terminal after it abruptly stopped accepting vessels.
“The other private terminals at JNPT are operating normally, according to port sources,” the news site added.
Cyber security is becoming an increasing challenge for businesses generally across the world, and the marine sector, including ports, has not been spared from ransomware attacks.
In South Africa, Transnet had to declare a force majeure at several key container terminals, including the Port of Durban, Cape Town, Ngqura and Port Elizabeth following a cyber-attack in July 2021.
In June 2017 Maersk was targeted in the crippling ‘Petya’ cyber-attack.
