Lawyer Henry Clack has extensive experience with Nigerian criminal gangs.
Clack, a solicitor at London-based law firm HFW, represents shipping firms hit by cyber attacks. He says Nigerian groups are the most common adversaries. They have carried out multiple high-value “man-in-the-middle” frauds in recent years.
How hackers exploit shipping
This type of fraud lets hackers intercept communication between two parties. They impersonate both sides to steal login credentials, financial data, or full system access. Criminals then demand ransom to restore stolen data or relinquish control.
HFW data shows attacks on ships and ports are increasing rapidly. Between 2022 and 2023, the average cost of an attack doubled to $550,000 (£410,000). When experts cannot remove hackers, ransom payments now average $3.2m.
Maritime trade under threat
About 80% of global trade travels by sea. Any disruption increases costs and reduces shipping capacity.
John Stawpert, environment and trade manager at the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), warns that criminals and hostile states see shipping as a prime target. “Cyber security is a major concern for shipping, given how interconnected the world is,” he says. “Shipping ranks among the top 10 global targets for cyber crime. Ransomware or disruption can have serious consequences.”
Surge in cyber attacks
Research from the Netherlands’ NHL Stenden University shows maritime cyber incidents rose from 10 in 2021 to at least 64 last year.
Jeroen Pijpker of the Maritime IT Security research group links many cases to Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. He recalls one incident where attackers shared target details on Telegram to disrupt shipments bound for Ukraine.
Other gangs, including Nigerian groups, act mainly for financial extortion.
Digitalisation increases risk
The industry’s rapid digital growth has created new entry points for hackers. Satellite services like Starlink boost connectivity but also increase exposure.
One US Navy chief lost her post after installing an unauthorised satellite dish on a combat ship so officers could access the internet.
Much of shipping’s digitisation remains fragmented and outdated. The average cargo ship is 22 years old, and frequent upgrades are costly.
Digitalisation also introduces risks like GPS jamming and spoofing.
“GPS spoofing feeds false positions to navigation systems,” says Arik Diamant of security firm Claroty. “It can reroute ships or push them into shallow waters.”
In May, the container ship MSC Antonia ran aground in the Red Sea after suspected spoofing. No culprit was named, but Houthi rebels have attacked nearby vessels. Russia has been blamed for GPS interference in the Baltic.
Costly defences
Anti-jam technology exists but is expensive. Many operators cannot afford it.
Emission sensors on ships, which transmit data, also provide additional entry points for hackers.
Tighter regulations improve security
In 2021, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) added binding cyber rules to its safety management code.
Tom Walters, a lawyer at HFW, says ships must now follow mandatory cyber risk management standards. Measures include basic IT practices and advanced safeguards.
“I think the industry is far stronger than six or seven years ago,” says Stawpert. “Awareness of cyber threats has grown and will continue to rise.”
Brief negotiations with hackers
Clack says communication with cyber criminals is limited and controlled. It mostly occurs during ransomware cases. “Often it is just one message a day, rarely more than two sentences,” he explains.
