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Coast Guard, FBI boarded Texas-bound commercial oil tanker to investigate cyberattack
CBS News • • business
Key Points:
- Coast Guard and FBI teams boarded a Texas-bound commercial oil tanker on August 21 after detecting a possible cyber compromise by a foreign actor during its Atlantic crossing, working to remove the threat without causing operational disruptions.
- The vessel, likely the VL Prosperity, a large Liberian-flagged crude carrier en route to Galveston, Texas, reportedly lost communications for 30 hours and experienced system interference, according to Iranian state media citing crew sources.
- Iranian outlets claimed hackers infiltrated engine-room systems, affecting propulsion, navigation, and cargo controls, though the U.S. has not confirmed the full extent or attributed the breach to any actor.
- The incident underscores the vulnerability of modern oil tankers, which rely on interconnected operational technology, raising concerns that remote cyberattacks could potentially manipulate vessel movements or machinery, posing significant security risks.
- No operational disruptions, crew danger, or environmental impacts have been reported by U.S. authorities following the investigation and mitigation efforts.
