Lawyer Henry Clack has long dealt with Nigerian criminal gangs.
Clack, a solicitor at London-based law firm HFW, represents shipping companies targeted by cyber attacks. He says Nigerian groups are the most frequent adversaries. They have carried out several high-value “man-in-the-middle” frauds in recent years.
How hackers exploit communication
This fraud allows hackers to intercept messages between two parties. They impersonate both sides to steal login credentials, financial data, or full system access. Criminals then demand ransom to return stolen information or give up control.
HFW data shows attacks on ships and ports are rising sharply. Between 2022 and 2023, the average cost of an attack doubled to $550,000 (£410,000). When removal fails, ransom payments now average $3.2m.
Global shipping under pressure
Around 80% of world trade moves by sea. Any disruption raises costs and reduces 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 cause serious consequences.”
Rising cyber attacks
Research from the Netherlands’ NHL Stenden University shows cyber incidents in shipping jumped 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 example where attackers shared targeting information on Telegram to disrupt shipments bound for Ukraine.
Other gangs, including Nigerian groups, act primarily for financial extortion.
Digitalisation increases risks
The industry’s rapid digital growth has opened new attack routes. Satellite services like Starlink improve connectivity but also raise 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Much of shipping’s digitisation remains fragmented and outdated.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.
Expensive defences
Anti-jam technology exists but remains costly. Many operators cannot afford it.
Emission sensors on ships, which transmit data, also create additional entry points for hackers.
Tighter regulations improve security
In 2021, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) introduced 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 much stronger than six or seven years ago,” says Stawpert. “Awareness of cyber threats has grown and will continue to rise.”
Limited contact with hackers
Clack says communication with cyber criminals is short and controlled. It mostly occurs during ransomware negotiations. “Often it is just one message a day, rarely more than two sentences,” he explains.
