Lawyer Henry Clack has extensive experience with Nigerian criminal gangs.
Clack, a solicitor at London-based law firm HFW, represents shipping firms targeted by cyber attacks. He says Nigerian groups are the most common adversaries. They have carried out several high-value “man-in-the-middle” frauds in recent years.
How hackers exploit shipping
This fraud allows hackers to intercept communication between two parties. They impersonate both sides to steal login credentials, financial data, or full system control. Criminals then demand ransom to restore stolen data or relinquish access.
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.
Maritime trade under pressure
About 80% of global trade moves by sea. Disruptions increase costs and reduce shipping capacity.
John Stawpert, environment and trade manager at the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), says 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.”
Sharp rise in cyber attacks
Research from the Netherlands’ NHL Stenden University shows maritime cyber incidents 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 incident where attackers shared target information on Telegram to disrupt shipments bound for Ukraine.
Other gangs, including Nigerian groups, act primarily for financial extortion.
Digitalisation increases vulnerability
The industry’s rapid digital growth has opened new attack routes. Satellite systems like Starlink improve connectivity but also heighten risk.
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Much of shipping’s digitisation remains fragmented and outdated.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 defence measures
Anti-jam technology exists but remains expensive. Many operators cannot afford it.
Emission sensors on ships, which transmit data, also create additional entry points for hackers.
Tighter regulations enhance security
In 2021, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) added binding cyber provisions 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 communication with hackers
Clack says contact with cyber criminals is short and controlled. It mostly happens during ransomware negotiations. “Often it is just one message a day, rarely more than two sentences,” he explains.
