Full Breakdown
U.S. Coast Guard and FBI Board Oil Tanker After Suspected Cyberattack
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
In late August, a specialized team of United States Coast Guard law-enforcement officers, cyber-protection members, and FBI cyber agents boarded a foreign-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) bound for Galveston, Texas. The vessel, identified in Iranian reports as the VL Prosperity, had shown signs that its operational and information-technology networks were compromised by a foreign actor while crossing the Atlantic. The boarding team examined both the ship’s operational technology and IT systems, working with the crew and corporate operators to neutralize the threat. No operational disruptions, vessel instability, physical danger to crew, or environmental impacts have been reported.
Background and Context
The VL Prosperity, a 333-meter Liberian-flagged tanker owned by GMF GLV No 4 SA, arrived at Egypt’s Sidi Kerir terminal in late July and took on nearly 2 million barrels of Saudi Arabian crude. It then sailed west past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Atlantic. Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency reported in mid-August that the ship lost communications for about 30 hours after an alleged cyberattack, claiming the attackers penetrated engine-room systems and interfered with propulsion and fuel controls. Iranian state media later amplified these claims, suggesting broader control over navigation and cargo systems.
Official Statements & Responses
The statement emphasized that the ship’s captain, crew, and shore-based staff cooperated fully and that the agencies are managing communications with port operators and maritime stakeholders to keep port operations safe. U.S. officials have not publicly attributed the breach to any specific actor.
Data and Statistics
- Vessel type: Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC)
- Length: 333 meters
- Capacity: roughly 2.3 million barrels of oil
- Oil loaded at Sidi Kerir: nearly 2 million barrels of Saudi crude
- Reported communications outage: about 30 hours
Verbatim Quotes
- “Currently, there are no reports of operational disruptions, vessel instability, physical danger to crews, or environmental impacts.” — Sources — Sources