Lawyer Henry Clack has extensive experience with Nigerian criminal gangs.
Clack, a solicitor at London-based law firm HFW, represents shipping companies hit 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 target the industry
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 return stolen information or surrender 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 experts cannot remove hackers, ransom payments now average $3.2m.
Maritime trade under strain
Around 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), 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.”
Attacks multiply rapidly
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 exposes new risks
The industry’s rapid digital growth has created additional attack routes. Satellite services like Starlink boost connectivity but also increase vulnerability.
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Much of shipping’s digitisation remains fragmented and outdated.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 create additional entry points for hackers.
Regulations strengthen 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 much stronger than six or seven years ago,” says Stawpert. “Awareness of cyber threats has grown and will continue to rise.”
Controlled communication with hackers
Clack says contact with cyber criminals is brief and controlled. It mostly happens during ransomware negotiations. “Often it is just one message a day, rarely more than two sentences,” he explains.
