FBI and Coast Guard Investigate Cyber Attacks on U.S.-Bound Tankers

The Coast Guard-led teams, supported by the FBI, conducted forensic inspections on an oil tanker and an LNG carrier to determine the extent of the network breaches. Authorities confirmed that despite the unauthorized access, the vessels reported no operational disruptions, stability issues, or environmental threats during their journey toward the United States.

While officials have declined to name the specific ships or identify the perpetrators, the proximity of the incidents to the Strait of Gibraltar has triggered a broader security review. Intelligence sources suggest the attacks may signal an attempt by foreign adversaries to disrupt critical maritime chokepoints. There is growing concern among U.S. national security experts that these digital incursions represent a deliberate effort to expand the scope of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East into the global maritime supply chain.