More Than 110 Iranian Tankers and Cargo Ships hacked and communication disabled

Recently on 22nd Aug 2025, approx. 110+ Iranian ships and tankers were hacked.

On 22nd Aug’ 2025, Lab Dookhtegan claimed on their Telegram channel that they have hacked the communication of 116 Iranian oil tankers and ships, the hacktivists claimed to have completely disrupt the communication of the ships, within and outside communication with ports.

Most of the ships belonged to two Iranian companies associated with Iranian government to carry oil and cargo.

Vessels are usually using VSAT, Very Small Aperture Technology to communicate through satellite which were hacked as per the news and the AIS, Automatic Identification System was compromised.

This is an alarming example for the whole maritime industry as in the present situation their have been a lot of geo-political tensions going on and maritime industry can be vulnerable to these attacks.

Below are the details of history of cyberattack on maritime industry

• August 2017- Cyberattack on Maersk by ransomware Notpetya, completely disrupted the Maersk global communication systems including the laptops and desktop of each employee , it took more than 10 days to get back the control form ransomware.

• July 2018 – Cosco was hit by ransomware attack.

• 2020 – MSC was attacked at its Geneva headquarters.

• 2023 – Port of Nagoya was attacked by ransomware.

Maritime industry is not new to these attacks and its vulnerability raises concerns over shipping disruptions, maritime safety and the potential sanctions evasion.

 Nowadays the cybersecurity plays in important role for maritime industry as a whole.