FBI and Coast Guard Investigate Cyberattack on Oil Tankers Near U.S. Coast

U.S. cybersecurity officials investigated two oil tankers heading toward the United States after suspected hackers compromised the vessels’ navigation, propulsion, and cargo-operations networks.

The U.S. Coast Guard and FBI boarded the vessels in the Gulf of Mexico between August 21 and August 24 to examine the integrity of their operational and information technology systems. The agencies said both ships had indications that their networks were compromised.

CBS News shared photos of Coast Guard personnel and FBI agents boarding one of the vessels. Officials said the ship captains, crews, and company representatives cooperated with the investigation.

Cybersecurity Risks in Maritime Operations

The incident highlights growing cybersecurity concerns across the shipping industry. Modern vessels rely on interconnected digital systems for navigation, cargo management, communications, and other critical operations.

CBS News identified one of the vessels as the VL Prosperity, a 333-meter oil tanker capable of carrying more than 2 million barrels of oil. Vessel tracking information from VesselFinder showed the ship operating in the Gulf of Mexico.

CBS reported that hackers allegedly compromised the tanker on August 7 while it was travelling from Egypt to the United States, affecting systems related to speed, fuel management, and communications. Authorities have not confirmed the identity of those responsible.

Federal Agencies Continue Investigation

Officials have not identified the attackers or confirmed whether a specific country was responsible. The investigation comes as U.S. agencies continue monitoring cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has described some recent infrastructure-related attacks as opportunistic.

The FBI and Coast Guard said they received no reports of operational disruptions, vessel instability, physical danger to crews, or environmental impacts after the incidents.