Shipping port with digital ransomware lock icon illustrating maritime ransomware attacks.

Maritime Ransomware Surge Threatens Ports & Vessels

The maritime sector is facing an alarming spike in ransomware attacks. In Q1 2025 alone, industrial ransomware surged—with transportation, including maritime, hit hardest—putting ports and vessels at crippling risk.

Top trends reshaping the maritime threat landscape:

  • Surging industrial ransomware: Transportation sector incidents rose significantly in early 2025.
  • Major attack on ship software: A ransomware incident disrupted ~1,000 vessels via DNV’s ShipManager in January 2023.
  • Port breaches continue: The Port of Seattle suffered a data theft impacting 90,000 individuals in August 2024.
  • Geopolitical angle: AI-enhanced, targeted ransomware attacks on cargo systems and navigation technologies are rising.
  • Operational disruption: Port of Nagoya (July 2023) halted cargo operations for two days due to ransomware.
  • Forced shutdowns: Transnet’s ransomware attack on South African ports in July 2021 triggered force majeure across major terminals.
  • Financial blow: Average costs per maritime ransomware incident now reach ~$550,000 in recovery, with ransoms often exceeding $3.2 million.
  1. Critical OT and IT convergence: Ports and vessels rely on legacy OT systems vulnerable to modern ransomware.
  2. Complex supply chains: A single compromised vendor—like a classification society—can cascade to many operators.
  3. Low cyber resilience: Many maritime stakeholders underinvest in cybersecurity, making ransomware a low-hanging fruit.
  • Increasingly sophisticated ransomware (e.g., LockBit, Conti) now target maritime OT/IT.
  • High operational and financial impact with delayed shipments, port closures, and compliance breaches.
  • Fragmented incident response across vessels and port operators fails to contain attacks.
  • Isolate OT systems—navigation, cargo handling—from IT and public networks.
  • Deploy tools on both vessel and shoreside systems with OT-aware configurations.
  • Maintain up-to-date software on port terminals, vessel systems, and third-party solutions.
  • Include ransomware scenarios with clear roles, communication plans, legal counsel, and regulatory reporting procedures.
  • Mandate cybersecurity hygiene and incident response capabilities from suppliers and service providers.

The Saturn Partners delivers maritime-grade ransomware resilience:

  • Industrial-grade backup design and disaster recovery testing
  • OT network segmentation and architecture hardening
  • Bespoke EDR/EDR-X deployment and threat hunting
  • Incident response planning, tabletop drills & forensics readiness
  • Compliance preparedness (IMO, USCG, flag state) and vendor risk assessment

With maritime ransomware attacks rising sharply, every port and vessel must assume breach and build resilience. The Saturn Partners can bolster your defense posture—so you stay operational, compliant, and trusted in the global supply chain.

Want a ransomware resilience assessment or cybersecurity overhaul? Connect now.

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