In the Middle East and North Africa—home to vital chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal—maritime cyber threats now pose a direct danger to global commerce, Pordham warns
Cyber‑physical threats against maritime infrastructure are growing increasingly sophisticated, industry experts warn, just as traditional perils like piracy and shadow fleets continue to pose strategic risks.
Lockton MENA’s assistant vice president, Luke Pordham, describes a concerning trend: GPS jamming disrupted the navigation of the cargo ship MSC Antonia, contributing to its grounding—a stark example of cyber mischief translating into physical damage . He emphasises that this incident highlights how operational technology onboard modern vessels is becoming an attractive target for hackers seeking to interfere with navigation and even vessel controls.
In the Middle East and North Africa—home to vital chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal—maritime cyber threats now pose a direct danger to global commerce, Pordham warns. “From voyage planning and propulsion control to port logistics and remote diagnostics, the reliance on connected systems has grown rapidly” . Yet cyber‑security measures are lagging behind, especially where legacy systems that were never designed for the internet remain in use.
Pordham also raises concerns over the global interdependence of maritime systems: one operator’s breach could cascade through multiple countries and key shipping routes. He notes that attacks are no longer theoretical—manipulation of navigational data such as AIS, radar spoofing, and GPS jamming are increasingly reported, particularly in tension zones like the Red Sea and the Gulf .
He recalls the 2017 NotPetya attack on Maersk, which caused over US $300 million in losses and affected critical ports like Jebel Ali and Salalah . Similar incidents followed in 2021, when Iranian port systems were breached—examples that underscore the maritime sector’s growing cyber‑physical vulnerabilities.
Insurance concerns are mounting in parallel. The MSC Antonia case marks a shift in marine underwriting: what began as a navigation accident may have been triggered by digital interference . As regulators tighten requirements, insurance providers are now urging companies to bolster cyber resilience or face reduced coverage and increased premiums.
The stakes are considerable. Ports, cruise lines, cargo carriers and shipyards are facing a new era of risk where cyber incidents can swiftly become physical catastrophes. Experts urge comprehensive reviews of legacy systems, stronger cyber‑risk provisions in marine insurance, and greater investment in defensive technology—especially as geopolitical flashpoints continue to mount.