FBI and Coast Guard boarded 2 U.S.-bound oil tankers after network compromise

U.S. Coast Guard and FBI cybersecurity teams boarded 2 oil tankers bound for the United States in the Gulf of Mexico between August 21 and August 24, according to a joint statement shared with TechCrunch. The agencies said they were checking the integrity of the vessels’ operational and information technology systems after indications that both networks had been compromised.

Hackers reportedly took control of navigation, propulsion, and cargo systems on at least 1 vessel. The captain, crew, and the owner’s onshore staff cooperated, the statement said. It added that there were no reports of operational disruptions, vessel instability, physical danger to crews, or environmental impacts.

CBS News identified 1 tanker as VL Prosperity, a 333-meter vessel capable of holding over 2 million barrels of oil. Citing Iranian media, CBS reported that hackers compromised the ship on August 7 while it was traveling from Egypt to the United States, interfering with its speed and fuel systems. The tanker also reportedly lost communications for more than 1 day.

It remains unclear who carried out the attacks. CBS News said the United States is examining whether Iran was involved. A Coast Guard spokesperson did not immediately provide the vessels’ names to TechCrunch.