A new cyberattack is spreading from Russia and the Ukraine, through Europe and into the US hitting port operators in New York and Rotterdam, disrupting government systems in Kiev, and disabling operations at a diverse number of companies.
A.P. Mollet-Maersk, an integrated transport and logistics company with the largest fleet of vessels in the container shipping sector operator, stated in a press release today that its customers are presently unable to utilize online booking tools and its internal systems are down. The attack is affecting multiple sites and business units and full risk and exposure is being assessed along with back up plans.
APM Terminals, owned by Maersk, is experiencing system issues at multiple terminals, including the Port of New York and New Jersey, the largest port on the U.S. East Coast, and Rotterdam in The Netherlands, Europe’s largest harbor. APM Terminals at the Port of New York and New Jersey will be closed for the rest of the day “due to the extent of the system impact,” the Port said.
Ransomware attacks have been soaring and the number of such incidents increased by 50 percent worldwide in 2016, according to Verizon Communications Inc.