Cyberattacks Target Two Oil Tankers Bound for the U.S.

• •Two oil tankers experienced cyberattacks, losing communications for over 30 hours.
• •The U.S. Coast Guard and FBI conducted investigations without reporting major disruptions.
• •Potential links to Iranian cyber actors are being explored amid geopolitical tensions.

In August 2026, two foreign oil tankers, including the VL Prosperity, were reportedly targeted by cyberattacks while navigating the Strait of Gibraltar. The attacks disrupted communications for over 30 hours, raising concerns about the security of maritime operations. The U.S. Coast Guard and FBI boarded the vessels on August 21 and August 24 to investigate potential compromises to their operational and information technology systems. No significant operational disruptions or environmental impacts were reported. Authorities are investigating potential links to Iranian cyber actors amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The incidents highlight vulnerabilities in the maritime sector as ships increasingly rely on interconnected digital systems. Investigations are ongoing, with no definitive attribution to specific threat actors yet confirmed.