Crew Reports Cyberattack on LNG Carrier Safety Systems, Forcing US Cargo Diversion

## Suspected Cyberattack Forces LNG Carrier Diversion A US liquefied natural gas cargo destined for Italy has been diverted after the crew of its carrier reported a critical systems failure believed to be the result of a cyberattack, according to Splash247. The incident has intensified already-heightened concerns over the vulnerability of shipboard digital infrastructure across the global fleet. The vessel at the centre of the incident is the Vivit Africa, a Liberia-flagged LNG carrier owned by South Korea's H-Line Shipping. Crew members reported that hackers had seized control of the ship's safety systems — a particularly alarming development given the hazardous nature of LNG cargoes and the critical role those systems play in preventing catastrophic onboard incidents. ### A Growing Threat to Maritime Operations The reported attack on the Vivit Africa represents one of the most serious alleged cyber incidents to affect the LNG shipping sector in recent memory. While cyberattacks on shipping companies' onshore IT infrastructure have become increasingly common in recent years — with high-profile incidents affecting major carriers and port operators — direct interference with a vessel's operational technology (OT) and safety systems marks a significant and dangerous escalation. Maritime safety systems aboard LNG carriers include emergency shutdown systems, cargo containment monitoring, and fire and gas detection networks. Any compromise of these systems poses not only a navigational risk but a potential threat to crew safety and environmental integrity. The diversion of the cargo underscores the real-world operational and commercial consequences that cyberattacks can impose on energy supply chains. LNG trade between the United States and Europe has grown substantially in recent years, particularly following the disruption of Russian pipeline gas supplies, making the security of LNG shipping infrastructure a matter of strategic importance. ### Industry and Regulatory Context The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has required shipowners to incorporate cyber risk management into their safety management systems since January 2021, under Resolution MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3. However, the implementation of robust OT cybersecurity measures across the global fleet remains uneven, and incidents such as this highlight the gap between regulatory intent and operational reality. Industry bodies including BIMCO and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) have published guidelines on maritime cyber risk management, but security experts have long warned that legacy systems aboard many vessels present persistent vulnerabilities that are difficult and costly to remediate. Authorities have not yet publicly confirmed the nature or origin of the suspected attack on the Vivit Africa. The incident is expected to draw scrutiny from flag state authorities, charterers, and maritime cybersecurity specialists as investigations continue. *Source: Splash247*