FBI and Coast Guard Boarded Hacked Oil Tankers Headed Toward U.S. Coast

Cybersecurity teams from the U.S. Coast Guard and FBI boarded two U.S.-bound oil tankers in the Gulf of Mexico between August 21 and August 24. A joint statement said the agencies acted after indications that both vessels’ networks were compromised and worked to ensure the integrity of operational and information technology systems.

At least one ship’s network was reportedly compromised in a way that affected navigation, propulsion, and cargo systems. The captain, crew, and on-shore staff of the vessel’s owner cooperated with the agencies, according to the statement shared with TechCrunch.

The incident underscores how modern tankers depend on complex onboard networks for navigation, cargo organization, and routine vessel operations. When those systems are compromised, the risk can extend beyond data loss to operational reliability and maritime safety.

For shipping operators, the takeaway is clear: operational technology and information technology on vessels need continuous monitoring, segmentation, and incident response plans that account for at-sea disruptions.

CBS News identified one of the vessels as VL Prosperity, described in the article as a 333-meter oil tanker capable of holding more than 2 million barrels of oil. The report said the tanker was in the Gulf of Mexico, citing VesselFinder.

CBS also reported that hackers compromised the ship on August 7 while it traveled from Egypt to the United States, interfering with speed and fuel systems. The tanker also reportedly lost communications for more than a day.

It is not yet clear who was behind the attacks. CBS News said the U.S. is looking into whether Iran was involved, while CISA has described related recent attacks as “opportunistic” in nature.

The joint FBI-Coast Guard statement said there were no reports of operational disruptions, vessel instability, physical danger to crews, or environmental impacts. That limits the known immediate damage, but the case still highlights the growing importance of maritime cybersecurity for energy transport and logistics.