The Silent Threat: How Cargo Container Ships are Becoming Weapons of Mass Destruction
Multiple Ships Lose Control in less Than 14 Days!
Photo Credit: John Konrad on X
In an age where technology connects the world like never before, the threat landscape has evolved dramatically. While we often focus on cyberattacks targeting our digital infrastructure, there's a lesser-known, yet equally ominous possibility lurking on the horizon: the potential for cargo container ships to be hacked and used as weapons to take down major bridges across the United States. Up until a few weeks ago, I would have liked to say this scenario was straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster (oh wait…wasn’t there a massive ship that lost control in the recent release of a Netflix movie Leave the World Behind?), but the reality is far more chilling. First we saw the Francis Scott Key Bridge taken out at approximately 0130 hours on March 26, 2024, & today, April 7, 2024, another massive container ship, the APL QINGDAO of French company CMA CGM International Shipping nearly crashed into the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
A massive container ship reportedly lost power on the Upper New York Bay - just before the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge connecting the New York City boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn.
According to Captain John Konrad, CEO of gCaptain, a New York City tugboat captain informed him that the 354-meter container ship APL QINGDAO "lost power while transiting New York harbor."
"They had 3 escort tugs but 3 more were needed to bring her under control. They regained power & were brought to anchor near the Verrazano bridge," the tugboat captain told Konrad. Adding validity to Konrad's report, the vessel's AIS tracking data shows it abruptly dropped anchor late Friday night - just before the 13,700-foot suspension bridge. As of Sunday morning, the vessel's navigational status is "anchored." Zero Hedge
So what are the odds that TWO container ships in the northeastern United States lose power near major bridges & have to drop their anchors to regain control within 12 days?
Photo Credit: NY Post
Did you hear about the Arkansas River Bridge crash on March 31st?
SALLISAW, Okla. —An Arkansas River bridge reopened after a barge struck it Saturday [March 31] afternoon near Sallisaw.
All lanes of US-59 were closed at the river, just south of Sallisaw at the Sequoyah and LeFlore county line just before 1:30 p.m. They reopened around two hours later. - KOCO
The Vulnerabilities at Sea:
Cargo container ships, the workhorses of global trade, are increasingly reliant on sophisticated onboard systems for navigation, propulsion, and cargo management. While these systems enhance efficiency and safety, they also create new vulnerabilities. Just as with any networked device, these systems are susceptible to cyberattacks if not adequately secured. From GPS spoofing to malware infiltration, hackers have a myriad of tools at their disposal to compromise these vessels from afar. It may not matter where the ship is registered or who owns it, there could be a common software vulnerability that is onboard all major cargo ships.
The Bridge as a Target:
Now, imagine a scenario where a malicious actor gains control of a cargo container ship sailing under the radar. Instead of its intended destination, this vessel is steered towards a major bridge, its massive cargo of containers transformed into deadly projectiles. The impact would be catastrophic, potentially causing the collapse of the bridge (as was the case with the Francis Scott Key Bridge) and wreak havoc on transportation networks, commerce, and even national security. The ports of New York, New Jersey, & Norfolk were already receiving diverted volumes of freight from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Clearly, after today’s incident, we aren’t just looking at a one-off event. Especially when the power loss scenarios & proximity to major bridges are eerily similar.
The Perfect Storm of Chaos:
The repercussions of such an attack would be staggering. Beyond the immediate loss of life and infrastructure damage, the economic and social fallout would be felt far and wide. Major bridges are critical arteries of transportation, facilitating the movement of goods, people, and services across the country. Disrupting even one of these vital lifelines could paralyze entire regions, leading to supply chain disruptions, economic turmoil, and widespread panic as I explained in my article last week.
A Call to Action:
As the specter of cyber threats looms larger, it's imperative that we take proactive steps to safeguard our critical infrastructure to include not only physical infrastructure such as bridges, water treatment facilities, & power stations, but also critical life-saving/sustaining health infrastructure as well. On February 21, 2024, a major cyberattack disrupted Change Healthcare’s systems & services which caused significant cascading and disruptive effects on the healthcare field within the pharmaceutical/insurance/doctor transaction facilitating network. I discussed the massive impact in my Pharmageddon Unleashed article. No one other than alternative news sources have discussed the potential cause of the power outages aboard the Dali which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Now that we have a second ship with a similar power issue around a major bridge, the commonalities must be researched.
“Reports indicate both vessels were built by Hyundai with similar wire-drive systems. Some blame a “Linux backdoor” exploit.” - Shadowvendor
Strengthening cybersecurity measures aboard cargo container ships, implementing robust authentication protocols, and enhancing real-time monitoring capabilities are essential steps in fortifying a ship’s defenses against potential attacks. Unfortunately, the burden of fortification will likely rest on the individual shipping company since this is such an international issue. Shipping insurers may require extensive software & equipment audits before allowing a vessel to reenter service causing additional delays & financial burdens.
Photo Credit: Dietmar Hasenpusch
After the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, the Biden Administration was quick to state the federal government would bear the burden for the reconstruction of the bridge:
Washington — President Biden said Tuesday [March 26] that he believes the federal government should pay for the entire cost of the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which collapsed when a container ship crashed into it earlier Tuesday.
"It is my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect the Congress to support my effort," Mr. Biden said in remarks from the White House, adding that he plans to visit Baltimore as soon as he can.
"To the people of Baltimore, I want to say, we're with you," the president also said. "We're going to stay with you as long as it takes."
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, said Mr. Biden has "pledged the full support of the federal government." Hollen said it's a top priority to clear the channel under the bridge because thousands of jobs are "immediately at stake," which could have a ripple effect on the wider economy. CBS News
It’s a strange statement given that a container ship (which should have insurance), was the cause of the bridge’s collapse. But hey, it’s election season. It’s so generous of the Biden Administration to strap American citizens with more debt! We’re only adding an additional $1 trillion in debt every 100 days but no worries. Carry on.
Collaboration and Vigilance:
Furthermore, addressing this threat requires collaboration among government agencies, maritime industry stakeholders, cybersecurity experts, and law enforcement. By sharing intelligence, best practices, and resources, we can better identify and mitigate emerging risks before they escalate into full-blown crises. Additionally, ongoing vigilance and investment in research and development are crucial to staying one step ahead of adversaries in this ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.
The notion of cargo container ships being used as weapons may have seemed like something out of a science fiction novel, but the reality is that the threat is all too real. The first hijacking of a commercial flight occurred on the Cathay Pacific Miss Macao was on July 16, 1948. It appears we’ve moved from aircraft to cargo ships being used to crash into critical infrastructure. Although, another Southwest Boeing 787 just lost it’s engine cowling during takeoff from the Denver Airport today (April 7) but we’ll have to save that story for another time. With modern technology we don’t need people to do the hijacking, just the right signal transmission. As we continue to rely on interconnected systems to power our modern world, we must remain vigilant against emerging cyber threats that could have devastating real-world consequences. By prioritizing cybersecurity, fostering collaboration, and staying ahead of emerging risks, we can build a safer and more resilient future for all.
What can my Fellow Warriors do About it?:
Understand that your food, water, electric, pharmaceutical supplies are at serious risk for some major delays or outages. Please prepare yourself & family accordingly.
Take steps to ensure you have hard copies of important documents, maps, pictures, files, etc. as cloud services may be hacked, deleted, or the electrical grid may be taken down.
Remain vigilant with your online security/presence with two-factor authentication, Virtual Private Networks, & malware scanning software. Do not open emails or click on links when you are not sure of the source.
Remain vigilant in public transportation areas, entertainment venues, & large gatherings. Don’t just zone out with your headphones on. Be on the look out for suspicious actors or packages & don’t hesitate to report it to the police or local authorities.
The key to survival is having a level head in times of chaos. If you are prepared, you will be less apt to panic when everyone else is losing their minds.
Until next time, stay vigilant, stay informed, Ever Forward!