The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed U.S. military and FBI personnel boarded the
foreign-flagged VL Prosperity on Aug. 21 after signs the ship’s network had been
compromised. The VL Prosperity, a very large crude carrier now near Galveston,
Texas, reported no operational disruptions or casualties; its captain, crew and
shore staff are cooperating with investigators. The Coast Guard said it is
coordinating with port operators, the vessel owner and local maritime
stakeholders to ensure port operations continue safely and without interruption.
Iran’s Mehr news agency reported in late August that the VL Prosperity suffered
a 30-hour communications blackout after a cyberattack in the Strait of
Gibraltar.
