Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) said it is looking at ways to support Maersk Line, its vessel-sharing partner that has been hit by a global ransomware.
In a statement on June 28, MSC assured that it is not under attack from Petya and that its systems and business operations “are working normally and bookings can be placed as usual.”
Noting that the cyber attack has affected its 2M partner Maersk Line, among other businesses and governments in Europe, MSC said it “offers its full support to Maersk Line at this time, and we are working together to find other means to transmit data between the two companies.”
This, it said, includes information such as vessel bayplans, load lists, and customs information.
“If necessary, the 2M partners are prepared to divert ships away from terminals which are not currently operating as a result of the attack. MSC operates 53 terminals around the world which are fully available to 2M vessels to load and unload cargo with minimal delay,” it added.
Petya is a family of encrypting ransomware that was first discovered in 2016. The malware targets Microsoft Windows-based systems, infecting the master boot record to execute a payload that encrypts the NTFS file table, demanding a payment in bitcoin in order to regain access to the system. In June 2017, a new variant of Petya was used for a global cyber attack, primarily targeting Ukraine.
Photo: Bahnfrend
