Australian port operator shuts down amid cyber security incident

DP World, which is one of the largest terminal operators in Australia has reported that the company had suspended all port terminal operations due to what it is calling a “cybersecurity incident.”  Operations were being suspended the company said for the safety of its customers and employees.

The Australian Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday that the government was coordinating a response.

DP World Australia, which operates ports in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle, is responsible for 40 per cent of maritime freight said it began responding to a cybersecurity incident on Friday.

While ships remain able to unload freight, the freight cannot then leave the port site. 

“To safeguard our employees, customers, and our networks, we have restricted landside access to our Australian port operations while we continue our investigation,” a spokesperson said.

The operator said it took immediate action which included disconnecting internet connectivity, which stopped any ongoing unauthorised access. 

This resulted in key systems that underpin operations at its Australian ports to not function normally.

This disruption comes as DP World is also facing two months of ongoing industrial action by the Maritime Union of Australia, including work stoppages and bans on loading and unloading trucks.

The Australian Government is responding to a nationally significant cyber incident impacting a number of maritime port facilities operated by DP World Australia.

— National Cyber Security Coordinator (@AUCyberSecCoord) November 11, 2023