Brussels, August 6, 2025 — NATO has issued a stark warning following a series of sophisticated cyberattacks targeting civilian maritime infrastructure across several European nations, raising fresh concerns over the alliance’s cyber readiness and the vulnerability of critical logistics hubs.
In a joint intelligence bulletin released Tuesday, NATO’s Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence confirmed that the recent attacks bear the hallmarks of state-linked actors, with digital forensics pointing to advanced persistent threat (APT) groups believed to be backed by adversarial governments, including Russia and, to a lesser extent, China.
Multiple Ports Disrupted
Over the past six weeks, port facilities in the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland experienced coordinated disruptions that temporarily halted cargo tracking systems, disabled container cranes, and interfered with automated customs processing. Notably, Rotterdam—Europe’s largest port—saw a 36-hour shutdown of critical logistics software in mid-July, costing millions in delayed shipments.
In Poland’s Gdańsk port, systems responsible for ship berthing coordination were manipulated, leading to near-miss incidents and the rerouting of military supply vessels.
“These are not random cyber incidents,” said NATO Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges David van Weel. “They are probing attacks aimed at testing our defenses, exploiting gaps, and potentially preparing the ground for larger-scale disruptions in a future conflict.”
Strategic Maritime Infrastructure as a Target
NATO officials emphasized that civilian ports serve dual-use functions in both commerce and defense, making them attractive targets for hybrid warfare. In the event of conflict, these facilities would be central to transporting military assets, humanitarian aid, and energy supplies.
While all NATO members are required to maintain minimum cyber hygiene standards, a recent internal assessment found that many ports outsource IT operations to private contractors with varying levels of cybersecurity maturity.
“Ports are no longer just physical entry points—they are deeply interconnected digital ecosystems,” said Anu Rautava, a cyber risk analyst at the European Maritime Safety Agency. “An attack on a port’s network can ripple out to affect customs, shipping companies, rail infrastructure, and even national economies.”
Growing Concerns Over Hybrid Warfare
The attacks coincide with broader concerns about Russia’s hybrid warfare strategies, especially as the war in Ukraine drags into its fourth year. Cyber, disinformation, and infrastructure sabotage have all been components of Russia’s toolkit.
Earlier this year, UK intelligence accused Moscow of being behind a malware campaign targeting logistics firms linked to NATO military exercises in the Baltic Sea. Now, analysts believe similar tactics are being repurposed to sow chaos in Europe’s civilian sectors.
Calls for Urgent Action
In response to the warning, NATO is calling on its member states to:
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Conduct urgent cyber resilience audits of critical maritime infrastructure.
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Increase funding for public-private cybersecurity partnerships at ports.
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Expand real-time intelligence sharing with shipping and logistics companies.
The European Commission has also announced an emergency session of the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) to assess regional coordination gaps and consider whether port facilities should be reclassified as “critical defense infrastructure,” triggering stricter regulatory requirements.
Industry Response and Future Outlook
Port operators and shipping companies are now scrambling to upgrade firewalls, secure operational technology (OT) systems, and develop contingency plans for prolonged outages. Maersk, which suffered a $300 million loss during the 2017 NotPetya attack, issued a statement urging industry-wide collaboration on maritime cybersecurity standards.
As tensions rise and digital threats evolve, NATO officials warn that the distinction between civilian and military targets in cyberspace is increasingly blurred.
“The era of cyber peacetime is over,” van Weel said. “We must assume these intrusions are rehearsals for larger operations. The time to harden our digital perimeters is now.”
Disclaimer:
This report is intended purely for informational and journalistic purposes. It is not intended to harm or misrepresent any individual, brand, or organization mentioned. The facts presented are based on publicly available sources and statements at the time of publication.