Operations at Jawaharlal Nehru Port affected following cyber attack

Operations at the Jawaharlal Nehru port at Nhava Sheva in Raigad district across the Mumbai harbour - one of the biggest ports in the country -  was affected following a cyber attack.

The Ministry of Shipping and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) is looking into the issue and is taking necessary counter measures.

JNPT Chairman Anil Diggikar briefed the Ministry of Shipping of the situation and the measures it had taken so far.

Dr Gulshan Rai, National Cyber Security Coordinator is proceeding to JNPT to further deal with the situation.

According to reports, operations of one private terminal operator at JNPT disrupted as a consequence of worldwide disruption caused by a cyber attack.  The terminal is operated by Danish shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk.

The virus --  GoldenEye (a variant of the Petya ransomware)  - hit Danish shipping and energy company Maersk, in turn affecting its global operations.

The Ministry of Shipping said that the operator informed that this disruption is a consequence of a worldwide disruption being faced by them because of a cyber attack. 

While the operator is taking steps to address the issues disrupting the operations, it is anticipated that there could be bunching of inbound and out-bound container cargo. 

"Ministry of Shipping and JNPT are alive to the situation and are taking steps to ensure minimum disturbance to trade, transporters and more importantly local citizens.  Since the congestion could create difficulties in traffic management, JNPT has opened up its parking lots for cargo destined to this private terminal.  Further, CFSs have been advised to hold the cargo in their yards," a statement by Ministry of Shipping said.

JNPT is also working with local authority CIDCO, to identify more parking areas.  Traffic control teams are being deployed to address potential road congestion.

 The situation is being closely monitored and further steps to deal with the traffic situation will be initiated based on an assessment during the course of the next few days.