WATCH: Shipping faces accelerating AI cyber threats

A new Cydome Security research report warns that newly disclosed software vulnerabilities affecting shipboard, offshore and onshore systems are now being weaponised within 48 hours, compared with an average 63-day exploitation window in 2018 and five days in 2024.

The collapse of this response timeframe is creating acute cyber security challenges for shipping companies increasingly dependent on connected operational technology.

Tetsuji Madarame, former head of digital transformation and Innovation at NYK Line, warned that as AI capabilities expand into autonomous navigation and fleet optimisation, “protecting AI-related assets must be a top priority.”

Fastest growing cyber threat

The report finds 87% of maritime organisations now view AI-linked vulnerabilities as the fastest-growing cyber security threat, while 83% of phishing emails already leverage AI to target multinational crews in native languages.

AI-enabled voice phishing has surged by 1,600%, including incidents involving deepfake executive voices authorising fraudulent payments.

Growing reliance on connected edge infrastructure has further exposed vessel operations, with attacks targeting routers, firewalls and VPN gateways rising by 800% during 2025.

In one major incident, compromised connectivity infrastructure enabled hackers to disconnect 116 tankers entirely from ship-to-shore communications, creating serious operational, safety and compliance risks.

Industry experts warn that future resilience will depend less on perimeter defence and more on rapid detection as AI-driven threats increasingly originate from inside trusted digital environments.

The Cydome Maritime Cyber Trends Report 2026: What Shipping Executives Need to Know, draws on operational data, incident records and executive commentary from across the global maritime sector, with data and insight from 13 industry leaders, including shipowners and classification societies.