Maersk hackers disrupt ocean shipping

A few days after having reported its computer systems had been hacked, shipping-logistics firm A.P. Moller-Maersk announced it expected to return to “a close to normal environment” by July 3.

The company said it was making progress toward recovery but it would not restore all applications and work stations until after July 3.

Cargo was being moved in and out of ports “almost everywhere around the world,” and nearly all ports in APM Terminals network were operational. Service had been restarted at terminals in Algeciras, Spain; Tangier, Morocco; Callao and Lima, Peru; Mumbai, India; Itajai and Buenos Aires, Brazil.

Information on particular terminals is at http://www.maersk.com/operationalupdate. Moller-Maesk is updating the site as new information comes in.

Moller-Maersk reported its system had been attacked June 27. The company said all bookings made before the incident, as well as all data related to the bookings, were secure. For bookings that were confirmed, equipment was to be released as normal.

New bookings, for dry and reefer shipments, can be placed via the INTTRA booking platform, following normal procedures, the company said.

Bookings still can be sent through EDI and will be held and will be batch-confirmed early the week of July 3, Moller-Maersk said.

The company recently opened a simplified online booking form, accessible via its websites. The link has been authenticated and cleared by security, and the tool is isolated from Moller-Maersk’s network to avoid risk to clients. Online bookings will be processed once the company’s systems are restored, according to a release.

Moller-Maersk said it does have limitations to receive bookings for some “dangerous goods categories.”

Rates issued prior to the system outage still stand, and no rate increases will be issued until systems are restored, the company said.