DP World Australia, responsible for managing nearly half of the country’s goods flow, has suspended port operations in multiple states since Friday due to a significant cybersecurity breach. The company is investigating potential data breaches and assessing essential systems for the restoration of normal operations and freight movement.
The cyber attack has resulted in the cessation of container terminal operations in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Western Australia’s Fremantle since Friday. Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil emphasized the severity of the incident on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, “The cyber incident at DP World is serious and ongoing.”
DP World, a key player in Australia’s stevedore industry and part of Dubai’s state-owned DP World, has not provided a timeline for the resumption of normal operations, as per a Reuters request for comment.
The Australian Federal Police are actively investigating the cyber incident, though details remain undisclosed. National Cyber Security Coordinator Darren Goldie, appointed earlier this year, anticipates the “interruption” to persist for several days, impacting the movement of goods in and out of the country.
DP World operates in 18 locations across the Asia-Pacific region, employing over 7,000 people. The incident raises concerns about the broader implications on regional trade and security.
