Petya ransomware attack: Govt, JNPT set out to contain port damage

The Ministry of Shipping and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) have got onto the front foot trying to contain the disruption in operations at one of the port terminals in the wake of the latest malware attack.

"It has been informed by the private terminal operator (APM Maersk) that this disruption is a consequence of a worldwide disruption being faced by them because of a cyber attack," the Ministry of Shipping said in a statement today.

While the terminal operator is taking steps to address the issue, it is anticipated that there could be bunching of in-bound and out-bound container cargo, it said.

"The 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," the statement said.

Since the congestion could create difficulties in traffic management, JNPT has opened up its parking lot for cargo marked for this private terminal. Further, CFS (container freight stations) have been advised to hold the cargo in their yards.

A senior shipping ministry official told PTI that they are taking all possible steps to ease traffic congestion arising out of the attack.

The Maersk group confirmed that its operations were hit by the cyber incident. "We can confirm that on Tuesday, June 27, AP Moller-Maersk was hit as part of a cyber attack named Petya, affecting multiple sites and select business units," Maersk said in a tweet.

It said, "We are responding to the situation to contain and limit the impact and uphold operations." The group is "assessing and managing" the situation to minimise the impact on its customers and partners.

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

The government is closely monitoring the situation, which said further steps will be initiated to deal with the traffic situation based on an assessment during the course of the next few days.

Gulshan Rai, National Cyber Security Coordinator, is headed to JNPT to help in firefight operations.