National Cyber Security Coordinator visits Mumbai port terminal

National Cyber Security Coordinator Gulshan Rai on Thursday visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) a day after one of the terminals was hit by a global cyber attack, to restore the operations.

According to the Shipping Ministry, the government authorities at JNPT are working closely with affected terminal handlers -- AP Moller Maersk team to extend all possible assistance in restoration of their operations.

"Additional parking space has been made available to avoid congestion and clogging of cargos. JNPT authorities and DP World operating the other terminals have extended berthing facility to APMT bound vessels during the period of contingency," said the statement.

The Shipping Ministry on Wednesday confirmed the operations at one of the container terminals at Mumbai's Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) port were impacted due to a global cyber attack.

JNPT handles container traffic through four terminals. One of the terminals (GTI) is operated by APM Moller Maersk, a Danish company with headquarters at Copenhagen.

Two other terminals - NSICT and NSIGT, are operated by DP World and the fourth terminal JNPCT is operated directly by JNPT.

"The central IT infrastructure of AP Moller Maersk installed at Hague has been affected by a cyber attack on June 27 or 28. As a consequence, the IT infrastructure of the GTI terminal at JNPT which is installed, managed and operated by AP Moller Maersk, also got affected and the APM management had to shut down their IT infrastructure at JNPT," said the statement.

The other three container terminals at JNPT are working with full efficiency and performance.

The Shipping Ministry said that IT infrastructure of Customs and Excise authority handling operations at JNPT is also working normally with full capacity.

"The authorities of JNPT as well as Customs and Excise have taken all necessary steps to enhance the resilience and security of their IT infrastructure with respect to Cyber security," said the statement.

The ministry further said that the Pipavav terminal, ICD Dadri and CFS Nhava Sheva managed by the APM group have also been affected by the cyber attack on the infrastructure.

"The IT Team of AP Moller Maersk together with the IT companies in the country are working to restore the IT infrastructure at the earliest and resume cargo operations, however restoration of their infrastructure is linked with restoration of their global IT systems," said the statement.

--IANS

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