The LNG carrier Vivit Africa LNG has diverted from its planned destination in Italy after its crew reported losing access to internal control systems in what they suspect was a cyberattack.
The Liberia-flagged vessel had loaded its cargo at the Cameron LNG terminal in Louisiana and was sailing towards the Adriatic earlier this month. After encountering the systems failure, the tanker idled off the Italian coast without discharging its cargo.
MV Vivit Africa LNG subsequently abandoned its planned call at the Adriatic LNG terminal near Rovigo and began sailing west towards Algeciras, according to vessel-tracking data.
Сrew members alleged that attackers initially targeted the vessel’s control systems and later gained temporary control of steam pressure and safety valve systems while the tanker was transiting the Strait of Gibraltar.
They further claimed that tank pressure controls, pressure relief valves and the boil-off gas management cycle were disrupted in the Adriatic. According to the crew, the alleged interference created a risk of excessive pressure in the LNG tanks.
The claims have not been independently verified. The Italian Coast Guard described the incident more cautiously, saying the master had reported a malfunction affecting systems used to monitor cargo parameters and that company technicians were required to intervene. The cause of the malfunction could not be established.
The Coast Guard issued a navigation warning instructing other vessels to keep clear of the tanker while the problem was being addressed.
