Cyberattack Paralyzes North Carolina Ports

North Carolina port authorities confirmed a cyberattack that disrupted IT systems and slowed operations at key logistics hubs in the state. The attack targeted the Wilmington and Morehead City seaports, as well as the inland port of Charlotte, which handle a significant portion of regional cargo shipments.

The incident was detected on August 4, prompting the administration to activate its cyber threat response plan. Recovery efforts began the following morning, but the attack caused widespread disruptions, forcing ports to temporarily operate on reduced schedules. This led to delays in container processing and freight transportation.

Wilmington Port, the largest of the three affected facilities, processes up to 600,000 TEU containers annually and handles around 5,000 cargo operations per week. Together with Morehead City, these ports handle 4.4 million short tons of bulk and general cargo annually. As of publication, authorities have not disclosed whether sensitive data was stolen or which group was responsible for the attack.

As of August 7, port operations are gradually recovering, though cargo processing delays persist. The IT team continues to assess the damage and restore affected systems. Vessel operations have resumed on schedule, but customers are advised to account for potential delays.