Cyberattack Disrupts North Carolina Ports, Forces Manual Operations

Summary

North Carolina Ports said a cyberattack affecting Wilmington, Morehead City and Charlotte was contained. The ports shifted to manual processing, with delays expected as outside forensics teams help assess and restore systems; no group claimed responsibility.

Key points

• A North Carolina Ports spokesperson said an outside actor or group hacked the IT system, prompting a contingency plan.
• Wilmington, Morehead City and Charlotte shifted to manual processing; officials said operations were on a normal schedule, but delays were expected.
• The ports said the breach was contained and systems were being restored with help from an outside forensics team.
• The spokesperson did not say whether the incident involved ransomware, and no hacking group had claimed responsibility.
• The ports contacted state agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard in response.