Between 2011 and 2013, the Port of Antwerp fell victim to a sophisticated cyberattack orchestrated by Belgian hackers linked to a drug cartel. The attackers employed spear-phishing emails with Trojan-laced attachments, targeting port authority employees and shipping firms, while also physically installing keyloggers in offices to steal credentials. Once inside the systems, they manipulated container tracking data altering delivery times and locations to facilitate the undetected smuggling of drug-laden shipments.The breach enabled the cartel to divert containers (primarily carrying cocaine and heroin), resulting in massive illicit trade valued at $365 million, alongside seizures of 1,044 kg of cocaine, 1,099 kg of heroin, firearms, and $1.5 million in cash. The port incurred €200,000 in countermeasure costs, and while authorities eventually intercepted significant drug hauls (including 250 kg of cocaine in a single shipment), the attack exposed critical vulnerabilities in the port’s cybersecurity and operational integrity. The incident led to a dozen arrests but highlighted the severe financial, reputational, and logistical damage caused by the infiltration.
Source: Publishing.
TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/port-of-antwerp-bruges
"id": "por908092125",
"linkid": "port-of-antwerp-bruges",
"type": "Cyber Attack",
"date": "6/2011",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "6",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the economy of geographical region"{'affected_entities': [{'industry': 'logistics/transportation',
'location': 'Antwerp, Belgium',
'name': 'Port of Antwerp',
'type': 'port authority'},
{'industry': 'logistics/transportation',
'location': 'Rotterdam, Netherlands',
'name': 'Port of Rotterdam',
'type': 'port authority'},
{'industry': 'shipping/logistics',
'location': ['Belgium', 'Netherlands'],
'name': 'Unspecified shipping companies',
'type': 'private sector'}],
'attack_vector': ['spear phishing',
'Trojan malware',
'physical intrusion (keyloggers)',
'credential theft'],
'data_breach': {'data_exfiltration': 'Yes (for container rerouting)',
'sensitivity_of_data': 'High (operational/logistical '
'integrity)',
'type_of_data_compromised': ['container tracking data',
'logistics schedules',
'authentication credentials']},
'date_resolved': '2013',
'description': 'Between 2011 and 2013, Belgian hackers working for a drug '
'cartel compromised the Port of Antwerp and Port of Rotterdam. '
'The attackers used spear-phishing emails with Trojan '
'attachments and installed keylogging devices in offices to '
'gain unauthorized access. They manipulated container tracking '
'systems to reroute drug-laden containers, leading to the '
'disappearance of containers and significant seizures of '
'illicit drugs (1044 kg cocaine, 1099 kg heroin), firearms, '
'and cash (~$365M in contraband, ~$1.5M in cash). The port '
'incurred €200,000 in countermeasure costs, and a dozen '
'suspects were arrested.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': ['loss of trust in port security',
'media coverage of drug-related '
'breaches'],
'data_compromised': ['container tracking data',
'delivery schedules',
'location data'],
'financial_loss': '€200,000 (countermeasures) + ~$365M (seized '
'contraband) + ~$1.5M (seized cash)',
'legal_liabilities': ['criminal investigations',
'arrests of suspects'],
'operational_impact': ['disappearing containers',
'compromised logistics integrity',
'law enforcement interventions'],
'systems_affected': ['container terminal management systems',
'port authority networks',
'shipping company systems']},
'initial_access_broker': {'backdoors_established': 'Yes (Trojan malware, '
'keyloggers)',
'entry_point': ['spear-phishing emails',
'physical keylogger installation'],
'high_value_targets': ['container tracking systems',
'port authority credentials'],
'reconnaissance_period': '2011–2013 (multi-year)'},
'investigation_status': 'Closed (suspects arrested, contraband seized)',
'lessons_learned': ['Physical security is critical for cybersecurity',
'Spear-phishing remains a high-risk vector',
'Logistics systems are prime targets for organized crime',
'Need for cross-border law enforcement collaboration'],
'motivation': ['financial gain (drug trafficking)',
'operational disruption (container rerouting)'],
'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': ['€200,000 invested in '
'countermeasures',
'Law enforcement crackdown '
'on cartel operations',
'Implied security upgrades '
'(details undisclosed)'],
'root_causes': ['Inadequate phishing defenses',
'Lack of physical security for '
'workstations',
'Over-reliance on static '
'credentials',
'Poor segmentation of logistics '
'systems']},
'recommendations': ['Implement multi-factor authentication for critical '
'systems',
'Enhance physical security (e.g., tamper-evident seals, '
'surveillance)',
'Conduct regular phishing awareness training',
'Monitor dark web for stolen credentials/logistics data',
'Segment networks to limit lateral movement'],
'references': [{'source': 'Various news reports (e.g., BBC, The Guardian)'}],
'regulatory_compliance': {'legal_actions': ['criminal prosecutions',
'asset seizures']},
'response': {'containment_measures': ['seizure of drugs/contraband',
'arrest of suspects'],
'incident_response_plan_activated': 'Yes (law enforcement '
'intervention)',
'law_enforcement_notified': 'Yes (Belgian/Dutch authorities)',
'remediation_measures': ['€200,000 spent on countermeasures',
'enhanced physical/cybersecurity '
'(implied)']},
'threat_actor': ['Belgian hackers', 'drug cartel'],
'title': 'Port of Antwerp and Rotterdam Cyber Attack by Drug Cartel '
'(2011-2013)',
'type': ['cybercrime',
'hacking',
'insider threat (physical access)',
'supply chain attack'],
'vulnerability_exploited': ['human error (phishing susceptibility)',
'lack of physical security',
'weak authentication mechanisms']}