Transnet hit by cyberattack - Operations disrupted nationwide

22 Jul 2021

The Transnet Port Terminals website has been hacked, implying that all companies under Transnet have been affected. All Transnet websites were down at the time when reporting was done for this SA Trucker article. The publication cited sources who requested to remain anonymous because they are not allowed to speak to the media.

Transnet hit by cyberattack - Operations disrupted nationwide

ISS Global Forwarding also announced on Twitter that it received information about Transnet being hacked.

Newsflash: Transnet Systems Offline.

We have received communications that Transnet has been hit by a Cyber Attack and all their systems are currently offline.
We are in communication with the port authority & SAAFF, and will keep you posted. https://t.co/SO2EKYJKw0
— ISS - Global Forwarding South Africa (@ISSGF_sa) July 22, 2021

The South African Association of Freight Forwarders said that the Transnet Freight Rail system was also hacked, bringing operations to a halt nationwide.

�� ALERT! Transnet Freight Rail system hacked bringing operations to a halt nationwide. #Cyberattack

- Transnet Port Terminals' website is down after it has allegedly been hacked. #cybersecurity #infosec #freightforwarding #supplychain #SA https://t.co/WT7Sx3byEc pic.twitter.com/bcsWDWW5gR
— SAAFF (@RSAFreight) July 22, 2021

A source at the Durban port spoke to Reuters, saying: "We were told it's a cyberattack. The terminals can’t work, we can’t load or unload anything. This is going to impact the business badly."

This photo was sent to SA Trucker by a trucker who reported that they are stuck at the Durban Container Terminal, showing Transnet’s kiosks displaying an error message:

Transnet said its freight rail, pipelines, engineering and property divisions were reporting normal activity, Transnet said. This is a developing story.