The US port of San Diego was hit by a ransomware attack late last month. A statement from the port claims that the malware had infiltrated its computer network and was disrupting administration systems but that no ship or nor members of the public were in danger. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have helped the Port to investigate.

The organisation did not say which malware was used in the attack but added that payment was being demanded in Bitcoins by the hackers behind the outbreak.

The Port is just one of latest shipping-related industries that have been hit by ransomware. In July, a shipping terminal in Long Beach, California was briefly closed by a malware attack. Last year, Maersk was a victim of the NotPetya virus: its business was affected for a couple of weeks with estimates that it cost the company about £153m.