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Maersk Line accepting bookings again via INTTRA after cyber-attack

Maersk Line accepting bookings again via INTTRA after cyber-attack
Maersk Line has restored the ability of customers to book cargo on its vessels via third party provider INTTRA.

The world's largest container line had been unable to take new bookings after its IT systems were globally by the Petyu ransomware virus.

Maersk Line said on Twitter of Wednesday evening that it was now able to accept bookings via INTTRA, with the caveat that the customer had to have an existing account with the e-commerce provider. It added that booking confirmation was taking a “little longer than normal”. Forwarding giant Kuehne & Nagel tweeted early on Thursday morning that it could now place bookings again with Maersk Line.

The cyber-attack has hit the shipping line worldwide with it shutting down a number of IT systems including those it uses to communicate with its customers and business partners. Reports from New Zealand indicated the line was using handwritten communication with ports as well as gmail accounts with customers.

The company's vessels remained in operation. “All Maersk Line vessels continue to be under control, employees are safe and communication to crew and management onboard is functioning,” parent AP Moller-Maersk said..

Issues at some ports with facilities run by APM Terminals were still being worked on.

“The majority of our terminals are now operational. Some of these terminals are operating slower than usual or with limited functionality. APM Terminals continue to work towards full restoration of its IT systems.”

The full scale of the cyber-attack on Maersk globally remains unclear.

“We continue to assess the situation. Until this analysis is complete, we cannot be specific about how many sites and locations are affected or when normal business operations are restored. The aggregate impact on our business is being assessed,” Maersk said.

“Our focus is on ensuring the best business continuity possible for our customers and business partners. We are collaborating with IT experts including national cyber-crime agencies and IT industry leaders, to reinstate services safely and without further disruption.”

The cyber-attack has also impacted the group's logistics arm Damco. “Damco has limited access to certain systems. A business continuity plan has been deployed with a key focus on protecting customers’ cargo flows,” it said.