Chinese hackers targeted shipping in at least seven EU countries, cyber agency reports
The China-based Mustang Panda group represents a "significant threat" to EU organizations, the ENISA said.
Chinese hacking group Mustang Panda targeted shipping companies in at least seven EU countries in 2025, according to the EU's cyber agency. The attacks, part of a sustained campaign, focused on spying and strategic intelligence gathering. The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) reported the incidents in its annual cybersecurity threat assessment.
Mustang Panda, believed to be backed by the Chinese government, has been a significant threat to EU organizations due to its advanced capabilities. The hacking group had previously targeted EU diplomatic missions in 2022 and Russian defense and aerospace firms in the past year. Shipping, a vital industry, is particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks that could disrupt global trade.
China's interest in Western shipping companies has grown as maritime routes worldwide become more challenging. ENISA highlighted the maritime sector as being in the "risk zone." The cyber agency emphasized that targeting transport, including maritime, and logistics is of particular interest due to economic and political considerations, especially in the context of ongoing geopolitical developments.
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