91Èȱ¬

Cyber-attacks on one of the world's busiest ports have nearly doubled since the start of the Covid pandemic.

The number of monthly attacks targeting the Port of Los Angeles is now around 40 million, the port's executive director Gene Seroka told the 91Èȱ¬.

Los Angeles is the busiest port in the western hemisphere, handling more than $250bn (£210bn) of cargo every year.

The threats are believed to come mainly from Europe and Russia, and aim to disrupt the US economy, Mr Seroka said.

"Our intelligence shows the threats are coming from Russia and parts of Europe. We have to stay steps ahead of those who want to hurt international commerce," he told the 91Èȱ¬'s World Service.

Seaports move billions of dollars in goods every year, making them a unique target for cyber-criminals.

They face daily ransomware, malware, spear phishing and credential harvesting attacks, with the aim of causing as much disruption as possible and slowing down economies.

The Port of Los Angeles Cyber Operations Security Centre, operating since 2015 is part of an overall network of FBI cyberwatch programs.

In addition to that the Port of Los Angeles has invested millions of dollars in cyber-protection, developing one of the world's first Cyber Resilience Centres.

"We must take every precaution against potential cyber-incidents, particularly those that could threaten or disrupt the flow of cargo," said Mr Seroka.

The Cyber Resilience Centre provides enhanced intelligence gathering and heightened protection against cyber-threats within the maritime supply chain.

It is a hub for the port to receive, analyse and share information with those who operate on the dock, such as cargo handlers and shipping lines.

During the pandemic global supply chains slowed down as lockdowns closed factories and workers were forced to stay at home.

The strain on supply chains has since eased, Mr Seroka said. In January 2022 there were 109 container ships queuing for more than two days to get into the Port of Los Angeles. Today there are around 20 waiting to dock.

But Mr Seroka believes the blockages won't clear completely until 2023. "There's so much cargo coming in and not enough space," he said.

"The past two years have proven the vital role that ports hold to our nation's critical infrastructure, supply chains and economy. It's paramount we keep the systems as secure as possible," he added.

You can hear more on this story on World Business Report on 91Èȱ¬ World Service at 15:30 BST.