Although it is too early to say for sure that this was a coordinated cyber-attack. The chances of it happening on multiple vessels, in the same region, simultaneously and whilst the MV Asphalt Princess was being hijacked at the same time, coincidence seems extremely unlikely.
Ships do suffer from loss of steering due to mechanical or electrical issues from time to time, but for it to happen on multiple vessels at the same time would be statistically almost impossible.
In the event of a loss of steering or propulsion on a vessel, the normal practice in the best-case scenario would be to stop the engine and drift until the issue has been resolved. This is always going to come with inherent risks, depending on where the vessel is sailing.
In deep sea regions, the risks would be minimal. However, in the crowded waters of the Straits of Hormuz, it is an entirely different story. Almost 20% of the worlds maritime oil supplies passes through this confined region annually.
Most of the vessels transiting these waters are carrying oil and other liquid cargoes. Tankers…
