THE Port of Los Angeles (POLA) is now working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) cyber-crime team to prevent attacks and improve cyber-security at the world's busiest port where cyber-attacks have nearly doubled since the start of the Covid pandemic.

The number of monthly attacks targeting the POLA is now around 40 million, the port's executive director Gene Seroka said, according to the BBC.

Los Angeles is the busiest port in the western hemisphere, handling more than US$250 billion 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 BBC'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 has invested millions of dollars in cyber-protection, developing one of the world's first Cyber Resilience Centres, which is part of the FBI.

"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.