U.S. fuel shortage with East Coast end pipeline restart

As a precautionary measure, the 8,850-kilometer pipeline was closed by a colonial pipeline last weekend following an invasion by Russian hackers. Hackers used ransomware and wanted to find ransom money to release systems. It is not known how much they demanded, but colonialism says it did not want to pay for it.

Petrol over $ 3

This hack is already known as the largest hacking attempt related to energy infrastructure in the United States. The Texas-New York pipeline accounts for half of interstate gasoline, diesel and kerosene supplies. On a typical day, there is a pipeline equivalent to three million barrels of oil a day from the Gulf of Mexico.

The malfunction has caused huge fuel shortages. Many gas stations in North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia do not already have fuel, resulting in long lines where fuel is still sold. At the same time, petrol prices are rising by US standards. A gallon (3.8 liters) now costs more than $ 3.

Extra parking

Air travel is also affected. The Colonial Pipeline serves seven airports, including Atlanta, making it the second busiest airport in the world. Many airlines have to make extra stops to refuel long-haul flights from Atlanta because they can’t bring enough kerosene with them.

The FBI confirmed on Monday that Russian cyber mob Darkside was behind the hack. The hackers made themselves heard a day later. According to them, this was never intended to destabilize society, they were only after money. They added the pledge to choose their goals more carefully from now on.

Suspension Jones Act

Meanwhile, the US government is taking steps to address rising fuel shortages. In addition to the call not to stockpile, the Department of Homeland Security has suspended more than 100 years of Merchant Maritime Act to guarantee goods delivered from the Gulf after Mexico.

Named after U.S. Senator Wesley Jones, the Jones Act prohibits companies from using ships that are not built in the United States and are not fitted with a US crew between U.S. ports. The exception applies to an individual company. It is not known which company.