Dutch companies still struggling with ransomware attack; millions in damages expected
The companies in the Netherlands that were hit in the global ransomware attack on Tuesday, are still struggling with the consequences. By Wednesday night containers were still stuck at APM in the port of Rotterdam and thousands of packages were in limbo at TNT sorting centers, according to RTL Nieuws. The damages are estimated in the millions of euros.
APM's terminal, where ships are loaded and unloaded, was still dead quiet by Wednesday evening. Behind the scenes the company is trying to find ways of working without their computers, a spokesperson of the Rotterdam branch said to RTL. A number of WhatsApp groups and Gmail accounts were quickly created for alternative forms of communications.
Ships with tens of thousands of containers are waiting. The company is still investigating what the financial consequences of this day of lost business will be. Parent company Maersk's website states that the computer systems are down, but that the problems are "isolated" - the malware can't spread further with the company.
Courier service TNT Express were also still having problems, and it had a knock-on effect on clients like CheapCargo.com. According to RTL, some 10 thousand packages are stuck in a waiting center in Liege. TNT can not estimate the damages, or how long the problems will persist. A statement released by the company states that customers may experience delays for a few days, especially those outside the European Union, though TNT Express wanted a resolution by Wednesday night.
Raab Karcher, a construction material supplier, was also hit. The company is desperately looking for solutions, director Erik Snijer said to RTL, but he couldn't say when one will be found. The infected computers were taken offline, to stop the spread of the virus. Customers can pick up supplies. "It is a difficult situation, but we are reaching a solution", Snijer said. "It will cost a lot of money, but the files are luckily not gone, so the orders are still in the system."
