The Nagoya Port Authority says a glitch occurred in the computer system that manages container loading, unloading and transport at all five container terminals early on Tuesday.

The Nagoya Harbor Transportation Association says the hacker group LockBit 3.0 has made a ransom demand in exchange for returning control.

The association is working to restore the system and says it hopes to resume normal operations on Thursday.

Weary drivers waiting in line

Long lines of trucks can be seen at the port as drivers wait for operations to resume. Many are growing increasingly frustrated.

Long lines of trucks formed at the port.

One said he has been waiting since 6:30 a.m. as the association had initially hoped to restore the system by 8:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Another bemoaned the delays, saying it isn't even possible to go to bathroom.

Others called for effective countermeasures to stop cyberattacks causing disruption again.

Expert warns of impact on supply chains

Shibasaki Ryuichi, an expert on shipping and logistics and Associate Professor of the University of Tokyo Graduate School, warns of possible substantial economic damage.

"If the system is restored within a few days, there will probably be no substantial damage," he said. "But if the port's functions remain suspended for a longer period, supply chains could be affected."

Shibasaki urged the operator to strengthen security to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, as the issue could lead to a major impact on the economy in the central part of the country.

Shipping and logistics expert Shibasaki Ryuichi described the situation as 'very serious' and 'unusual.'

Operator under pressure to find fix

Kikukawa Koshin, senior managing director at the Nagoya Port Transport Association, says it has been fielding requests for a rapid solution as the backlog continues to build up.

Close to 20,000 containers are believed to have been affected by Thursday.

"It is a serious situation," said Kikukawa. "We are making every effort to restore the system."

The line of trucks stretched for several kilometers on Thursday afternoon.