Congressional Report Reveals Espionage Risk from Chinese Cargo Cranes at U.S. Ports, 80% of Cranes Affected

Sep 12, 2024, 03:40 PM

A yearlong congressional investigation has revealed that Chinese cargo cranes used at U.S. seaports contain embedded technology that makes them vulnerable to espionage and disruption. The investigation, led by the House Homeland Security Committee and the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, found that these cranes, which make up roughly 80% of seaport cranes in the U.S., could allow Beijing to covertly gain access to the machines. The report highlights the national security risk posed by these cranes, emphasizing the potential threats to U.S. port infrastructure. ZPMC, a Chinese manufacturer, has been identified as a key player, with the company repeatedly asking port operators for remote access to cranes and insisting on integrating other vendors' components in China. The committees, chaired by RepMarkGreen, RepMoolenaar, and RepCarlos, have called attention to the growing reliance on Chinese-provided cargo cranes, describing the situation as 'dangerously reliant.'