A U.S. Congressional investigation of a Chinese-made cargo crane uncovered suspicious technology that could be used to interfere with or spy on U.S. commercial activities, according to a report.
The House Homeland Security Committee announced that it had discovered a cellular modem installed on a crane that could be accessed remotely by hostile forces. According to the Wall Street Journal.
The committee’s findings raise concerns in the Biden administration that cranes made by Chinese company Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC) could be used to spy on U.S. ports.
The magazine said more than a dozen cellular modems were found on Chinese-made cranes used at several U.S. ports.
Some of the modems were used for operational functions such as remote maintenance monitoring and tracking, while others were installed even though the ports being used did not require them.
Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said China has “gathered valuable intelligence by systematically infiltrating critical U.S. infrastructure, including the maritime sector.” “We are looking for every opportunity to position ourselves to exploit vulnerabilities.” , Said.
“The United States has clearly ignored this threat for far too long.”
About 80% of the giant cranes used in the United States to lift cargo from ships and transport them to American docks are made in China and are remotely operated, said Adm. John Bunn, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Command.
That makes them vulnerable, he says.
“By design, these cranes can be controlled, maintained and programmed remotely,” Vann said. Newsweek magazine February issue.
“These features allow Chinese cranes to be exploited.”
The Biden administration last month announced plans to invest billions of dollars in domestic manufacturing of cargo cranes.
The administration has committed to investing more than $20 billion over the next five years, which will go towards port security and domestic cargo crane production.
The money will come from the bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure bill signed into law in 2021.
Biden administration officials said the American-made cranes will be produced by a U.S. subsidiary of Japanese multinational Mitsui.
“We felt there was a real strategic risk here,” said Anne Neuberger, deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies. told the Wall Street Journal.
“These cranes essentially move large containers into and out of ports, so if they were to be compromised by a criminal attack or rented or operated by an adversary, they could threaten the movement of goods for our economy and our nation. could have a significant impact on the economy of the “movement of military supplies through the port.” ”
Last month, President Joe Biden signed an executive order creating federal regulations aimed at making the nation’s ports more secure from potential cyberattacks.
The government has outlined a set of cybersecurity regulations that port operators will have to comply with across the country, which are a combination of standardized safety regulations aimed at preventing injury and damage to people and infrastructure. The same is true.
China is perceived as a threat to national security not only within the government but also by members of Congress.
Citing potential national security risks, the Biden administration announced last month that it would investigate Chinese-made “smart cars” that can collect sensitive information about Americans’ driving.
The investigation could lead to new regulations aimed at preventing China from using advanced technology in electric cars and other so-called connected vehicles to track drivers and their personal information.
Officials are concerned that features such as driver-assistance technology could be used to effectively spy on Americans.
The newspaper has contacted the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., for comment.
An embassy spokesperson told the Journal that claims by U.S. officials about the national security risks posed by Chinese-made cargo cranes are “completely paranoid,” calling them “national powers to disrupt normal economic and trade cooperation.” “It’s tantamount to abuse,” he said. ”
with post wire
