AAPA Says No Known Security Threats From Chinese Cranes at US Ports

There have been no known security breaches from Chinese-made cranes at U.S. ports, the American Association of Port Authorities said in a news release March 8. The statement came in response to a Wall Street Journal report that some U.S. officials were concerned that Chinese-made cranes, specifically cranes from Chinese company ZPMC, could be a spying tool for the Chinese government and a way for the Chinese government to disrupt the flow of goods. ZPMC now makes 80% of ship-to-shore cranes at U.S. ports, a U.S. official said, according to the report.

The AAPA explained that despite their sophistication, modern cranes "can't track the origin, destination, or nature of the cargo." The AAFA also has "trip wires" -- such as a Technical Committee on Security and Safety -- to detect anything that could threaten port operations, and partners with government authorities to assess potential security risks to their ports, the port association said. "Our indelible partnerships with the government have led to identifying the real threats," the statement read. The AAPA said that removing the ZPMC cranes from ports without replacements would "harm U.S. supply chains, jack up prices for everyone, and exacerbate inflation even further."

The AAPA also pushed for "reshoring tools to bolster the manufacturing of critical equipment," so that U.S. ports do not have to rely on Chinese goods as much. "Just picture American factories churning out world-class, connected, low-emissions, and user-friendly cranes, trucks, and tractors. That’s the opportunity we have here," AAPA Vice President Cary Davis said in the statement. The AAPA said it soon will unveil legislation that will help the U.S. boost production of port equipment.