Congressional letter: China implanted mystery devices on US cranes, enabling remote control

A congressional letter recently raised concerns about mysterious devices believed to have been planted by China on container cranes in U.S. ports, potentially allowing remote control of the equipment. Top Republicans from various House committees highlighted the discovery of several cellular modems found on ship-to-shore cranes, which are used for unloading at major ports across the country. These cranes were manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries, or ZPMC, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Co., which is a state-owned entity. The lawmakers expressed concern about the purpose of these modems, emphasizing they serve no apparent function in crane operation or maritime infrastructure. They also point out the proximity of ZPMC's manufacturing facility to China's advanced shipyard, raising concerns about possible exploitation by Chinese military and intelligence agencies. U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Vann confirms over 200 China-made cranes operating in U.S. ports, with cyber-protection teams assessing cybersecurity on some of them. The investigation, prompted by the discovery of Chinese malware on port-related infrastructure, suggests potential risks associated with CCP's influence over ZPMC. Retired Army Col. John Mills also underscores the risk of these cranes being used in cyber attacks, advocating for domestic manufacturing to mitigate this threat.