ZPMC-made cranes pose no cybersecurity threat, says company

Cranes made by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC) pose no cybersecurity risk to any port, stated the Shanghai-based company in an announcement released on March 10.

ZPMC said the announcement was issued in response to the recent actions taken by the US government based on cybersecurity concerns at US ports, as well as relevant media reports claiming that the company's cranes have "cellular modems" installed on them.

"ZPMC takes the US concerns seriously and believes that these reports can easily mislead the public without sufficient factual review," said the company in the announcement. "The cranes provided by ZPMC do not pose a cybersecurity risk to any port."

ZPMC has always strictly abided by the laws and regulations of relevant countries and regions, and operated in compliance with the law on this basis, continued the Shanghai-based crane maker in the announcement.

"Cranes supplied by ZPMC are used in ports around the world, including the United States. These cranes are designed, manufactured, transported, installed and commissioned, and delivered after acceptance in strict accordance with international standards, applicable laws and regulations, and technical specifications determined by customers," it said.

ZPMC will continue to strictly abide by applicable laws, regulations and regulatory requirements to safeguard the company's business with global customers and achieve mutual benefit and development, concluded the announcement.

Last month, US President Joe Biden's administration announced a $20 billion investment to build more ship-to-shore cranes in the US, citing concerns that Chinese-made cranes pose potential risks to US national security. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal earlier, a US congressional investigation found some cranes made by ZPMC carry cellular modems, which might offer a potential backdoor for remote access and serve as a part of an espionage plot.

In response, at a regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Feb 23, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that "the so-called data collection by China's remotely controlled port cranes is completely nonsense".

"China firmly opposes the United States' generalization of the concept of national security, abuse of state power, and unreasonable suppression of Chinese products and companies," Mao said. "Toolizing and weaponizing economic and trade issues will only intensify the security risks of the global production and supply chain, ultimately harming others and ourselves."

Mao expressed hope that the US could effectively respect the principles of market economy and fair competition and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese enterprises to operate.

"China will also continue to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its own enterprises," said the spokeswoman.