President Biden issued on February 21 an executive order that expands the Coast Guard’s authority to address cybersecurity issues in ports, and specifically cybersecurity and espionage using Chinese-made cranes used in US ports. These cranes, so it is claimed, collect data and can be controlled remotely, which the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry dismissed as “absurd.”
About 80% of port cranes in the United States are made by the Chinese state-owned company Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. (ZPMC), which is the world’s largest manufacturer of port cranes, used for unloading and loading containers. Its global market share is about 70%, and if anyone has any doubt, ZPMC cranes are also positioned in Israel in the Gulf Port in Haifa and the South Port in Ashdod.
Biden wasn’t satisfied with toughening cyber checks for cranes. Similar to the move made in connection with chips, the president also allocated an amount of over $20 billion dollars over the next five years, in part, to support the local production of cranes. The problem is that the United States does not have the manufacturing capacity for cranes, and the other foreign alternatives are significantly more expensive. Meanwhile, foreign crane companies (such as in Japan) operating in the United States are hoping to win a large portion of the new allocation. And what will be done with the cranes that already exist in the ports? According to the US Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies, the administration has no intention of ordering their replacement now.
It is important to note that until now, the American security forces have not detailed any cases of cranes being used for purposes beyond their intended function, and all cranes undergo comprehensive tests before being used. At the same time, it is important for Israel to follow what is happening in the United States in this context, in order to adapt to changes in the requirements of the US administration, if they occur.
President Biden issued on February 21 an executive order that expands the Coast Guard’s authority to address cybersecurity issues in ports, and specifically cybersecurity and espionage using Chinese-made cranes used in US ports. These cranes, so it is claimed, collect data and can be controlled remotely, which the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry dismissed as “absurd.”
About 80% of port cranes in the United States are made by the Chinese state-owned company Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. (ZPMC), which is the world’s largest manufacturer of port cranes, used for unloading and loading containers. Its global market share is about 70%, and if anyone has any doubt, ZPMC cranes are also positioned in Israel in the Gulf Port in Haifa and the South Port in Ashdod.
Biden wasn’t satisfied with toughening cyber checks for cranes. Similar to the move made in connection with chips, the president also allocated an amount of over $20 billion dollars over the next five years, in part, to support the local production of cranes. The problem is that the United States does not have the manufacturing capacity for cranes, and the other foreign alternatives are significantly more expensive. Meanwhile, foreign crane companies (such as in Japan) operating in the United States are hoping to win a large portion of the new allocation. And what will be done with the cranes that already exist in the ports? According to the US Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies, the administration has no intention of ordering their replacement now.
It is important to note that until now, the American security forces have not detailed any cases of cranes being used for purposes beyond their intended function, and all cranes undergo comprehensive tests before being used. At the same time, it is important for Israel to follow what is happening in the United States in this context, in order to adapt to changes in the requirements of the US administration, if they occur.