Large, modern container crane systems made in the USA are very expensive and quite rare, but every up-and-coming port needs them. Unless, of course, they come from China. There, these cranes are built en masse, packed with locally manufactured electronics and then offered worldwide at unbeatable prices with a market share of 70%. Video-supported functions enable efficient handling processes - time spent in port is expensive time.
No doubt without ulterior motives
What had probably never been questioned before, however, were such unpatriotic doubts as: Who has access to the stored video streams and what external intervention is possible for the most important electronic switching elements of these complex high-tech devices? From a high vantage point, the many installed cameras can be used to view the entire coded harbour operations (including military-loaded containers) and track them container by container. And it only takes a single software-controlled switch to completely paralyse cargo handling. What if an address in Shanghai or Chengdu that was programmed in when the crane was built has undetected access to these harbour images, or a previously read-in signal from Beijing puts the container gantry cranes "out of action" one by one at the right time? Such a process has not yet been recognised, which does not mean that it is possible in principle. And if something is possible, then it will be utilised. Honesty is an individual virtue!
Container Terminal Tollerort, Photo: HHLA/Raetzke
There could be something to it
The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) had already pointed out these potential gateways for enemy intentions in 2021. Since then, we have probably only been observing. But now wThe US government has issued a clear warning and is calling for a military-funded investigation into 80% ship-to-shore cranes in US harbours by the end of the year. They have all been recognised by ZPMC (Zhenhua Port Machinery Company, now Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company Limited) They use exclusively Chinese software and are also maintained by Chinese engineers with a two-year residence permit in the USA. Perfect - that's what a Chinese intelligence officer would say! After Huawei and TikTok, ZPMC is now on the index. Chinese representatives in Washington are now loudly complaining about American paranoia and Western China-bashing. Gotcha!
Hand on heart - what is the situation in Europe?
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