A U.S. Congressional investigation reveals the presence of potentially spying equipment on cranes manufactured by China's ZPMC.

Material handling cranes manufactured by the Chinese company ZPMC are said to be equipped with communication systems that could potentially be used for cyber espionage at cargo ports. This is according to the Wall Street Journal, echoing a US Congressional investigation that uncovered the devices.

This investigation revealed that more than a dozen cellular modems were on crane components used in the Port of Baltimore in Maryland, and another was found in the server room of a second port.

"It's not uncommon for modems to be installed on cranes to remotely monitor operations and track maintenance, but it seems that some ports using cranes manufactured by ZPMC had not requested this capability," explains the American daily.

Lawmakers said ZPMC had repeatedly operated remote access to cranes and other U.S.-based marine infrastructure.

"The discovery is likely to give impetus to White House efforts to replace cranes with U.S.-made equipment and technology, as called for in a recent maritime safety directive," adds the Wall Street Journal.

While this information adds fuel to the political and economic conflict between the USA and China, and reinforces American protectionism, it also raises questions about the probity of the Chinese manufacturer of the gantry cranes that equip many French ports.

RENAUD CHASLE