Port Metro Vancouver and Ottawa assessing whether Chinese-built port cranes pose security risk: B.C. Premier

to assess whether massive cargo cranes operating in several Canadian ports pose a national-security risk, after an American congressional investigation uncovered hidden modems installed on the Shanghai-built machines.earlier this month that it had found that Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. , which made about 80 per cent of the ship-to-shore cranes operating across American ports, had installed the communications devices that “do not contribute to the operation” of the cranes.

Hicham Ayoun, senior spokesperson for Transport Canada, declined to say whether the country has launched its own probe into potential risks posed by these cranes. Instead, his one-sentence statement noted the agency works with security agencies and stakeholders, “including those in the United States, to identify and mitigate security threats to Canada’s marine transportation system.”

He added: “This is not an area of provincial jurisdiction but I certainly encourage the port and the federal government to act quickly to ensure cranes in British Columbia are not affected by this.” Michael Chong, the federal Conservative foreign affairs critic, also declined an interview request but sent a statement saying Ottawa has failed to protect Canada’s national security from foreign threats, including at ports.risk to any port” and maintaining it always strictly adheres to the laws and regulations of the countries in which its machines work.

The company added that each component of these cranes goes through a rigorous assessment and testing process before and after it arrives at their terminals. GCT also noted that it does not use ZMPC’s own software to use the cranes in question, instead opting for Swedish and North American providers of this technology.

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Vancouver lithium company announces investor interest from China, despite Ottawa’s warningsVancouver-based Lithium Americas Argentina Corp. says it has attracted a US$70-million investment from China-based Ganfeng Lithium, that would see it take a 15-per-cent stake in its Pastos Grandes project
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

Champagne to speak at Ottawa Mayor’s Breakfast on Feb. 27 at Ottawa City HallThe Hill Times
Source: TheHillTimes - 🏆 11. / 79 Read more »

It’s Official: Gin is Definitely (Still) In - Vancouver MagazineVancouver Cocktail Week Vancouver shines a spotlight on the city’s best booze, bars, and bartenders.
Source: vanmag_com - 🏆 55. / 59 Read more »

Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko out 'week-to-week' with lower-body injuryVANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks say Thatcher Demko will be out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.
Source: BurnabyNOW_News - 🏆 14. / 77 Read more »

Politicians want more competition but supply management still a 'sacred cow'OTTAWA — There aren't many issues that garner support across party lines in Ottawa these days.
Source: timescolonist - 🏆 15. / 75 Read more »

B.C. man pleads guilty to Metro Vancouver charges, including impersonationRafael Ronny Garcia was charged for alleged offences in Vancouver, Richmond, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Burnaby and Surrey.
Source: BurnabyNOW_News - 🏆 14. / 77 Read more »