Port Crane Security and Inspection Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 1165
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 1165Transportation and Public Works
Port Crane Security and Inspection Act of 2025
INTRO FEB 10· LAST ACTION FEB 10
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
8
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it directly addresses national security and economic stability. Modern port cranes are increasingly controlled by sophisticated software and can be connected to the internet, making them potential targets for cyberattacks or espionage by foreign adversaries. Such an attack could disrupt critical supply chains, impacting everything from consumer goods to military logistics, leading to higher prices, delays, or even national security vulnerabilities.
If this bill becomes law, it aims to reduce these risks by preventing potentially compromised equipment from being used and removing existing threats. If it doesn't become law, U.S. ports could remain vulnerable to cyber threats through these vital pieces of equipment, potentially exposing critical infrastructure to foreign interference and undermining the efficiency and security of the nation's trade and defense capabilities.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to inspect new, internet-connected foreign cranes from high-risk countries before they can be used at U.S. ports.
This ensures a proactive security check on new equipment from potentially adversarial sources.
PROVISION 02
Mandates DHS to assess security risks of all existing and newly constructed foreign cranes and to take any threatening cranes offline until they are certified safe.
This addresses current vulnerabilities and ensures a thorough review of all relevant equipment.
PROVISION 03
Prohibits U.S. ports from operating new foreign cranes (from identified adversarial countries) if contracts are signed after the bill's enactment date.
This prevents future reliance on potentially insecure equipment from specific foreign sources.
PROVISION 04
Bans the use of "foreign software" on any existing foreign cranes five years after the bill becomes law.
This aims to remove ongoing software-based security risks from cranes already in operation.
PROVISION 05
Defines "covered foreign country" as a foreign adversary identified by the intelligence community or the Secretary of Homeland Security.
This establishes clear criteria for identifying the origin of cranes and software subject to these restrictions.
Voters should care about this bill because it directly addresses national security and economic stability. Modern port cranes are increasingly controlled by sophisticated software and can be connected to the internet, making them potential targets for cyberattacks or espionage by foreign adversaries. Such an attack could disrupt critical supply chains, impacting everything from consumer goods to military logistics, leading to higher prices, delays, or even national security vulnerabilities.
If this bill becomes law, it aims to reduce these risks by preventing potentially compromised equipment from being used and removing existing threats. If it doesn't become law, U.S. ports could remain vulnerable to cyber threats through these vital pieces of equipment, potentially exposing critical infrastructure to foreign interference and undermining the efficiency and security of the nation's trade and defense capabilities.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to inspect new, internet-connected foreign cranes from high-risk countries before they can be used at U.S. ports.
This ensures a proactive security check on new equipment from potentially adversarial sources.
high
Mandates DHS to assess security risks of all existing and newly constructed foreign cranes and to take any threatening cranes offline until they are certified safe.
This addresses current vulnerabilities and ensures a thorough review of all relevant equipment.
high
Prohibits U.S. ports from operating new foreign cranes (from identified adversarial countries) if contracts are signed after the bill's enactment date.
This prevents future reliance on potentially insecure equipment from specific foreign sources.
med
Bans the use of "foreign software" on any existing foreign cranes five years after the bill becomes law.
This aims to remove ongoing software-based security risks from cranes already in operation.
med
Defines "covered foreign country" as a foreign adversary identified by the intelligence community or the Secretary of Homeland Security.
This establishes clear criteria for identifying the origin of cranes and software subject to these restrictions.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
Secretary of Homeland Security must assess threats posed by all existing or newly constructed foreign cranes and take any threatening crane offline.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
Secretary of Homeland Security must brief Congress regarding foreign crane security risks or threats.
After the date which is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
Foreign cranes currently operated at a port in the U.S. may not operate foreign software.
On or after the date of enactment of this Act.
Prohibition on operating new foreign cranes (if contract entered on or after this date).
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Foreign Crane
A large machine used at ports to move cargo, where its computer and operational parts or software were made by a company owned or influenced by a country identified as a foreign adversary.
Covered Foreign Country
A country that has been identified as a foreign adversary by U.S. intelligence agencies or by the Secretary of Homeland Security in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
A U.S. government agency within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for protecting the nation's critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats.
Port Security
Measures and activities taken to protect ports, vessels, and all related facilities from terrorism, crime, and other security threats.
Foreign Software
Computer programs or technology used in port cranes that were made, entirely or in part, by a company completely owned by a foreign adversary country.
Operational Technology (OT)
Hardware and software that detects or causes a change through the direct monitoring and/or control of physical devices, processes, and events. In this context, it refers to the technology that operates the crane itself.
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTS
FEB 10, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
FEB 10, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
INTROREFERRAL
FEB 10, 25
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
The use of computers, storage, networking, and other physical devices, infrastructure, and processes to create, process, store, secure, and exchange all forms of electronic data. In this context, it refers to the digital systems connected to the crane.
