US lawmakers have urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to review and revoke inspection privileges granted to COSCO Shipping, a Chinese shipping giant accused of conducting espionage operations near American coastlines....
US lawmakers have urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to review and revoke inspection privileges granted to COSCO Shipping, a Chinese shipping giant accused of conducting espionage operations near American coastlines.
The lawmakers, including Select Committee Chairman John Moolenaar, Rick Crawford and Carlos Gimenez, sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin calling for a review of the privileges that allow COSCO vessels to undergo fewer inspections at US ports.
They raised concerns that the Chinese state-linked shipping company could pose national security risks if its vessels were used for intelligence-gathering activities.
COSCO Shipping is one of the world’s largest shipping operators, with a significant presence in international maritime trade.
The lawmakers called on the DHS to assess whether the company should continue benefiting from reduced inspections at American ports in light of the alleged espionage risks.
The development reflects growing concerns in Washington over China’s influence in strategic maritime infrastructure and the potential security implications of Chinese-linked commercial shipping operations.