Strategic Ports Reporting Act
The Strategic Ports Reporting Act would require the U.S. government to systematically identify and monitor ports that are strategically important to national security or economic interests, with a focus on the Chinese government’s efforts to build, buy, or control foreign ports. The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, would map global ports that could give advantages in military, diplomatic, economic, or resource terms and flag any Chinese (or PRC-affiliated) efforts to influence them. The act also directs a formal study—potentially conducted by a federally funded research and development center—and a comprehensive report to Congress within one year. The report would list known strategic ports owned or controlled by the PRC or U.S. entities, assess vulnerabilities, analyze PRC expansion strategies (including logistics platforms like LOGINK and industry standards), and propose a Federal strategy to secure trusted investment and open, secure access to ports. Data submitted to Congress would be unclassified, though a classified annex could accompany the material. In short, the bill aims to increase U.S. awareness and oversight of foreign port investments, particularly those tied to China, and to outline concrete steps and funding to protect port security and open access while offering alternatives to PRC-made or -affiliated infrastructure and equipment.
Key Points
- 1Mapping and identification: The Secretary of State, with the Secretary of Defense, must produce an updated global map of ports important to the United States and identify any PRC efforts to build, buy, or control them. The mapping should cover both foreign and domestic ports and be submitted to Congress in unclassified form (with a possible classified annex).
- 2Comprehensive study and analysis: The act requires a study of strategic ports, why they matter to the U.S., PRC attempts to expand control overseas, PRC and PRC-affiliated actors, PRC-promoted logistics products and standards (e.g., LOGINK), and the national security/economic risks to the United States. It also asks for potential measures the U.S. could take to maintain open access and security for these ports.
- 3Use of an R&D center: The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense may partner with a federally funded research and development center to conduct the required study, helping to bring technical and analytical resources to the effort.
- 4One-year Congress-facing report: The core deliverable is a detailed, unclassified report due within one year of enactment. It must include:
- 5- Lists and assessments of PRC- and non-PRC-owned/controlled strategic ports, and comparable assessments for U.S. ports.
- 6- Vulnerability analyses of U.S. and strategic ports.
- 7- Analysis of PRC actions to gain port control (including LOGINK and standards outreach).
- 8- An assessment of how PRC port activities could threaten U.S. security and allies, plus proposals to secure trusted investments and alternatives to PRC involvement.
- 9- A proposed strategy for federal agencies, including authorities to use, potential additional authorities needed, cost analyses, funding sources (private and public, including loans and tax incentives), and a plan to keep an updated list of strategic ports.
- 10- An assessment of national security threats to U.S. personnel and facilities near ports, including cyber and espionage risks.
- 11- The report may be unclassified with a classified annex.
- 12Definitions and scope: The act defines “strategic port” as any international port or waterway deemed critical to U.S. security or economic prosperity by the relevant U.S. government heads, and identifies “relevant United States Government offices” and “appropriate congressional committees” to coordinate oversight.