News
The European Parliament (EP)'s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) recently unveiled a report on a study looking at Chinese investment in maritime infrastructures through the lens of de-risking. TRAN suggested that stricter mechanisms for screening foreign direct investments and a pan-EU maritime cabotage law be needed.
The study identified 24 Chinese acquisition deals and 13 announced green field investment projects in European maritime infrastructure in 2004-2021, which were valued at EUR 9.1 billion and EUR1.1 billion, respectively, according to calculations made by the committee.
China Ocean Shipping (Group) Co. (COSCO) and China Merchants Group (CMG) are the leading investors, according to the study. Chinese state-owned enterprises have established presences at 15 EU ports, controlling about 10% of throughput. Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC) is the main supplier of ship-to-shore cranes for European ports.
The report highlighted that economic coercion as well as cyber and data security risks are higher, adding that they will quickly become more widespread. Further research to collect data on the risks of Chinese companies' involvement in cyber and data security in critical infrastructures would provide a strong basis to inform member states and develop related policies, it advised. To mitigate cyber and data risks, guidelines on dealing with high-risk acts should be published, the report added.
