H.R. 1701: Strategic Ports Reporting Act

The Strategic Ports Reporting Act is a piece of legislation aimed at enhancing the United States' oversight and understanding of foreign ports that are considered strategically important to its national security and economic interests. Here’s a summary of its main provisions:

Mapping of Strategic Ports

The bill mandates that the Secretary of State, in collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, create an updated global map of both domestic and foreign ports that are identified as significant for U.S. interests. This includes:

• Identifying ports that can offer military, diplomatic, economic, or resource exploration advantages.
• Spotting any activities by the People's Republic of China (PRC) or associated entities attempting to buy, build, or control such ports, either directly or indirectly.

The mapping report must be submitted to relevant congressional committees, presented in an unclassified format, although it can have a classified annex if necessary.

Study and Reporting Requirements

The law further requires the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to conduct a comprehensive study on strategic ports, which should include:

• A definition of what constitutes a strategic port and why they are of interest to the United States.
• The plans and activities of the PRC concerning control over foreign strategic ports.
• Identifying both public and private actors facilitating these activities, for instance, the China Ocean Shipping Company.
• Assessing the potential threats to U.S. national security and economic interests that could arise from PRC control of these ports.
• Proposing alternatives to protect U.S. interests including possible responses to any PRC influence.

This study must be completed within a year of the bill's enactment and will also be submitted in an unclassified form, but with an option for a classified annex.

Strategic Recommendations

The findings of the study must provide recommendations on:

• How the U.S. can secure safe investments and ownership of strategic ports.
• Actions to protect these ports and their infrastructure from PRC control.
• Possible funding sources for these initiatives.
• Maintaining an updated list of strategic ports as determined by relevant U.S. government offices.

Definitions

The bill provides specific definitions relevant to its execution:

• Strategic Port: An international port or waterway deemed critical to U.S. national security or economic prosperity.
• Appropriate Congressional Committees: Various committees from the House and Senate that will oversee the implementation of this act.
• Relevant U.S. Government Offices: Various federal agencies involved in national security and international affairs that will participate in the mapping and study processes.

Implementation Timeline

The report from the study is to be submitted within one year of the Act's passage, ensuring that the U.S. government has timely information on strategic ports and potential threats from foreign entities, particularly the PRC.

Relevant Companies

• CSCL - China Shipping Container Lines Co., Ltd.: Involved in shipping and logistics that could be impacted by regulations regarding foreign control of strategic ports.
• CMI - Cummins Inc.: With possible interests in maritime logistics and infrastructure, changes in investment strategies may affect their operations.
• DPW - Digital Power Corporation: Their strategies may be influenced by U.S. policies on securing maritime investments related to energy logistics.