Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, along with Senator Mark Kelly, introduced the Strategic Ports Reporting Act to mandate a U.S. Department of Defense study assessing and countering risks from Chinese control over global port control.

Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio introduced the Strategic Ports Reporting Act on Wednesday, aimed at countering Chinese influence in global maritime infrastructure.

Joined by Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, the legislation, if adopted, would mandate a study to be by the U.S. Department of Defense to assess and address risks posed by Chinese control over strategic ports worldwide.

The bill directs the U.S. Secretary of Defense to conduct a detailed study on several key aspects, including the identification of strategic ports critical to U.S. national security and economic interests. The study will also analyze the Chinese government’s efforts to expand control over strategic ports outside China, including activities by public and private entities such as the China Ocean Shipping Company, as well as examine China’s efforts in maritime logistics through products like LOGINK and by setting industry standards.

Under the bill’s purview, the study must assess and conclude how Chinese control over these ports could harm U.S. national security and economic interests, as well as those of its allies, and evaluate measures the U.S. can take to ensure open access and security for strategic ports.

“Protecting the ports, seaports and infrastructure of the U.S., our allies and trading partners around the globe is critical to our economic independence, U.S. national security and the security of our allies,” said Scott. “Our bill requires the Department of Defense to identify our most critical ports worldwide to ensure continued U.S. trade and military operations and develop a plan to keep them secure from our enemies. This overdue action is essential to protecting American trade and security.”

The legislation additionally calls for the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress within one year, detailing the findings of the study to the Legislature. The report must include a list of all known strategic ports operated, controlled, or owned by China and an assessment of their national security and economic relevance. It is also recommended to provide a list of strategic ports operated, controlled, or owned by the United States, evaluating the same metrics.

The report will additionally analyze vulnerabilities in ports operated or controlled by the U.S. and other strategic ports, and review China’s actions to gain control over strategic ports and maritime logistics.

“Florida is home to many of our nation’s key ports. Our nation can’t allow Communist China to invest in geographically and economically strategic ports,” said Rubio. “We must prevent, at all costs, the chance for our adversaries to use our resources against us.”

The legislation further requires a strategy for securing trusted investment and ownership of strategic ports, protecting them from Chinese control, and ensuring open access and security. As outlined in the bill, any propsed strategies should include existing authorities and any additional authorities needed, an assessment of products owned by China used in strategic ports, and costs and funding sources for securing trusted investment and ownership, including private and public funding options.

U.S. Representative Rob Wittman of Virginia will be introducing companion legislation in the House.