Port Security & the ISPS Code
The Directorate General of Shipping is the designated Contracting Government authority responsible for implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code across India, working in alignment with SOLAS, MARSEC directives, and the broader framework of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
Overview
DGS MandateThe Directorate General of Shipping is the Designated Authority under the Government of India for the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which forms Part A and Part B of Chapter XI-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The ISPS Code was adopted by the IMO in December 2002 and entered into force on 1 July 2004, establishing a comprehensive international framework for the detection and deterrence of security threats to ships and port facilities engaged in international trade.
India, as a State Party to SOLAS and a Member State of the International Maritime Organization, undertakes through the Directorate General of Shipping all Contracting Government functions as required by the Code. These functions encompass the approval of Ship Security Plans and Port Facility Security Plans, the certification of ships and port facilities, the setting and promulgation of Maritime Security (MARSEC) levels, the designation and oversight of Recognised Security Organisations, and the coordination of security responses across all relevant central and state agencies.
The Directorate collaborates closely with the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Central Industrial Security Force, Port Trusts, State Marine Police, and intelligence agencies to ensure a unified and effective national maritime security architecture. At the international level, DGS engages with the IMO Maritime Safety Committee and its Sub-Committees, the Indian Ocean Commission, and regional coordination mechanisms to address emerging threats including piracy, armed robbery at sea, maritime terrorism, and illicit trafficking.
DGS Functions under the ISPS Code
6 FunctionsShip Security PlansISPS Code Part A, Regulation 9
- Approval and amendment of Ship Security Plans (SSP)
- Verification of implementation on board Indian-flagged vessels
- Issuance of International Ship Security Certificates (ISSC)
- Interim ISSC issuance in appropriate circumstances
- Delegation to Recognised Security Organisations (RSOs)
Port Facility Security PlansISPS Code Part A, Regulation 10
- Approval of Port Facility Security Plans (PFSP)
- Conduct and oversight of Port Facility Security Assessments (PFSA)
- Statement of Compliance of Port Facility issuance
- Periodic review and audit of approved PFSPs
- Liaison with Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs)
MARSEC Level SettingSOLAS XI-2 / ISPS Reg. 4
- Determination and promulgation of MARSEC Levels 1, 2, and 3
- Communication of MARSEC levels to ships operating in Indian waters
- Notification to foreign-flag vessels calling at Indian ports
- Escalation procedures in response to credible threat intelligence
Agency CoordinationNational Maritime Security
Security Breach ResponseIncident Management
- Receipt and assessment of Ship Security Alerts (SSAs)
- Coordination of response to security incidents at sea and in port
- Denial of entry or conditions of entry for non-compliant vessels
- Control and compliance measures under SOLAS Regulation XI-2/9
- Reporting obligations to IMO and Member States
Capacity Building & TrainingSTCW / ISPS Part B
- Approval of ISPS-related security training programmes
- Training of Ship Security Officers (SSOs) and Company Security Officers (CSOs)
- Capacity building for Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs)
- Drills and exercises for MARSEC escalation scenarios
- Awareness programmes on emerging threats including cybersecurity
Maritime Security (MARSEC) Levels
Graduated Response FrameworkThe ISPS Code establishes a graduated three-level security system, known as Maritime Security Levels or MARSEC Levels, which determine the intensity of protective and precautionary measures to be maintained by ships and port facilities at any given time. The Directorate General of Shipping, as the Contracting Government authority, is responsible for setting, communicating, and reviewing MARSEC Levels applicable to ships operating in Indian waters and to port facilities within Indian jurisdiction.
The level at which ships and port facilities normally operate. Minimum appropriate protective security measures shall be maintained at all times. This is the default operating condition in the absence of specific threat intelligence.
Key Measures
- Routine access controls and monitoring
- Supervision of cargo handling and ship stores
- Continuous ship security watch
- Routine communication checks
The level applying for as long as there is a heightened risk of a security incident. Additional protective security measures shall be maintained for a period of time as a result of increased risk. The DGS notifies affected ships and facilities.
Key Measures
- Enhanced monitoring and access restrictions
- Detailed checking of persons and vehicles
- Increased frequency of patrols and inspections
- Enhanced vigilance over cargo and stores
The level applying for the period of time when there is a probable or imminent risk of a security incident. Further specific protective security measures shall be maintained for a limited period when a security incident is probable or imminent.
Key Measures
- Maximum security posture across ship and facility
- Suspension of cargo operations if required
- Evacuation of non-essential personnel
- Direct interface with responding security forces
Bureau of Port Security (BoPS)
Statutory Body under MS Act 2025New Statutory Development: The Bureau of Port Security has been constituted as a statutory body under Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, functioning under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. It is modelled after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and marks a significant institutional advancement in India's maritime security architecture.
A Unified Maritime Security Authority for India
The Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) has been established as a dedicated statutory body to address a longstanding challenge in India's maritime security landscape, namely the fragmentation of coastal and port security responsibilities across multiple agencies including the Indian Coast Guard, Central Industrial Security Force, State Marine Police, and the Navy. BoPS serves as a single, authoritative regulatory and coordinating institution with the legal mandate to enforce global maritime security standards.
Vested with statutory powers under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, BoPS is empowered to enforce international standards including the ISPS Code, to conduct security assessments and audits across major and non-major ports, and to coordinate with national cybersecurity agencies on the protection of port IT infrastructure. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been designated as the accredited security organisation under the ISPS framework, ensuring standardised security plans, assessments, and training across all major and non-major ports through a risk-based approach.
The establishment of BoPS aligns with the objectives of Maritime India Vision 2030 and the national goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, positioning India to meet the security demands of a maritime economy projected to handle cargo volumes of approximately 1,594 MMT by 2025. The Bureau also carries a dedicated mandate in cybersecurity, given the growing vulnerability of port digital infrastructure to cyber threats.
- Single statutory security authority for ships and port facilities
- Enforcement of ISPS Code across all Indian ports
- Coordination among Coast Guard, CISF, Navy, and State Police
- Cybersecurity oversight for port IT infrastructure
- Risk-based security planning and assessment
- Address maritime terrorism, arms and drug smuggling
- Counter illegal migration and human trafficking
- Standardised training and security exercises
- Alignment with Maritime India Vision 2030
