Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting on Friday to discuss the formation of a dedicated body, the Bureau of Ports Security (BoPS). The proposed body aims to strengthen the security of vessels and port facilities across the country.
A robust, nationally consistent framework for port security is essential to safeguard maritime infrastructure and trade.
Emphasising this priority, HM Shah underscored the need for a calibrated, intelligence-led approach to security implementation, guided by the following principles:
- Graded and risk-based deployment of security measures rather than a one-size-fits-all model,
- Assessment of port-specific vulnerabilities, including threat exposure and criticality,
- Consideration of trade volume and the economic significance of each port, and
- Incorporation of geographic location and other contextual factors to ensure proportionate protection
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu attended the meeting too.
HM Shah said that best practices and lessons drawn from India’s maritime security framework would be replicated. These insights would be applied in the aviation security domain to further strengthen the national security architecture.
According to an official statement, the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) is proposed to be constituted as a statutory body. The bureau will be established under Section 13 of the newly promulgated Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
Structure and Mandate of the Bureau of Ports Security
The Bureau will be headed by a Director General. It will function under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The body will, however, be entrusted with regulatory and oversight responsibilities related to the security of ships and port facilities.
Modelled on the lines of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the BoPS will be headed by an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. However, during the one-year transition period, the Director General of Shipping will discharge the responsibilities of the BoPS Director General.
Additionally, the Bureau will be tasked with the timely analysis, collection, and exchange of security-related information. This mandate will place a special emphasis on cybersecurity.
A dedicated division will be established to protect the port’s information technology infrastructure from emerging digital threats.
To bolster port security infrastructure, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been designated as a Recognised Security Organisation for port facilities.
The CISF will be responsible for conducting security assessments and preparing security plans for ports.
In addition, the CISF has been mandated to train and build the capacities of Private Security Agencies engaged in port security.
The statement said these agencies will be certified. Appropriate regulatory measures will be introduced to ensure that only licensed private security agencies operate in the sector.
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