Centre to establish bureau of port security to fortify maritime infrastructure

The Union Government announced on Friday the formation of the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS), a new apex body tasked with overhauling safety protocols at India’s 12 major ports and over 200 non-major ports.

The decision was finalized during a high-level security review chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, attended by Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu. Modeled on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the BoPS aims to standardize protective measures across India’s coastline, which handles 95% of the country’s trade by volume.

Statutory power

The BoPS will be constituted as a statutory body under Section 13 of the newly promulgated Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. Functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), it will have the legal authority to enforce compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

A critical component of its mandate is cybersecurity. As Indian ports increasingly integrate into the National Logistics Portal, the bureau will house a specialized division to shield maritime IT infrastructure and data networks from emerging digital threats, state-sponsored espionage, and ransomware.

Leadership structure

To ensure operational continuity, the government outlined a phased leadership transition:

• Interim: The Director General of Shipping (DGS) will hold additional charge as the DG of BoPS for the initial one-year transition period.
• Permanent: The bureau will subsequently be led by a senior IPS officer (Pay Level-15) to ensure rigorous regulatory enforcement.

Additionally, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been officially designated as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO). This empowers the CISF to conduct mandatory security assessments, perform audits, and prepare security plans for all port facilities, including private terminals.

Summary

The Indian government has launched the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS), a statutory body under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, to regulate maritime security. Modeled after the aviation security bureau (BCAS), BoPS will oversee physical and cyber threats at all major and non-major ports. The Home Minister has directed a “graded” security approach, ensuring that protection levels are tailored to the specific risk profiles and trade potential of each maritime gateway.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS)? 

It is a new regulatory authority that will set and oversee safety standards for ships and ports in India, ensuring they meet international security codes.

Q2: Why is it being modeled after the aviation bureau? 

The government aims to replicate the success of the BCAS in providing a unified, professional security framework that can handle both physical terrorism and high-tech cyber threats.

Q3: What is the “graded security” model? 

As directed by Amit Shah, security protocols will be customized based on a port’s location, trade volume, and vulnerability, rather than a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

Q4: How does this affect private ports? 

The BoPS is a statutory body, meaning its regulations and CISF security audits are mandatory for all ports operating in India, including private entities like Mundra or Krishnapatnam.

Q5: Who will lead the BoPS? 

Initially, the DG of Shipping will lead the bureau. After one year, a senior IPS officer will be appointed as the permanent Director General.