Govt to Set Up Bureau of Port Security to Boost Safety

• India establishes Bureau of Port Security (BoPS)
• Modelled on BCAS; focuses on cyber, vessel safety
• CISF as RSO; headed by IPS officer under MoPSW

India's​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ government decided to set up the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS), a new fixed body, whose main function would be to increase the security of ports, ships, and maritime establishments all over the country, at a glance, the most significant features of the center are presented. A top-level meeting chaired by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah was the place of birth for this decision; also attending the meeting were the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and the Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu.

With this program, the officials wanted to solve the problem of a detailed, risk-based security framework that takes into account the weaknesses, trade volume, location, and other factors of the ports. The establishment of the BoPS after the BCAS example is the implementation of a new statute under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The BoPS will be a statutory body created under Section 13 of the newly enacted Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, and work under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, like BCAS. It will have a Director General who will be a senior IPS officer (Pay Level-15). It is planned that the Director General of Shipping will temporarily take the position for one year.

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Among regulatory oversight, the bureau will be next in line for prompt collection, review, and sharing of security intel, and a specific concentration on cybersecurity including the protection of port IT systems from unwelcome guests in the digital domain, CISF, the Central Industrial Security Force, has been appointed the RSO, the body responsible for performing security audits, preparing plans, and training private security agencies (PSAs).

Only licensed PSAs will be allowed to work at ports to ensure that the security measures are standardized and professional. However, this maritime security system may serve as a starting point for aviation security improvements. The move strengthens India's seaport infrastructure resilience against the increasing threats worldwide, thus being a win for the economy as it ensures the safety of trade routes and is in line with the larger national security ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌goals.