Amit Shah Advocates for Enhanced Port Security Measures
Strengthening Port Security in India
Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a meeting to discuss the establishment of a dedicated agency for the security of ships and port facilities, known as the Bureau of Port Security (BOPS). During this meeting, Shah emphasized the importance of creating a robust port security framework across the nation. He instructed that security measures should be implemented in a risk-based and phased manner, taking into account vulnerabilities, trade capacity, location, and other relevant parameters. The meeting was attended by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, as well as the Minister of Civil Aviation.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the newly formed Board of Ports (BoPS) will be established as a statutory body under Section 13 of the newly enacted Maritime Shipping Act, 2025.
The statement further noted that this Bureau, chaired by a Director General, will operate under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and will be responsible for regulatory and oversight functions related to the security of ships and port facilities. The MHA indicated that the formation of this Bureau is modeled after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). An IPS officer at pay level 15 will lead the BoPS, with the Director General of Shipping (DGS) serving as the interim head during a one-year transition period.
Focus on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure
The Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) will ensure timely analysis, collection, and exchange of security-related information, with a particular focus on cybersecurity. It will also include a dedicated department aimed at protecting the port's IT infrastructure from digital threats. To bolster port security infrastructure, the ministry has designated the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as a recognized security organization (RSO) for port facilities, responsible for conducting security assessments and developing security plans for ports.