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Amit Shah's New Security Blueprint: How India's Ports Are Getting Safer

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has taken a major step to bolster India's maritime security. He convened a meeting to establish a dedicated Bureau of Port Security. This new body will function under the Ministry of Ports and be modelled on aviation security frameworks. It aims to create a graded security system and specifically address growing cyber threats to port infrastructure.

Key Points: Amit Shah Convenes Meeting for Bureau of Port Security Formation

  • Amit Shah stressed the need for a robust, risk-based port security framework nationwide
  • The BoPS will be a statutory body under the new Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
  • CISF designated as a Recognised Security Organisation for port security assessments
  • The bureau will have a dedicated division to tackle cyber security threats to port IT
2 min read

Amit Shah convenes meeting for constitution of dedicated body for security of vessels, port facilities

Home Minister Amit Shah chairs meeting to establish Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) as a statutory body for enhanced maritime and port facility security.

"The Bureau is being modelled on the lines of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). - Ministry of Home Affairs"

New Delhi, December 19

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has convened a meeting for the constitution of a dedicated body, the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS), for the security of vessels and port facilities.

During the meeting, Shah emphasised the need to establish a "robust port security framework across the country and directed that security measures should be implemented in a graded and risk-based manner, taking into account vulnerabilities, trade potential, location, and other relevant parameters."

The meeting was attended by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Minister of Civil Aviation.

As per the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) statement, the BoPS shall be constituted as a statutory body under the provisions of Section 13 of the newly promulgated Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.

It further said that the Bureau, headed by a Director General, shall function under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and shall be responsible for regulatory and oversight functions relating to the security of ships and port facilities.

"The Bureau is being modelled on the lines of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The BoPS shall be headed by an IPS officer (Pay Level-15). During the transition period of one year, the Director General of Shipping (DGS/DGMA) shall function as the Director General, BoPS," said the MHA.

It also mentioned that the BoPS shall also ensure timely analysis, collection and exchange of security-related information, with a special focus on cyber security, including a dedicated division to safeguard port IT infrastructure from digital threats.

In order to strengthen port security infrastructure, the ministry said, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been designated as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) for port facilities with responsibility for undertaking security assessments and preparation of security plans for ports.

"CISF has also been mandated to train and build the capacities of Private Security Agencies (PSAs) engaged in port security. These agencies shall be certified and appropriate regulatory measures shall be introduced to ensure that only licensed PSAs operate in this sector. During the meeting, it was also noted that lessons learned from the maritime security framework shall be replicated in the aviation security domain," it added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good step, but I hope this doesn't become another bureaucratic layer that slows down trade. The 'graded and risk-based' approach sounds practical. Let's ensure efficiency and security go hand-in-hand.
R
Rohit P
Finally! Our maritime security needs a dedicated focus. Modelling it on BCAS makes sense. The involvement of CISF for training private agencies is a smart move to standardize security protocols across all ports.
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Sarah B
As someone who works in logistics, this is excellent news. A single regulatory body will simplify compliance for shipping companies. The cyber security division is a must-have. Hope the implementation is swift.
V
Vikram M
Strong borders need strong ports. This initiative strengthens our coastal security from within. Appreciate the forward-thinking approach of learning from aviation and applying it to maritime. A step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in security.
K
Karthik V
The intent is good, but my respectful criticism is about the one-year transition period. In today's fast-evolving threat landscape, a year is too long. Hope they fast-track the setup of BoPS, especially the cyber wing.
M
Michael C
Clear, structured policy-making. Designating CISF as the RSO brings in proven expertise. The

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