Centre creates dedicated Bureau for port, vessel security

The Centre has decided to constitute a statutory Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) to strengthen the security architecture for vessels and port facilities, amid rising maritime threats, expanding port infrastructure and growing cybersecurity risks, officials said on Friday.

The proposed body will ensure timely analysis, collection and exchange of security-related information, with a special focus on cybersecurity, as India’s ports increasingly rely on digital cargo systems, automated logistics platforms and vessel traffic management networks.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting on Friday for the constitution of a dedicated body for port and vessel security. The meeting was attended by Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, according to an official statement.

Modelled on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the Bureau of Port Security will function under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and will be headed by a Director General. It will be responsible for regulatory and oversight functions relating to the security of ships and port facilities across the country.

Officials said the move comes at a time when India’s long coastline, busy ports and rising vessel traffic have increased vulnerabilities to threats such as terrorism, smuggling of arms and drugs, human trafficking, stowaways and insider risks at port facilities. The rapid expansion of port infrastructure under projects such as Sagarmala, along with increased private and foreign participation, has further made ports critical national infrastructure requiring uniform security standards and centralised oversight.

The existing security framework involves multiple agencies, including port authorities, state marine police, the Coast Guard and shipping regulators. The BoPS is expected to bring clearer accountability, standardisation and faster decision-making during emergencies, while also aligning India more closely with global maritime security norms, including the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

As per the statement, the Bureau of Port Security will be headed by an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Pay Level-15. During a one-year transition period, the Director General of Shipping (DGS/DGMA) will function as the Director General of the BoPS.

The government said the initiative will also strengthen India’s preparedness amid evolving strategic and geopolitical developments in the Indian Ocean Region, ensuring the security of trade routes, energy supplies and maritime logistics.