Govt to constitute Bureau of Port Security for protecting vessels and port facilities

The central government will constitute a dedicated body—the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS)—to oversee the security of vessels and port facilities in the country. Union Home Minister Mr Amit Shah convened a meeting to discuss the constitution of BoPS, which was attended by Mr Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Mr Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation. The BoPS will ensure timely analysis, collection and exchange of security-related information, with a special focus on cybersecurity, including a dedicated division to safeguard port IT infrastructure from digital threats, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). During the meeting, Mr Shah emphasised the need to establish a robust port security framework in the country. He 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, as per a report.

BoPS shall be constituted as a statutory body under the provisions of Section 13 of the newly promulgated Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, the statement said. 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. During the one-year transition period, the Director General of Shipping (DGS/DGMA) shall function as the Director General, BoPS, as per the report.