Amit Shah chairs meet on setting up port security agency

NEW DELHI: Home minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting in Friday for the constitution of Bureau of Port Security (BoPS), an overarching agency responsible for regulation and oversight functions related to the security of ships and port facilities across the country.The setting up of BoPS, which will be modelled after Bureau of Civil Aviation (BCAS) that regulates the security of aircraft and airports, comes a month after the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) being designated as the recognised security organisation for port facilities. CISF will be undertaking security assessments and preparing security plans for ports.Shah, at Friday's meeting attended by the Union ministers for ministry of ports, shipping and waterways (MoPSW) and civil aviation, emphasised upon the need to establish a robust port security framework across the country.

He directed that security measures be implemented in a graded and risk-based manner, taking into account vulnerabilities, trade potential, location, and other relevant parameters.BoPS, which will function under the aegis of MoPSW, shall 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.

The creation of a dedicated port security eco-system aligns with the govt's vision of port-led growth as it focuses on a 'blue economy' as a key driver of economic expansion.

A home ministry release said BoPS shall be constituted as a statutory body under the provisions of Section 13 of the newly promulgated Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. The bureau shall be headed by a director general, who will be an IPS officer. CISF has already been mandated to train and build the capacities of private security agencies (PSAs) engaged in port security. These agencies shall be certified and appropriate measures shall be introduced to ensure that only licenced PSAs operate in this sector. There are around 77 EXIM ports in the country, including 12 major and around 65 non-major ports. Also, there are around 200 minor ports where no cargo is handled as of now.