The Center has established the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) as a statutory body under Section 13 of the newly established Merchant Shipping Act 2025. It will function on the lines of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and will be responsible for supervisory functions relating to the security of ships and port facilities.
Why was BoPS founded?
Currently, coastal security responsibilities are shared among multiple agencies such as the Coast Guard, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), State Maritime Police and the Navy. This creates coordination and communication challenges, as well as potential security gaps. The BoPS will be a single statutory body for regulatory oversight and coordination.
The BoPS will also tackle security challenges such as maritime terrorism, arms smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking and other illicit trade, poaching, illegal migration through waterways, piracy and cyber security threats. It is expected that a special department will be established to protect the port’s IT infrastructure against digital threats, with a special focus on cybersecurity and the collection and exchange of security-related information. The BoPS will monitor, counter and deter such intrusions and coordinate with national cybersecurity agencies.
As a statutory body under the Merchant Shipping Act, the BoPS will have the legal authority to enforce compliance with international standards such as the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Under the BoPS, the CISF is designated as a recognized security organization to prepare standardized plans, conduct security assessments and train private agencies in all major and non-major ports. Security measures must be implemented gradually.
What is India’s maritime growth so far?
According to the Ministry of Shipping, Ports and Waterways, the past decade has seen a transformation in maritime growth. Freight growth has increased from 974 million tonnes (MMT) in 2014 to 1,594 MMT in 2025. Port capacity has been expanded by 57%, increasing efficiency and volume. Ship turnaround time has been reduced by half to 48 hours, in line with global standards. Short sea shipping volumes increased by 118%, driven by stronger inland connectivity, while inland waterway freight traffic increased eightfold from 18.1 million tonnes in 2014 to 145.5 million tonnes in 2025, creating new logistics corridors. Nine Indian ports are listed in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index, indicating increasing international recognition.
As of 2025, India has 12 major ports and 217 non-major ports, of which 66 are cargo ports, while the rest are mainly fishing ports. The twelve major ports are on the Union List and are managed solely by the Union Government. Located in nine major states and three Union Territories with a coastline. The major ports handle 53% of maritime freight traffic. Two non-major ports – Mundra and Sikka – are privately owned and handle 19% of freight traffic, while the remaining 64 non-major ports account for 25% of freight traffic.
In 2021, India launched its Maritime India Vision 2030 strategy to ensure a safe, sustainable and secure maritime future. It identifies action plans such as modernizing ports, boosting shipping, building inland waterways, promoting green shipping and making India a global leader. At the top of the list of the Maritime Vision 2030 is ‘developing the best port infrastructure’. The BoPS has been defined in line with this vision.
How has port law been modernized?
These developments required revival and strengthening of port security infrastructure, defined security measures and conservation of the coastal environment with a boost to ease of doing business. This led to the replacement of the century-old Indian Ports Act of 1908 with the Indian Ports Act of 2025, along with additional legislation such as the Coastal Shipping Act of 2025, the Modernized Merchant Shipping Legislation 2025 and the Bureau of Port Security 2025. These laws aim to modernize the coastal trade framework, encourage Indian ownership and operation of ships, simplify licensing and regulatory processes and provide cost-efficient and environmentally friendly maritime transport promote. risk-based approach based on vulnerabilities, trading potential, location and other parameters.
What criticism is there?
The new legislation has given the Union government more control over non-major (state) ports. Some coastal states have criticized it as a ‘silent cost to maritime federalism’. The Indian Ports Act has also been criticized for granting port officers, curators and health officials extensive powers of entry and inspection without specifying clear judicial procedural safeguards. This criticism is aimed at the legislation and not at the BoPS itself.
Saee Pande is a freelance writer with a focus on politics, current affairs, international relations and geopolitics
Published – 25 Dec 2025 08:30 IST
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