The International Ship and Port facility Security Code (ISPS) was implemented by the

International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establish a framework involving maritime

nations and the shipping industry to enhance security at the sea.

Several steps have been taken under the ISPS code to enhance the security of
ships. The main objective of ISPS code is to build co-operation between governments of
maritime nations and the international shipping industry to detect security threats related
to maritime operations.

Under the ISPS code, governments of maritime nations abiding by the implement rules
are known as contracting governments (CG). The contracting government plays a vital
role in order to ensure that the ISPS code is followed properly by the companies and
port authorities. It is also the duty of the CG to assimilate information regarding possible
maritime threats and their consequences. This information is then to be provided to the
ships and ports in form of instructions and security guidelines.

It is also the duty of Contracting Government to carry out the following:

 Assign appropriate security levels after assessing the security information
obtained

To develop a port facility security plan (PFSP) to ensure that security measures
are designed and assigned in a systematic manner for the protection of ships,
ports, cargo, and ship personnel

If required, the contracting government must assign a port facility security officer
(PFSO) who will be responsible for the development, implementation, revision,
and maintenance of the port facility security plan

Exercise control and compliance of the ISPS code

Exercising the requirement of declaration of security (DOS). Declaration of

security is a set of minimum security requirements, which a ship can ask for
when dealing with another ship or port

Develop and test the performance of the ship security plan (SSP) and port facility
security plan (PFSP), and amend them as and when required

It is necessary that the contracting governments work in coordination with the ISPS
authority, gathering and assessing information regarding security threats to the shipping
industry.