Designated Authority (ISPS)

A Designated Authority is the organization or administration a Contracting Government identifies as responsible, within that government, for ensuring the security of port facilities and for implementing SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code on the port side. ISPS Code Part A Section 2.1.5 defines it. Its functions include approving facility security assessments and plans, setting security levels and communicating them to facilities, and overseeing facility security officers. It is the port-side counterpart to the flag administration, which handles ship certification; the same body may perform both.