International Ship and Port Facility Security Code

The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) is the IMO maritime-security regime adopted in 2002 and in force under SOLAS Chapter XI-2 since 1 July 2004. It applies to passenger ships, cargo ships of 500 GT and above on international voyages, mobile offshore drilling units, and the port facilities serving them. Each ship has a ship security assessment, an approved ship security plan, a Ship Security Officer, a Company Security Officer ashore, and the security equipment to operate at security levels 1, 2, and 3 set by contracting governments. Compliance is shown by the International Ship Security Certificate.