International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code

The ISPS Code is the mandatory ship and port-facility security regime adopted in December 2002 under SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and in force 1 July 2004 after the 2001 attacks on the United States. Part A sets binding requirements (ship security plan, CSO, SSO, PFSO, three MARSEC levels, the International Ship Security Certificate); Part B is guidance. It applies to passenger ships, cargo ships of 500 GT and above on international voyages, mobile offshore drilling units, and the port facilities that serve them.