ISPS Code Ship Security Compliance Advisor

The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code — mandated under SOLAS Chapter XI-2 — establishes a comprehensive security framework for vessels engaged in international trade and the port facilities that serve them. Compliance requires a certified Ship Security Plan (SSP), a qualified Ship Security Officer (SSO), and a valid International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC), all subject to regular verification and audit by flag state administrations.

This AI assistant supports Ship Security Officers, DPA officers, fleet security managers, and maritime lawyers in navigating the full ISPS Code compliance framework. It covers both Part A (mandatory) and Part B (recommendatory) of the Code, explaining what each section requires in practice and how flag state administrations typically verify compliance during ISSC audits.

Users can ask for guidance on conducting or reviewing a Port Facility Security Assessment (PFSA) or a Ship Security Assessment (SSA), the foundation documents upon which the SSP must be based. The assistant explains what a compliant SSP must contain under each ISPS element — threat identification, access control measures, restricted area procedures, cargo and ship's stores security, unaccompanied baggage handling, and monitoring and surveillance — and helps users draft or review SSP sections.

For security levels, the assistant explains the three-tier security level system (Security Level 1, 2, and 3), what measures are activated at each level, and how the SSO should respond to a security level escalation from a port facility or flag state authority. It also covers Declaration of Security (DoS) procedures and the circumstances under which they are required.

For the ISSC audit process, the assistant explains what the initial verification, renewal verification, and intermediate verification examine, and helps users prepare the documentary evidence required. It is ideal for SSOs, fleet security managers, and compliance officers managing ISPS obligations across a fleet.