When an unauthorised person walks onto a pier or a suspicious package is found near a berth, the minutes that follow reveal whether a port's security plan is a working system or just a binder on a shelf. The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code exists to make sure that response is never left to improvisation, giving ships and port facilities a shared framework for assessing risk, controlling access, and escalating through defined security levels when a threat is identified. This specialized training course builds outward from that operational reality, covering how ships and ports actually detect, contain, and report a security incident before turning to the planning and assessment work that prevents one in the first place.

This course is delivered by Arab British Fellowship Training Academy through the Ship and Port Facility Security Planning Under the ISPS Code Training Course, a program designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical tools needed to protect vessels, port facilities, and personnel from security threats while maintaining full regulatory compliance. Trainees explore the responsibilities of designated security officers, how to run a security assessment, and how to turn that assessment into a plan that survives contact with a real incident.

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

• Manage security incidents and coordinate emergency response procedures.
• Explain the three security levels and their operational implications.
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of the Ship Security Officer (SSO) and Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO).
• Understand the objectives, structure, and legal basis of the ISPS Code.
• Conduct ship and port facility security assessments.
• Develop and implement ship security plans (SSP) and port facility security plans (PFSP).
• Apply access control and screening procedures within port and vessel environments.
• Conduct security drills and exercises to test preparedness levels.

Target Group

This course is designed for a wide range of professionals working in the maritime and port security sector, including:

• Ship Security Officers (SSO) and Company Security Officers (CSO).
• Port Facility Security Officers (PFSO) and terminal security managers.
• Ship captains, officers, and crew involved in security operations.
• Port authorities and maritime regulatory officials.
• Compliance and risk management professionals in shipping companies.
• Customs, immigration, and border control officers working within ports.
• Security consultants and auditors specializing in maritime security.

When Security Fails: Incident Response and Emergency Procedures

• Procedures for responding to security breaches and threats.
• Reporting requirements for security incidents.
• Coordination with law enforcement and national authorities.
• Post-incident review and corrective action processes.

Security Levels: What Changes When the Threat Changes

• Overview of Security Level 1, 2, and 3 and their triggers.
• Operational measures required at each security level.
• Procedures for escalating and de-escalating security levels.
• Communication protocols between ships, ports, and authorities.

Who's Responsible: SSO, PFSO, and CSO Roles

• Responsibilities of the Ship Security Officer (SSO).
• Responsibilities of the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO).
• Role of the Company Security Officer (CSO) in overseeing compliance.
• Coordination structures between shipboard and shore-based security teams.

The ISPS Code: Background and Legal Framework

• Background and rationale behind the development of the ISPS Code.
• Legal status of the ISPS Code within the SOLAS framework.
• Scope of application across vessel types and port facilities.
• Relationship between the ISPS Code and national maritime security legislation.

Assessing the Risk: SSA and PFSA in Practice

• Principles and methodologies of ship security assessments (SSA).
• Principles and methodologies of port facility security assessments (PFSA).
• Identifying vulnerabilities and potential threat scenarios.
• Documenting and reporting assessment findings.

Turning Assessments into Security Plans

• Structure and content of the Ship Security Plan (SSP).
• Structure and content of the Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP).
• Incorporating access control and restricted area procedures.
• Review and approval process for security plans.

Access Control and Physical Security Measures

• Establishing access control procedures for ships and port facilities.
• Identification and verification systems for personnel and visitors.
• Surveillance and monitoring systems within port environments.
• Securing restricted areas and critical infrastructure.

Testing the Plan: Drills, Exercises, and Compliance Verification

• Planning and conducting security drills and exercises.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of security plans through testing.
• Preparing for ISPS compliance audits and inspections.
• Continuous improvement of security measures based on lessons learned.