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The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) was adopted by a Conference of Contracting Governments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, convened in London from 9 to 13 December 2002.

The ISPS Code was developed by the IMO as a response to the perceived threats to ships and port facilities in the wake of terrorism attacks such as the 9/11 attack in the United States. The ISPS Code was developed to be a "set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities." Under the ISPS Code, each SOLAS contracting Government is responsible for enforcing the ISPS Code and may add to the mandatory and recommended procedures.

The Code aims, among other things, to establish an international framework for co-operation between Contracting Governments, Government agencies, local administrations and the shipping and port industries to detect security threats and take preventive measures against security incidents affecting ships or port facilities used in international trade and to establish relevant roles and responsibilities at the national and international level. These objectives are to be achieved by the designation of appropriate personnel on each ship, in each port facility and in each ship owning company to make assessments and to put into effect the security plans that will be approved for each ship and port facility. The Conference also adopted several related resolution, as well as amendments to chapters V and XI (now divided into chapters XI-1 and XI-2) of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended. Under the new chapter XI-2, which provides the umbrella regulations, the ISPS Code became mandatory on 1 July 2004.

The Code is divided into two parts. Part A presents mandatory requirements, part B recommendatory guidance regarding the provisions of chapter XI-2 of the Convention and part A of the Code.

This publication includes the ISPS Code, relevant amendments to the SOLAS Convention and other resolutions of the Conference relating to work that must by completed before the Code can be implemented in 2004, revision of the Code, technical co-operation and co-operative work with the International Labour Organization and the World Customs Organization.

In addition to already published regulations outlined in 33 and 46 CFR, the US Coast Guard has spearheaded the enforcement of the ISPS Code. They ensure all visiting foreign vessels have complied with the code requirements and examine those foreign vessels deemed to be a high risk for not complying with the code at an offshore location.

Please see Special Publication USCG Pub. 515 for a comprehensive look at rules and regulations for foreign vessels operating in the navigable waters of the United States. This publication contains selected text from titles 33 and 46 CFR, the ISPS Code, Maritime Transportation Security Act, Container Security Initiative, and the latest amendments and resolutions posted in the Federal Register pertaining to foreign vessels in US waters.