The Ministry of Transport and Local Government is pleased to announce the formation of the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Compliance Unit with effect from October 22nd, 2019 to provide comprehensive and effective ISPS compliance oversight of the international port and ship facilities throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

This ISPS Compliance Unit will be headed by Senior Lieutenant Bertram Bowleg of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. It will be adequately staffed with officers and marines from the Defence Force with its own budget to ensure autonomous and ISPS compliance of the existing 23 port facilities and four proposed facilities at Ocean Cay, Freeport, Light House Point, and Sharp Rock, Grand Bahama.

The ISPS Compliance Unit will act as the recognized security organization of The Bahamas and be charged with the responsibility of conducting periodic compliance audits and random Statement of Compliance Inspections of ISPS compliant entities.

This will ensure congruence with security measures outlined in Port Facility Security Plans in tandem with the provisions of Chapter XI-2 and Part A of the International Code for Security of Ships and Port Facility operations.