The ISPS Code – security and access control in the port
Why harbours and terminals are secure areas, and what the three security levels mean for your daily work
Have you wondered why you have to show your access card at a barrier, why there are fences and cameras around the terminal, and why visitors and drivers must be registered before they drive in? It is connected to the ISPS code — International Ship and Port Facility Security Code — which was developed by the UN's maritime organization IMO after the terrorist attacks in the USA in 2001 to protect ships and port facilities against intentional acts.
§From IMO code to Danish law
EU made large parts of the ISPS code binding in 2004 through Regulation 725/2004, and in Denmark the rules have been implemented in a decree on port facility security, which the Danish Transport Authority supervises. All Danish port facilities that receive international shipping must therefore comply with the same basic security requirements.
§Security assessment and security plan
Each main class (E, U, R, O, P) is divided into three sub-classes (e.g., E+, E, E-), so there are a total of 15 levels.
§Three security levels
| Level | Situation | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Normal operation | Regular access control and supervision of goods and area |
| Level 2 | Elevated risk | Tightened control — more checks, more monitoring, restricted access |
| Level 3 | Concrete and immediate threat | Extraordinary measures, often in cooperation with authorities. |
§Access control in practice
When a ship approaches a secured facility, drivers and others who need to pick up or deliver goods are typically registered through the ship's agent and get access via number plate scanning or access cards. The purpose is simple: only those with a legitimate errand should be able to enter the area, and it must always be possible to answer who has been where and when.
§What it means for your daily life
As an employee you typically have a personal access card or badge that must be worn visibly and you will find that the area is divided into zones where not everyone is allowed to move everywhere. It may seem like a nuisance in a busy everyday life but the rules are built on a real security assessment of what could threaten ships, cargo and people in your particular workplace.
“A harbour that does not know who is inside the fence cannot guarantee that the goods and people inside are safe.”