Seafarers' Identity Documents and Port Security

In the wake of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 in the United States, decisions have been taken both in the framework of the International Maritime Organization and in the International Labour Organization to enhance maritime security. The ILO’s actions in this regard relate to improved security of seafarers’ identification and complementary port security measures.

Seafarers’ Identity Documents

The Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, (No. 185) is in force as of 9 February 2005 (list of ratifying countries). There are arrangements concerning the list of Members which fully meet the minimum requirements concerning processes and procedures for the issue of seafarers' identity documents (pdf, 107k). The Governing Body, at its 297th Session (November 2006), approved a new list of products (pdf, 64.6k) that can now be identified as meeting the requirements of Convention No. 185 and the ILO SID-0002 standard.

Reference Documents

• Technical report ILO SID-0002 (pdf, 579)
• Biometric Testing Campaign Report (Part 1) (pdf, 909k)
• Biometric Testing Campaign Report (Addendum to Part 1) (pdf, 465k)
• Announcement of further Testing (pdf, 46k)
• Announcement of new Biometric Testing for 2007 (pdf, 56.7k)

Review of Seafarers' Identity Documents (SID) prototypes by ICAO

The ICAO has offered to review prototypes of the SID, to verify that they comply with ICAO specifications for basic Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTD). Interested member States which have developed such documents are invited to submit them to the ICAO for review and tests of compatibility.

Interested member States should contact:

Mrs. Mary McMunn
Chief, Specifications and Guidance Material Section
Security and Facilitation Branch
ICAO
999 University Street
Montreal, Quebec
Canada H3C 5H7
Tel: +1514 954 8052
Email: mmcmunn@icao.int

Background

One of the issues considered crucial for improving maritime security is ensuring that seafarers have documents enabling their “positive verifiable identification”. Many countries will be requiring such identification before they are prepared to grant special facilities enabling seafarers to carry out the international professional moves necessary for their work and for their well-being. The ILO Governing Body accordingly decided to complement action being taken in the framework of the IMO by placing an urgent item on the agenda of the 91st Session (June 2003) of the International Labour Conference concerning improved security of seafarers’ identification with a view to the revision of the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention, 1958 (No.108).

Convention No.185 was accordingly adopted by the 91st Session of the International Labour Conference. The Convention provides for a new seafarers’ identity document facilitating the movement of seafarers, but not replacing a passport. It introduces a viable system for meeting contemporary security concerns while maintaining the necessary facilitation of shipping and recognition of the needs of seafarers. The Convention requires each ratifying country to put in place a comprehensive security regime. This would cover not only the production by the national authorities of a modern identity document embodying security features, but also the maintenance of national databases for the document. In addition, the processes and procedures for the production, personalization and issuance of the document, which would include quality control of the entire national system, would be subject to international oversight (Article 5 and Annex III of the Convention).

The International Labour Conference also adopted, at the same time, a Resolution concerning the development of the global interoperable biometric. This resolution was discussed at the 288th session (November 2003) of the Governing Body, which approved a plan of action to be pursued by the Office for the adoption of the technical specifications for the interoperable biometric template.

At the 289th Session (March 2004), the Office submitted to the Governing Body as a matter of urgency a document accompanied by draft technical reports which called for a decision on the selection of the type of fingerprint biometric template, i.e. either “pattern” or “minutiae” based. After considerable discussions, the Governing Body selected the “minutiae-based” method and endorsed the technical report ILO SID-0002 (pdf, 579), as embodying the standard for the fingerprint template required under the Convention No.185.

Accordingly, the ILO conducted a biometric technology test with potential biometric vendors and integrators of biometric systems, to ensure compliance of biometric technology to both ILO Convention No. 185 and the ILO biometric standard (SID-0002). The Report (Part 1) (pdf, 909k) of this biometric testing campaign is now available.

The Governing Body also considered the Resolution concerning technical cooperation relating to seafarer’s identity documents adopted by the Conference. In keeping with this Resolution, based on a document submitted by the Office, at the 288th session (November 2003), the Governing Body requested the Director-General to give due priority, in the use of resources allocated to the Organization’ technical cooperation programme, to assisting countries with respect to the technology, expertise and process required. The Governing Body at its 289th Session (March 2004) endorsed the need to provide technical assistance to developing countries in particular to enable them to ratify and implement the Convention and the biometric standard adopted.

With adoption of the Convention No. 185 and the interoperable biometric standard, Member States of the ILO can now proceed to ratify and implement the Convention No.185, beginning the issuance of identity documents to seafarers.

Meeting Documents

Within the framework of the second Meeting of the Tripartite Subgroup of the High-level Tripartite Working Group on Maritime Labour Standards (Geneva, 3-7 February 2003), two informal special sittings on Improved Security of Seafarers' Identity Documents were held on 4 and 5 February 2003. The report of the meeting is available for consultation:

• SSSID/2003/1: Final Report - pdf, 100k.

Within the framework of the second Meeting of the High-level Tripartite Working Group on Maritime Labour Standards (Geneva, 14-18 October 2002), an informal special sitting on Improved Security of Seafarers' Identity Documents was held on 17 October 2002. The report of the meeting is available for consultation:

• SSSID/2002/2: Final Report - pdf, 44k.

Within the framework of the first Meeting of the Tripartite Subgroup of the High-level Tripartite Working Group on Maritime Labour Standards (Geneva, 24-28 June 2002), an informal special sitting on Improved Security of Seafarers' Identity Documents was held on 25 June 2002. The report of the meeting is available for consultation:

• SSSID/2002/1: Final Report - pdf, 111k..

The tripartite Consultation Meeting on Improved Security of Seafarer's Identification was held in Geneva from 9 to 10 May 2002. The following documents are available for consultation:

• Briefing Paper - pdf, 26k
• Submission by the Australian Government to the ILO Consultation - pdf, 35k
• Submission by the International Shipping Federation to the ILO Consultation - pdf, 36k
• Report of the Meeting - pdf, 87k

Port Security

Millions of people are working in ports around the world at any one time. The safety and security of persons working in ports and terminals, including service providers to ports and ships are of primary importance. Access to ports is not limited only to those who work in port areas but also to a whole range of persons and other non-port workers who deliver goods and services to ports or have access to ports for other reasons linked to ship and port operations. In many countries around the world, major communities have sprung up or are in the vicinity of port areas and many handling facilities are close to human habitation.

A Tripartite Meeting of experts on Security, Safety and Health in Ports was held in Geneva in December 2003. The experts unanimously adopted a draft ILO/IMO code of practice on security in ports and a draft code of practice on safety and health in ports, which were approved by the 289th (March 2004) Session of the Governing Body. The objective of the ILO/IMO Code of Practice on Security in Ports (pdf, 611k) is to enable governments, employers, workers and other stakeholders to reduce the risk to ports from the threat posed by unlawful acts. It provides a guidance framework to develop and implement a port security strategy appropriate to identified threats to security. This Code falls within the framework of the new international level initiatives, which are complementary to other recent maritime security related work by the ILO and the IMO. In the case of the ILO, it relates to the ILO Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention, 2003 (Revised) No. 185. In the case of the IMO, it is a follow up to the adoption of the 2002 amendments to the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which includes the adoption of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code). The Code of Practice on Security in Ports extends the consideration of port security beyond the area of port facility into the whole port. It is intended to be compatible with the provisions of the IMO’s ISPS Code, which contains requirements that relate only to security of the ship and the immediate ship/port interface (i.e. the port facility). This Code of Practice addresses inter alia, port security policy, assessment and plans as well as related tasks and roles. It also addresses the issue of security awareness and training, which are vital for a successful implementation of an appropriate port security strategy.