USCG announces electronic fingerprint security for entry to high-risk ports

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has issued its new rules on seaport security, requiring electronically readable fingerprint identification for seamen and terminal workers at hundreds of high-risk facilities around the country.

These so-called Transportation Worker Identification Cards (TWIC) have been in play in different forms for many years, going back to 2002 – a reaction to fears following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

A 2009 upgrade made it mandatory for the TWIC to contain biometric chip cards for access to secure facilities but a visual inspection was still enough for most other ports and terminals.

The new rule requires that by 2018 all affected facilities have some means of performing electronic inspection of the TWICs. Options include buying and installing new purpose-built card-reading machines or integrating TWIC into an existing system.

All told there are 525 maritime facilities designated as high risk, which fall under this rule.