Seafarers’ identity documents

Seafarers' identity documents: facilitating access to shore leave, transfer and transit for seafarers while enhancing security in ports and borders

News | 31 January 2024
More than 1.5 million seafarers working and living on ships involved in international trade can benefit from the seafarers’ identity document (SID), which allows them to travel without a visa to join their ships and to disembark in ports. Access to shore facilities and shore leave are vital elements of their general well-being and, therefore, to the achievement of safer shipping and cleaner oceans.

The amended version of the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185) , entered into force on 8 June 2017 incorporating the latest standards adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The issuance of the new SID, with technology similar to the one currently used in electronic passports, contributes to facilitating access to shore leave, transfer and transit for seafarers while enhancing security in ports and borders through the use of a secure and internationally recognized document.

Article 5 of Convention No. 185 establishes minimum requirements for the protection of security and seafarers’ rights, concerning the processes and procedures of ratifying Members for the issuance of SIDs. The Governing Body, acting on the basis of all relevant information in accordance with the Arrangements concerning the list of Members which fully meet the minimum requirements concerning processes and procedures for the issue of seafarers’ identity documents, approves a list containing the names of Members which fully meet the minimum requirements referred to above.

In 2020, the Governing Body approved the inclusion of the Philippines as the first ratifying Member to be listed as fully meeting the minimum requirements referred to in Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention, as amended in 2016.