Seafarers' Identity Documents

Related event: Meeting of Experts concerning Convention No. 185 (Geneva, 4-6 February 2015)


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 91st Session (June 2003) of the International Labour Conference adopted the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No.185).

The Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, (No. 185) is in force as of 9 February 2005. 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. Following biometric interoperability testing in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008, 12 biometric products have been found to comply with the relevant requirements of Convention No. 185 and the ILO SID-0002 standard.

Member States wishing the Office to review prototype SIDs for compliance with the Convention and with the ILO SID-002 standard may contact the following:

Sectoral Activities Department
Mr. Brandt Wagner - wagner@ilo.org

International Labour Standards Department
Mr. Samir Koufane - koufane@ilo.org