Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (C185) is an International Labour Organization Convention.
It was established in 1958, with the preamble stating: Having been convened at Geneva by the Governing Body of the International Labour Office, and having met in its Ninety-first Session on 3 June 2003, and Mindful of the continuing threat to the security of passengers and crews and the safety of ships, to the national interest of States and to individuals, and
Mindful also of the core mandate of the Organization, which is to promote decent conditions of work, and
Considering that, given the global nature of the shipping industry, seafarers need special protection, and
Recognizing the principles embodied in the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958, concerning the facilitation of entry by seafarers into the territory of Members, for the purposes of shore leave, transit, transfer or repatriation, and..
Modifications
This Convention revised Convention C108 Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958.
Ratifications As of February 2023, the convention has been ratified by 38 states. CountryDateStatusAlbania11 Oct 2007 In ForceAntigua and Barbuda28 Jul 2021 In ForceAzerbaijan17 Jul 2006 In ForceBahamas14 Dec 2006 In ForceBangladesh28 Apr 2014 In ForceBosnia and Herzegovina18 Jan 2010 In ForceBrazil21 Jan 2010 In ForceCongo14 May 2014 In ForceCroatia06 Sep 2011 In ForceFrance27 Apr 2004 In ForceGeorgia03 Feb 2015 In ForceHungary30 Mar 2005 In ForceIndia09 Oct 2015 In ForceIndonesia16 Jul 2008 In ForceIraq21 May 2021 In ForceJordan09 Aug 2004 In ForceKazakhstan17 May 2010 In ForceKenya04 Feb 2022 In ForceKiribati06 Jun 2014 In ForceLithuania14 Aug 2006 Not in forceLuxembourg20 Sep 2011 In ForceMadagascar06 Jun 2007 In ForceMaldives05 Jan 2015 In ForceMarshall Islands24 Aug 2011 In ForceMontenegro27 Apr 2017 In ForceMyanmar16 Jan 2018 In ForceNigeria19 Aug 2004 In ForcePakistan21 Dec 2006 In ForcePhilippines19 Jan 2012 In ForceRepublic of Korea04 Apr 2007 In ForceRepublic of Moldova28 Aug 2006 In ForceRussian Federation26 Feb 2010 In ForceSpain26 May 2011 In ForceSri Lanka02 Dec 2016 In ForceTanzania11 Oct 2017 In ForceTunisia19 May 2016 In ForceTurkmenistan12 Feb 2014 In ForceVanuatu28 Jul 2006 In ForceYemen06 Oct 2008 In Force
Differences between the C185 and C108 Seafarers' Identity Document Conventions The main difference between C185 and C108 is the use of biometric data as a reliable means of identification. The successful application of the C185 required two main requirements:
1. the application of the necessary biometric technology; 2. the establishment of an appropriate infrastructure to control, manufacture and secure the production process of identifiers.
The requirements set out in the Convention have proved to be feasible.
E-passports and e-official travel documents have been used internationally since their introduction in 2006. By 2018, more than 100 countries have already issued e-documents, which predicts the likelihood that these countries will ratify C185.
See also STCW Convention External links Text. Ratifications.
References