Fingerprint or facial recognition can help fight crime at ports better than access codes or badges, according to the Belgian government, which has given two companies the go-ahead to develop biometric access security for ports and port facilities.
Commenting on the step forward in security, Paul Van Tigchelt, Minister of Justice and the North Sea, stressed the vulnerability of the existing system and the importance of authentication in preventing misuse.
“Unlike the port of Rotterdam, for example, the port of Antwerp is much more difficult to secure because it is open with many access routes. That is why it is important that, with the Maritime Security Act, we have committed ourselves to a much stricter and more efficient security of our ports,” says Van Tigchelt. “This law provides for better perimeter security with more and better fencing, cameras and now the use of biometrics for access control”.
The basis for this increased security was laid by the Maritime Security Act, which came into force on January 1. As part of this legislation, two Flemish companies, Alfapass and NineID, have received official approval to manage biometric data. This data will play a crucial role in regulating access to port areas, network and information systems, and the activation of machinery.
Commenting on the announcement, Alfapass CEO Lode De Maesschalck said:
“We currently monitor over 47,000 digital identities, including 30,000 truck drivers and many people who are not Belgian citizens. With around 110,000 visitors to the port every day, there is plenty of room for growth”.
Alfapass emphasises that the mandatory use of biometric access control is crucial to strengthening port security.