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FEATURE


US EAST COAST PORTS family’s minutes-long wait into seconds.


PortMiami’s Terminal A was first to implement the system


NCL’s Terminal B – the first terminal to be built with CBP’s technology hall specifications


The new procedures initially apply only to closed-loop cruises – those that begin and end at the same port. After this is implemented at major ports nationally and carriers are comfortable with the process, CBP will turn to trans-Atlantic voyages since these involve a high volume of passengers at ports like New York and Everglades.


Expanding to open-loop cruises is probably a year away. When travellers embark in another country, they’ll need to have their passport scanned so the data can be transmitted to the US. That will require the carrier to provide a front-end system in foreign ports.


Cruises USA. His company is now working toward implementation.


Roig explains the program is systematically introduced. For example, in the case of Royal Caribbean, it began with Oasis of the Seas one week, then Allure of the Seas the next.


‘It’s very user-friendly,’ he says. The cameras are automated; there is no need to touch a screen. The system compares the person’s picture with their passport photo in mere seconds. The accuracy is 97%.


A green light means go, while blue refers the person to an officer. Roig explains red isn’t used to avoid alarming people; sometimes the photos don’t match due to facial hair, sunglasses or caps.


Typically, the cameras are monitored by the ship’s ground handling staff, while a CBP officer or two stands by. Larger ships may use six to eight cameras.


It’s a one-step process. Before, passengers had to show their cruise card or token when exiting the ship then present their passport to an officer in the terminal. Now, with a green light, they’re free to go. Those who are flagged as a person of interest for a criminal violation or have duty to pay are usually known to CBP in advance thanks to the data sharing with the carrier. In those cases, an officer may go to the person’s cabin so debarkation isn’t impeded.


The new system eliminates the administrative process for CBP officers, freeing them to


104 Seatrade Cruise Review


focus on enforcement. The number of CBP officers, however, is not reduced. ‘No security is sacrificed. It affords us the ability to do more enforcement,’ Roig says.


This has been ‘very productive,’ he reports, resulting in narcotics seizures and duty collected for purchases. However, given that ‘in general, the cruise environment is very clean,’ particularly for closed-loop operations, this translates into a small increase in detection.


Submitting to facial biometrics is voluntary. Some people object to being photographed. And some travel without a passport. Carnival Cruise Line still allows travellers on closed- loop cruises to present a government-issued photo ID and a certified birth certificate or certificate of naturalisation for the bulk of its destinations (Bahamas, Caribbean, Cozumel, Bermuda, Canada/New England, Baja, Hawaii and Alaska). They still need to be seen by a CBP officer.


CBP allows carriers to determine where they want to conduct the facial biometric scan. Norwegian does it on board as passengers disembark. The cameras are set up right before the gangway. Other lines place their cameras in the terminal. Royal Caribbean’s are just after the departure gangway. Cameras may also be placed after baggage claim.


Currently, the system allows a one to one facial comparison. In the next phase, it will be able to simultaneously screen families numbering up to five people. Roig hopes this will roll out in five months or so, shaving a


What’s the cost of the facial biometric procedure?


Minimal, Roig says. The backbone is the Traveler Verification Service, an existing process within CBP’s mainframe. Carriers just need to program their software to CBP specifications to transmit the manifest electronically.


In terms of hardware, lines pick the system. A camera from an existing webcam could be used to capture images. Norwegian developed its own system in-house. Royal Caribbean went with IDEMIA, a full- service vendor.


Roig estimates the cost of using a vendor at about $20,000 to $30,000 per camera.


Until now, the technology has been added to existing terminals. At PortMiami, where new terminals are coming for Norwegian, Carnival, MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages, technology halls or lounges are being designed to CBP specifications. Usually these place the cameras right after the gangway.


The first facility to have that pre-planned area is Norwegian’s new Terminal B, opening this year. The line’s current process captures the photos on the ship, but it’s possible another carrier would use the terminal at some point.


Canadian and French officials have visited to observe what the US is doing. ‘Those folks who’ve seen it like it,’ Roig says, ‘especially knowing the cost is minimal.’


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PHOTOS: BERMELLO AJAMIL & PARTNERS


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