Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003

Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (C185) is an International Labour Organization Convention.

It was established in 1958, with the preamble stating:

This Convention revised Convention C108 Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958.

As of February 2023, the convention has been ratified by 38 states.

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.

• STCW Convention

• Text.
• Ratifications.