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Smart cards for drivers at
Page 20
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Felixstowe container port
Technology is being introduced to improve security,
but will other ports follow suit? Chris Tindall reports.
FELIXSTOWE PORT is issuing biometric identity cards to hauliers in a bid to crack down on container theft and tighten security.
Following a successful pilot scheme, the port authorities plan to issue cards to all LGV drivers by the end of the year. After this the port will operate a "no-card-nocontainer" policy. The cards, which include scans of drivers' hands, are said to withstand bad weather and diesel
fumes. On arrival at the port, each driver will place his card into a reader and his hand on a biometric scanner before being granted entry into the restricted area of the terminal. This process is expected to take less than five seconds.
Cards arc being issued free to registered users, but lost cards will incur a f20 replacement fee. A port spokeswoman explains: "We've been rolling out the system since November last
year but we've now moved into the final implementation of the programme."
She adds that the cards will be compatible if other terminals around the UK decide to introduce a similar system.
A spokesman at Southampton Container Terminal (SCT) describes Felixstowe's system as a "very good idea"— but adds that SCT has no immediate plans to introduce such a scheme.