# 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:
   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.
| Country | Date | Status |
| Albania | 11 Oct 2007 | In Force |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 28 Jul 2021 | In Force |
| Azerbaijan | 17 Jul 2006 | In Force |
| Bahamas | 14 Dec 2006 | In Force |
| Bangladesh | 28 Apr 2014 | In Force |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 18 Jan 2010 | In Force |
| Brazil | 21 Jan 2010 | In Force |
| Congo | 14 May 2014 | In Force |
| Croatia | 06 Sep 2011 | In Force |
| France | 27 Apr 2004 | In Force |
| Georgia | 03 Feb 2015 | In Force |
| Hungary | 30 Mar 2005 | In Force |
| India | 09 Oct 2015 | In Force |
| Indonesia | 16 Jul 2008 | In Force |
| Iraq | 21 May 2021 | In Force |
| Jordan | 09 Aug 2004 | In Force |
| Kazakhstan | 17 May 2010 | In Force |
| Kenya | 04 Feb 2022 | In Force |
| Kiribati | 06 Jun 2014 | In Force |
| Lithuania | 14 Aug 2006 | Not in force |
| Luxembourg | 20 Sep 2011 | In Force |
| Madagascar | 06 Jun 2007 | In Force |
| Maldives | 05 Jan 2015 | In Force |
| Marshall Islands | 24 Aug 2011 | In Force |
| Montenegro | 27 Apr 2017 | In Force |
| Myanmar | 16 Jan 2018 | In Force |
| Nigeria | 19 Aug 2004 | In Force |
| Pakistan | 21 Dec 2006 | In Force |
| Philippines | 19 Jan 2012 | In Force |
| Republic of Korea | 04 Apr 2007 | In Force |
| Republic of Moldova | 28 Aug 2006 | In Force |
| Russian Federation | 26 Feb 2010 | In Force |
| Spain | 26 May 2011 | In Force |
| Sri Lanka | 02 Dec 2016 | In Force |
| Tanzania | 11 Oct 2017 | In Force |
| Tunisia | 19 May 2016 | In Force |
| Turkmenistan | 12 Feb 2014 | In Force |
| Vanuatu | 28 Jul 2006 | In Force |
| Yemen | 06 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.