Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185) - Georgia (Ratification: 2015)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government in its report regarding the adoption of Order N02 of the Director of the Maritime Transport Agency of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of 3 February 2021 on “Rules on Form, Production, Issuing and Usage of Seafarer’s Identity Card and Sea Service Book” (hereinafter, Order N02).

Article 3 of the Convention. Content and form of the seafarers’ identity document. In reply to its previous comment, the Committee notes that, in accordance with section 1 of Annex I to Order N02, the seafarers’ identity document (SID) is an electronic, machine-readable document compliant with ICAO Document 9303 (Seventh Edition, 2015) standards. The Committee further notes that, according to the Order, the SID includes a contactless chip that stores encrypted and digitally signed data, in accordance with the requirements of Part 10 of ICAO Document 9303 (section 5). The SID is valid for five years from the date of issue, and where the document expires while the holder is serving abroad, its validity is extended until the vessel reaches the next port of call (section 6). The Committee also notes that the SID contains a built-in ICAO-compliant operating system accessible through a contactless interface. The Committee takes note of this information and acknowledges receipt of a photocopy of the SID. It requests the Government to supply a specimen of the SID to enable the Committee to review its technical specifications in light of the requirements of the Convention.

Article 4. National electronic database. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the LEPL Maritime Transport Agency (MTA) is responsible for organizing the issuance, modification, renewal, and maintenance of the electronic database for SID. The Seafarer’s Certification Division, Director, and Deputy Director of the MTA have authorized access to the database, which is secured against unauthorized access. It further notes that section 11(1) of Order N02 provides that the MTA shall ensure the registration of issued books and SIDs, as well as the creation of the relevant electronic database. Section 4 further stipulates that a seafarer shall have unlimited access to the information recorded in the electronic database concerning him or her. However, the Committee observes that section 11(2) of Order N02 is not fully in conformity with the requirements of the Convention. It recalls that Article 4(2), of the Convention provides that the information contained in the record shall be limited to details essential for verifying an SID or the status of a seafarer, consistent with the seafarer’s right to privacy and in compliance with all applicable data protection requirements. The specific details to be recorded are listed in Annex II to the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to indicate how it ensures that the data contained in the national electronic database fully complies with the requirements of Annex II of the Convention.

Article 7(1). Continuous possession. In reply to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that, in accordance with section 1(6) of Order N02, a SID shall be kept either by the owner or the master of the ship. The agency or the respective authorized body is empowered to seize the SID if it is determined that its issuance was fraudulent. In this respect, the Committee recalls that, under Article 7(1), of the Convention, the SID shall remain in the seafarer’s possession at all times, except when it is held for safekeeping by the master of the ship concerned, with the seafarer’s written consent. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to amend section 1(6) of Order N02, to bring it into conformity with this provision of the Convention and to provide information on any developments in this regard.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention. The Committee notes the efforts undertaken by the Government to give effect to the requirements of the Convention. It also notes that the 2016 amendments to the Annexes of the Convention entered into force for Georgia on 8 June 2017. The Committee recalls that these amendments aim at aligning the technical requirements of the Convention with the latest standards adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) with respect to the technology for seafarers’ identity documents (SIDs) provided for in the Convention. In particular, they intend to change the biometric template in SIDs from a fingerprint template in a two-dimensional barcode to a facial image stored in a contactless chip as required by ICAO Document 9303.

Articles 3–5 of the Convention. Seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee takes note of the Government’s indication that the Seaman’s Book contains the two-dimensional barcode in accordance with the previous version of the Convention, and that the 2016 amendments to the annexes of the Convention have not been implemented yet. The Government also indicates that it plans to implement the new format of Seaman’s Book with a contactless integrated circuit in conformity with ICAO Document 9303 by 2020. The Committee observes that the Seaman’s Book, as regulated under Order N001 of the Director of the Maritime Transport Agency of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of 16 January 2012 on “Rules on Form, Production, Issuing and Usage of Seaman’s Book” (hereinafter, Order N001). The Committee notes that Order N001 does not fully comply with the requirements of Articles 3–5 of the amended version of the Convention. Noting that a new format of Seaman’s Book will be implemented in 2020, the Committee requests the Government to ensure in this context that the new SIDs is fully compliant with the requirements of Articles 3–5 of the Convention and Annexes I-III, as amended in 2016, and to supply a copy of the relevant legislation.

Article 7(1). Continuous possession. Noting the absence of information in this regard, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure compliance with Article 7(1) of the Convention according to which the SID shall remain in the seafarer’s possession at all times, except when it is held for safekeeping by the master of the ship concerned, with the seafarer’s written consent.