TWIC programme begins in earnest

Created by the US Department of Homeland Security, the federally mandated common identification credential takes the form of a tamper-resistant “smart card” containing the worker’s biometric (fingerprint template). Tacoma, the first in the region to enrol in the program at the start of November, expects thousands of workers to enrol over the coming months. The number of applicants projected to enrol at the ports of Savannah and Brunswick is expected to hit 30,000. The Port of Seattle begins enrolment mid-December.

Nationwide, more than 1m workers with unescorted access to secure areas are expected to apply during the rest of 2007 and 2008.