Ingersoll-Rand Maritime Solutions Develops Biometric I.D.-Verification
and Credentialing Security System for the Port of Antwerp

Records and Verifies Identities of Up to 20,000 Personnel

Scaleable, Open System Enables 71 Terminals to Deploy a
Uniform ISPS-compliant System Across the Port

Forestville, CT, April 11, 2005--Ingersoll-Rand Maritime Solutions, a business group of diversified industrial firm Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited, today announced that it has installed an internet based I.D.-verification and credentialing card-management system employing electronic and biometric technologies for the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, the second largest port in Europe and the tenth largest in the world. More than 8,000 credentials have already been recorded by the system. When fully deployed, it is estimated that credentials for more than 20,000 longshoremen, truck drivers and other employees and visitors requiring access to the port will be validated and recorded by the system.

Ingersoll-Rand also has designed an open-architecture database and supporting technological infrastructure through which the port's 71 private terminals may access and use the card management system to secure their individual access points. Private terminals will have real-time access to data about all personnel cleared to do business with the port. Port authorities and government officials can obtain up-to-the-minute reporting on all port activity for those access points integrated into the system. Ports are required to establish a process for tracking access by employees and visitors across private terminals under the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facilities (ISPS).

"Ingersoll-Rand's experience at designing, installing and servicing complex, integrated security systems makes it the ideal provider for this ambitious project," said Ernie Scheerlinck, managing director, AlfaPass, a company that facilitates the distribution and management of electronic identification cards for the Port of Antwerp and other ports in Belgium. "Using the Ingersoll-Rand card management system, the port will be able to more quickly and accurately verify the identities of authorized employees and visitors at port entrances, improving security and safety as well as operating efficiencies."

The capabilities of the Ingersoll-Rand security system include:

· RFID electronic identification cards - Each of the 20,000 electronic identification cards are equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology allowing cards to be read up to 10 centimeters away by each reader, facilitating fast movement through access points. The system stores information about employee certifications, work experience and access restrictions, as well as biometric identifiers. The cards may be used with Ingersoll-Rand and other RFID readers.

· Biometric handreaders - The hand geometry of each card recipient will be prerecorded on each credentialing card for use at terminals employing Recognition Systems Inc. (RSI) biometric hand readers. Biometric hand readers are utilized in ports around the world and well suited to a port's gritty working conditions. RSI is a business unit of Ingersoll Rand Security and Safety. Each terminal may elect to purchase RSI handreaders through independent distribution.

· Open, scaleable system - Built with an open architecture, the Ingersoll-Rand database enables each terminal to integrate additional security and safety technologies, such as closed circuit television (CCTV) and time-and-attendance, with their individual systems through an XML interface as well as other open standards.

· Web-based operation and reporting - The Ingersoll-Rand card management system is built on the latest web technologies. The system utilizes a powerful work flow engine coupled with full web-based interaction, enabling the complex credentialing process to be carried out fast and efficiently across terminals and other systems. The web-based reports can also detail the movement of employees and visitors through the port, among other information.

"Ports whose terminals operate independent access-control systems continue to struggle to reliably track the movement of people, as required by the ISPS," said Jim Ligotti, vice president, Ingersoll-Rand Maritime Solutions. "With the Ingersoll-Rand installation, each terminal at the Port of Antwerp will be able to integrate its current and future security systems with the port's central database, facilitating a higher level of overall port security than is possible through separate systems. And an integrated system will help people and goods move more quickly through the port, promoting valuable cost efficiencies."

Additional customers of Ingersoll-Rand Maritime Solutions include the Port of New York/New Jersey, U.S.; the Port of Dover, U.K.; Dupeg Tank Terminal; and Heerema Marine Contractors.

About AlfaPass

AlfaPass is a company established in 2004 to facilitate the distribution and management of electronic identification cards for the Port of Antwerp and other ports in Belgium. The company was established as a joint partnership by three organizations: Alfaport, an organization representing maritime and logistical companies; CEPA, the protector organization that manages CEPA employees, also known as Dockers, at the Port of Antwerp; and Seagha, the electronic commerce service organization operated by the Port of Antwerp for serving direct importers and exporters, transportation, forwarding, and logistics organizations in Belgium and the European Union. The AlfaPass operation is managed through Seagha. For more information, visit www.alfapass.be.

About Ingersoll-Rand Maritime Solutions

Ingersoll-Rand Maritime Solutions develops network-driven security and safety systems that enable ports and vessels to dynamically manage and monitor access by employees, vendors and other individuals to restricted areas, confidential information and equipment. It specializes in integrating security and safety technologies, systems and data with a client's existing business infrastructure and systems, improving business efficiencies as well as security and safety. Products and services include site analysis and planning, employee scheduling, time-and-attendance, closed-circuit television monitoring, electronic and biometric access-control, visitor management, remote monitoring, and software and hardware integration. For more information, visit (in US) http://www.irco.com/businesses/maritime and (in Europe) www.irmaritime.com

Ingersoll-Rand Maritime Solutions operates as part of Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited, a leading innovation and solutions provider for the major global markets of Security and Safety, Climate Control, Industrial Solutions and Infrastructure.

 

###

 

 

Back to Recognition Systems Press Releases