Europe Container Terminals at the Port of Rotterdam has announced that it will implement facial recognition technology by the end of 2025 to allow access for truck drivers. According to the company, this measure will make truck transit smoother, safer and faster. The introduction of the new system will lead to the gradual phase-out of the current fingerprint-based identification technology.
The new system, based on Froc (Facial Recognition on Chip) technology, aims to enhance both access security and the operational efficiency of entry points. The initial phase will begin at the ECT Euromax terminal, where the first device is expected to be installed in one of the entry lanes by the end of May or early June. The remaining three lanes at the terminal will be equipped shortly afterwards. The ECT Delta terminal will follow, adopting the same technology.
Drivers who already hold a CargoCard — the card required to access the terminals — will need to update their card. Without the registered facial recognition data, access to ECT terminals will no longer be granted once the transition is complete. The biometric facial record can be activated at the office of Secure Logistics, the organisation that issues the CargoCard. The office is located at Rotterdam Maasvlakte, within Maasvlakte Plaza.
During the transition period, both biometric systems — facial and fingerprint — will remain temporarily active, but facial recognition will ultimately become the mandatory standard. To support the change, ECT has announced the launch of a dedicated section on its website ([http://www.ect.nl](http://www.ect.nl)) titled “Facial Recognition at ECT”, where updated information will be available in multiple languages, including a frequently asked questions section. The company emphasises the need for cooperation from all involved parties and has committed to providing regular updates on the project’s progress.
