In view of the entry into force on 12 October of the European Regulation 2226/2017 for the implementation of a system Entry/Exit System (Entry/Exit System, EES) for non-EU citizens crossing the external borders, Interferry, the international association representing the companies operating ferry fleets, has warned that this rule may have an impact on ferry operators connecting countries third parties to the Schengen area and expressed concern mainly due to potential delays in ship operations in ports.

The association recalled that the EES involves the acquisition of of biometric data - fingerprints and facial images - for all third-country nationals aged 12 and over years entering the EU for short-term stays (90 days over a period of 180 days) and found that for the ferry operators operating on routes to and from third countries to the EU, such as the United Kingdom or Morocco, this will introduce an additional layer of border control for passengers, and potentially also for crew members. "Imagine - noted Interferry in a note - the time needed to Processing biometric data of car and bus passengers: A huge undertaking, largely outside of direct control operators, but which will have significant repercussions".

The association has highlighted that the implementation from the first day of biometric checks on all these is simply unfeasible and that IT systems require sufficient periods of experimentation. "There is also - Interferry specified - the central issue of passenger information: how will the EU ensure that passengers third countries are fully informed, and what adjustments will be made necessary for our booking systems?". The association specified that the European authorities have taken note of this concern raised by the sector and have now allowed for a gradual rollout of the system over the six months by authorising Member States, which will have to share the national plans with the European Commission by next 25 September, to independently choose the speed of implementation of the EES: immediate or with a timetable of Phasing out at border control points selected, as established by Regulation 1534/2025.

Member States are only required to communicate with operators border crossing point infrastructures where the EES will be (i.e. ports), and not with the users of that infrastructure such as ferry operators, Interferry has warned its members to act proactively while maintaining a close contact with ports to find out if and when the EES will be implemented in these airports.