PONANT and INTERPOL partner to enhance maritime security

MARSEILLE, France – INTERPOL is expanding its I-Checkit programme to include PONANT cruise line as part of efforts to further strengthen security for the global cruise industry.

The phased roll-out from 1 July of the I-Checkit passenger screening system across PONANT’s cruise operations follows the successful completion at the end of March of a three-month pilot phase.

The trial saw passenger travel documents checked against INTERPOL global databases to demonstrate the system’s ability to further strengthen security for the cruise industry.

The integration of I-Checkit into PONANT’s global passenger check-in process will enable INTERPOL to undertake the secure screening of travel documents against its databases, including the Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) database which contains more than 87.5 million records from 177 countries.

PONANT President Jean Emmanuel Sauvée underlined the role of corporate social responsibility behind the cruise line’s collaboration with INTERPOL to help enhance global security.

“The safety and security of our guests, crews and ships has always been a priority for PONANT, the only cruise company flying the French flag, the safest in the world” said Mr Sauvée.

“As a cruise company carrying thousands of passengers annually, having a highly effective and efficient security screening process is a crucial part of our corporate social responsibility in terms of how we serve our guests every day, worldwide”.

“This partnership with INTERPOL reflects our strong intention to set the security standards across our fleet as high as our service standards and our commitment to protecting the environment. This represents another important step for our industry as we continue to enhance our efforts on the safety and security of our passengers and crew members” added Mr Sauvée.

Harald Arm, Director of INTERPOL’s Operational Support and Analysis Directorate and Head of the I-Checkit programme said: “I-Checkit’s initiative with PONANT offers an additional layer of safety in the travel sector by establishing an international standard for security screening. It provides an invaluable preventative and investigative capability for global policing”.

“It is also important in raising awareness with travellers on the need to only travel with valid identity documents,” added Mr Arm.

The I-Checkit screening solution was introduced in 2014 to bridge a gap in safety and security in the transportation industry. Following successful pilot phases which demonstrated the benefits of I-Checkit to law enforcement as well as trusted partners, the solution was endorsed by INTERPOL’s member countries as part of its global border management strategy for both the maritime and aviation sectors.