As a requirement of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which came into effect in July 2004, Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited (HPUK) has introduced a series of measures at all three of its ports to enhance security and tighten access controls, particularly to the terminals.

The ISPS Code requires ports to record all visitors to their facilities. As hauliers represent the largest group of visitors – for instance, making up some 4,000 movements in and out of the Port of Felixstowe each day - it is essential that HPUK introduces a way of recording their comings and goings, without adding to the time taken to process them through the gates.

Following extensive discussions with representatives from shipping lines, haulage companies, the Road Haulage Association, Felixstowe Port Users’ Association and Freight Transport Association, HPUK decided to introduce an identity card for hauliers, known as RHIDES, for Road Haulier IDEntity System. The project has the support of TRANSEC, the Department for Transport’s security division, who were fully consulted during its development.

Trials of the system were run at the Port of Felixstowe in the latter half of 2006 and early 2007, before it was made mandatory on 1st March 2007. From 1st March 2007, a ‘no card, no container’ policy came into effect at the Port of Felixstowe, and drivers without RHIDES cards are no longer granted access to the terminals under any circumstances.

It is, therefore, essential that any haulier starting sending drivers to the Port of Felixstowe joins the system and registers their drivers for RHIDES cards. Drivers who arrive without a card are allowed three temporary cards before they must collect a permanent card. Please note the following points regarding the RHIDES card issuing process:

• Before you can apply for cards for your drivers, you will need to become a recognised company within RHIDES. To do this, you will need to complete an online form, at http://www.rhides.com/register.
  
  
• When your registration is received, you will be sent a letter confirming the ‘Card Management System’ website address, your ‘User Name’ and ‘Password’, a copy of the ‘Terms and Conditions’ and a ‘User Guide’. This will allow you to log on to RHIDES itself and start registering drivers.
  
  
• The Pass Office will check and approve all requests. Drivers can collect their cards after approval; they will need to bring with them the same two forms of identification that they entered on their record on RHIDES, but no other documentation is required.
  
  

Whilst the Port of Felixstowe already has an excellent record in combating container crime, the introduction of haulier identity cards is expected to provide a significant deterrent to container theft. In the longer term, the card could be used as a more secure method of releasing import containers to authorised drivers.