The Home Office’s trial of biometric facial recognition at maritime ports promises to reduce waiting times and enhance security for returning travellers.
The introduction of biometric facial recognition technology at maritime ports in the UK, also referred to as “contactless corridors,” is poised to streamline the border control process for travellers returning to Britain. The Home Office has been trialling this innovative system, which aims to eliminate the need for drivers to present their passports physically, thus significantly reducing waiting times at borders.
Currently, passengers are required to hand over their passports to Border Force officers, who manually scan them using biometric readers— a process that can become cumbersome, especially during peak holiday periods when vehicles are packed with families. With the new technology, proposed for potential rollout by next year, passengers could instead provide their documents in advance and pass through border control in a matter of seconds.
The biometric system would employ high-resolution cameras, potentially able to capture images of a driver’s face through their vehicle’s windscreen. An alternative method could involve passengers looking directly into roadside cameras to verify their identities against their travel documents. This would eliminate the need for time-consuming document inspections at the border.
While Border Force personnel will still be present to assist individuals flagged as issues of concern—such as those on watchlists or flagged due to safeguarding or intelligence factors—the movement towards automation is intended to make the process quicker for the majority of travellers.
The initiative was first announced by then-Home Secretary Priti Patel in July 2022, with original plans for deployment at airports. However, the focus has since shifted to maritime tests. From November to February, the Home Office enlisted four firms to trial various identification methods that utilise travellers’ biometric data without requiring them to exit their vehicles.
Andrew Bud, CEO of iProov, one of the companies involved in the trials, remarked on the convenience that such technology could bring, especially with increasing passenger volumes and security requirements. Speaking to MailOnline, Bud stated, “This is about convenience—when we have greater passenger volumes and security measures.” His company aims to create a future where border control is “seamless, secure and automated,” moving away from traditional human-administered processes.
Biometric passports, issued to British citizens since 2006, play a central role in this development. These passports contain microchips that hold digital versions of data and unique facial metrics, allowing automated systems to verify identities swiftly. Concerns have been raised regarding privacy with increased facial recognition practices; however, Bud suggested that the data being used for verification has already been provided through existing passports, thereby lessening the risks of new data privacy issues arising.
The trials may also extend to airports if successful, potentially doing away with the traditional biometric e-gates that many travellers currently dislike. Recently, technology similar to that proposed for maritime borders was implemented by Eurostar, which allowed passengers to verify their identity using a selfie, thereby alleviating queues at stations.
Nevertheless, recent changes within the European Union, including the new Entry-Exit System (EES), will require travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries to provide fingerprints upon their first entry to the bloc, complicating the expedited return process for travellers heading back to Britain. Eurostar has already halted its contactless technology implementation in anticipation of these new requirements.
As the Home Office continues to develop this facial recognition technology, the operational details remain largely under wraps. A spokesperson indicated that while various techniques and technologies are being explored to enhance border security, specifics regarding trials will not be disclosed until official decisions are made.
Should this system be fully implemented, it holds the promise of transforming how travellers enter the UK, with the potential for smoother and more efficient border crossings, especially at busy maritime ports like Dover.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.biometricupdate.com/202503/facial-recognition-from-iproov-used-in-uk-trials-of-security-at-maritime-ports – This article supports the claim that iProov’s facial recognition technology is being used in UK trials to enhance security at maritime ports, aiming to capture high-quality facial images within vehicles and link passenger IDs with their vehicles.
- https://www.thinkdigitalpartners.com/news/2025/03/12/home-office-trials-biometrics-at-uk-maritime-ports/ – This piece corroborates the use of advanced facial comparison technology in UK maritime ports to identify travellers within their vehicles, aligning with the Home Office’s trials for enhanced border control efficiency.
- https://www.gbnews.com/travel/airport-update-facial-recognition-queues-uk – This article explains how facial recognition technology will allow travellers to skip queues by using high-powered cameras that can scan faces through car windshields at ports, similar to the proposed system for maritime borders.
- https://www.biometricupdate.com/202503/facial-recognition-from-iproov-used-in-uk-trials-of-security-at-maritime-ports – It highlights Andrew Bud’s comments on creating a seamless and automated border control experience, aligning with the goals of the biometric trials at UK maritime ports.
- https://www.thinkdigitalpartners.com/news/2025/03/12/home-office-trials-biometrics-at-uk-maritime-ports/ – This article mentions the challenges faced by UK maritime ports, such as space and infrastructure constraints, which the biometric trials aim to address through innovative technology.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative mentions ongoing trials and future plans, indicating recent developments. However, the initiative was first announced in July 2022, suggesting some elements may not be entirely new.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The quote from Andrew Bud, CEO of iProov, appears to be original to this context, as there is no earlier known reference online. This suggests it could be a first-hand source.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a well-known publication, though its reliability can vary. The inclusion of specific details and quotes adds credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about biometric technology and border control are plausible given current trends in security and automation. The involvement of specific companies and government initiatives supports the narrative’s credibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh, with ongoing trials and future plans. The quote from Andrew Bud seems original, and the source is generally reliable. The claims are plausible and align with current technological advancements in border control.
