B046 – ILO Convention C185 – Seafarers’ Identity Documents (SIDs) Rev 1.0

1.             References

a)              Barbados Merchant Shipping Act, 2024

b)              ILO Convention C185 – Seafarers’ Identity Documents

2.             Introduction

2.1           Barbados officially deposited its instrument of ratification for ILO Convention C185 —the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003—on 3 March 2025.

2.2           Under the terms of C185, the convention enters into force for a Member State six months after that state lodges its ratification with the ILO Director‑General.

2.3           So, based on that timeline:

.1                        Ratification lodged: 3 March 2025

.2                        Entry into force for Barbados: 3 September 2025

3.             Purpose

3.1           This Bulletin gives guidance on the application of the ILO Convention C185 for seafarers working on Barbadian vessels.

4.             Application

4.1           In accordance with Article 2 of ILO Convention C185, a Seafarers’ Identity Document (SID) may only be issued by a Member State to its own nationals who are seafarers or, at that State’s discretion, to permanent residents.

4.2           Non-Barbadian nationals serving on Barbados-flagged vessels are not eligible for a Barbados-issued SID and must obtain one from their country of nationality or residence.

4.3           As the Barbados Maritime Ship Registry (BMSR) is not authorised to issue SIDs, after entry into force, Barbadian nationals who are seafarers shall submit all SID applications to the Barbados Maritime Administration (Government of Barbados), which is the designated competent authority for Visa and Immigration Considerations.

4.4           The SID, when issued by the competent authority, will be recognised under ILO Convention C185. However, it does not replace a passport and does not override national visa requirements of Port States.

4.5           Therefore, seafarers of any nationality serving on Barbados-flagged vessels may still require visas when calling at foreign ports, unless explicitly exempted by the immigration authorities of the State concerned.

4.6           Shipowners and operators must continue to ensure that all crew carry the appropriate passports, visas, and travel documentation in addition to discharge books or other records of service.

5.             Obligations of Shipowners and Operators

5.1           Verify immigration requirements for each crew member’s nationality well in advance of arrival and based on the country of arrival.

5.2           Do not assume that the Barbados or the seafarer country’s accession to C185 or the issuance of SIDs to their nationals removes the visa obligations of the other crew members.

5.3           Report any issues of SID recognition or immigration difficulties encountered at ports to the country that issued the SID and to the BMSR for awareness and record.