TWIC Escort Services
A Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) is a biometric identification card that ensures only vetted individuals are eligible to enter Secure and Restricted areas of Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulated facilities and vessels without an escort.
In short, an individual must have either a TWIC or a TWIC escort in order to enter the Secure and Restricted areas of each shipping terminal.
For those without TWIC cards, TMT offers TWIC escort services. Each of our experienced drivers has both a TWIC card and TWIC escort card for all terminals in our service area. We escort all individuals with legitimate business at the port who have been placed on the facility’s gate list: crew, surveyors, technicians, owner’s representatives, charterer’s representatives, etc.
Per the USCG definition, “escorting” means ensuring that the escorted individual is continuously accompanied while within a secure/restricted area in a manner sufficient to observe whether the escorted individual is engaged in activities other than those for which escorted access was granted.
| TWIC Status | SECURE AREAS | RESTRICTED AREAS |
|---|---|---|
| TWIC Holders | Unescorted | Unescorted |
| Non-TWIC Holders | Escorted by Physical Accompaniment or Monitoring by Closed Circuit TV, Security Patrols or Roving Watches, Automatic Intrusion-Detection Devices, or Surveillance Equipment (10 escorted for every 1 approved TWIC escort) | Escorted via Physical, Side-by-Side Accompaniment (5 escorted for every 1 approved TWIC escort) |
| Foreign Mariners | Escorted by Physical Accompaniment or Monitoring by Closed Circuit TV, Security Patrols or Roving Watches, Automatic Intrusion-Detection Devices, or Surveillance Equipment (10 escorted for every 1 approved TWIC escort) * No TWIC needed while working adjacent to vessel on vessel-related activity | Escorted via Physical, Side-by-Side Accompaniment (5 escorted for every 1 approved TWIC escort) * No TWIC needed while working adjacent to vessel on vessel-related activity |
| Lost, Stolen, or Damaged TWICS | Unescorted Access up to 7 consecutive days granted so long as | Unescorted Access up to 7 consecutive days granted so long as |
| * Escorting ratios do not apply when non-TWIC holders are transported in an enclosed vehicle. | ||
