The CarMen Horizon Europe project continues to advance towards its goal of enabling seamless, secure, and efficient border management, with a key milestone achieved through operational trials at the Port of Le Havre.
As the European Union prepares for the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES), border management is undergoing a major transformation. EES introduces a fully digital framework for registering non-EU travellers, replacing traditional passport stamping with real-time recording of identity and biometric data, including facial images and fingerprints. This system will improve the efficiency of border checks, reduce waiting times, and strengthen security across the Schengen area. However, its implementation presents significant challenges, particularly in high-traffic environments such as ports, where large volumes of passengers, vehicles, and mixed flows must be processed quickly and reliably.
EES operates as a centralised information system, recording each traveller’s entry, exit, or refusal of entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. By combining identity data, travel history, and biometric verification, it enhances the ability of border authorities to monitor movements, prevent irregular migration, and respond effectively to security risks.
The CarMen project addresses these challenges by developing and validating innovative “biometrics on the move” solutions. These technologies allow travellers to be identified seamlessly while walking or driving, without the need to stop at traditional border control points. Integrating Digital Traveller Credentials (DTCs) stored on personal devices with real-time biometric verification, CarMen ensures that EES requirements can be implemented in a way that is both secure and user-friendly. This approach supports smoother passenger flows, reduces congestion, and maintains full compliance with EU data protection and regulatory standards.
As the operational partner in the project, Brittany Ferries plays a crucial role in bringing these innovations into real-world environments. Through its infrastructure and expertise at the Port of Le Havre, the organisation enables testing under near-operational conditions, including scenarios involving pedestrians, passenger vehicles, and coaches.
This contribution ensures that CarMen solutions are not only technically robust but also aligned with practical operational constraints and user expectations, supporting the vision of a “port of the future” capable of handling increasing passenger flows while ensuring security, compliance, and high-quality service.
The project is now entering a decisive implementation phase. Equipment, signage, and system connections are being installed at the Port of Le Havre in preparation for large-scale test campaigns. These trials, scheduled between November 2026 and June 2027, will involve voluntary passenger participation and provide valuable insights into system performance in real-life conditions. The results will support continuous evaluation and optimisation, ensuring that the solutions are efficient, reliable, and ready for wider deployment.