Canadian port becomes first in world to enable cruise passengers to use self-services passport kiosks
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Canada Place Cruise Terminal has become the first cruise terminal in the world to offer automated passport control (APC) kiosks.
Operated by Port Metro Vancouver, the cruise terminal has been fitted with ten BorderXpress APC kiosks, which will help to process passengers through the US Customs and Border Protection area more quickly before they embark on a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska.
“With this launch, Port Metro Vancouver’s cruise terminal has become the first worldwide to utilise automated passport control technology for US-bound passengers,” said Peter Xotta, vice president of Planning and Operations at Port Metro Vancouver. “These kiosks will further enhance the cruise passenger experience at Canada Place.”
Cruise passengers using BorderXpress kiosks, which run on YVR’s self-service technology, can follow onscreen instructions to scan their passport and answer customs declaration questions while in the US Customs and Border Protection processing area. They will then receive a receipt confirming their data and finalise the process with a US Customs officer.
BorderXpress kiosks help customs officers to process up to four times more passengers, reducing waiting times and congestion at the cruise terminal.
“US Customs and Border Protection continues to assess and adjust its processes where appropriate and collaboratively work with the tourism industry,” said Kurry Pastilong, deputy director of US Customs and Border Protection. “The recent evolution of APC for cruise ship passengers is just one more way that the agency is striving to ease the flow of passengers without sacrificing core mission requirements.”
Eligible passengers for BorderXpress include US and Canadian passport holders and permanent US residents. The service is available without pre-registration and at no cost to the user.