Unlike airports or rail stations, ferry operators must manage access control and security across fixed, land-side terminals and moving vessels, often under tight boarding windows and in challenging maritime environments.
Transportation hubs are increasingly expected to deliver the speed and convenience of modern travel while meeting stringent safety and security requirements. Among them, ferry operations occupy a particularly complex position.
Unlike airports or rail stations, ferry operators must manage access control and security across fixed, land-side terminals and moving vessels, often under tight boarding windows and in challenging maritime environments.
For system integrators, this convergence of land and sea creates a hybrid security model. Access control, identity management, video surveillance, and operational systems must work together seamlessly, even as connectivity conditions change and assets move. A recent deployment by
Spanish ferry operator Trasmed offers a useful reference point for how these integrations are being approached in practice.
A hybrid environment with distinct constraints
Ferry terminals resemble other transportation hubs in that they must handle high passenger volumes, segregate public and restricted areas, and comply with national and international security regulations. Once passengers and vehicles move from terminal to vessel, however, the operating context changes significantly.
Ships are mobile platforms. Network connectivity may be intermittent, physical infrastructure is exposed to salt air and vibration, and access rights must be tightly aligned with sailing schedules and cabin assignments. Crew members, passengers, contractors, and drivers all require different permissions, often for short and precisely defined time windows.
This means access control cannot operate in isolation. It must integrate with booking systems, operational databases, and, in many cases, wider security platforms such as video management systems or alarm systems that support onboard safety and incident response.
Access control as part of digital transformation
Operating in one of Europe’s busiest ferry corridors, Trasmed links mainland Spain with the Balearic Islands and transports thousands of passengers, vehicles, and commercial trucks every week.
According to the company, rising expectations for seamless travel experiences prompted it to rethink how onboard and terminal systems were managed.
In the case study, Trasmed said that “the digitalization of access control was a central piece of this transformation,” positioning access management as part of a broader effort to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction rather than as a standalone security upgrade.
For integrators, this reflects a wider trend across transportation infrastructure. Access control is increasingly being treated as a data-driven platform that connects physical doors and gates with digital systems that govern identity, scheduling, and service delivery.
Unifying land-side and vessel systems
A key challenge in ferry environments is avoiding fragmentation between terminal systems and vessel systems. If credentials are issued at the terminal but cannot be reliably validated onboard, staff intervention is required, slowing boarding and increasing operational costs.
Trasmed’s approach was to unify access control across its fleet and integrate it with reservation and property management systems. According to the case study, the goal was “to streamline passenger check-in while also harnessing data as a powerful tool for enhancing operational intelligence and guest satisfaction.”
Manuel Martin, Head of Onboard Services at Trasmed, described how the role of access control expanded during the project. “The initial idea was to unify the key systems across our entire fleet,” he said. “For us, the smart lock system has evolved from a simple security accessory to an element offering an extra service and operational control… becoming a pivot for business development.”
From an integration perspective, this meant linking booking data directly to access credentials. When a passenger checks in or a booking is confirmed, access rights can be provisioned automatically for the correct cabin and common areas, with start and end times aligned to the voyage.
Integrating access with operational systems
The Trasmed deployment began with smart cabin access across four vessels, covering more than 650 cabins. Further phases are planned to extend access control to onboard point-of-sale systems, common areas, and crew zones.
Using an integration protocol with its Salto Space smart access platform, the access control system was connected to reservation and property management systems, creating a unified onboard access network. This allows booking information to be synchronized and credentials to be issued in real time, reducing manual intervention by staff.
For integrators, this type of integration highlights the importance of middleware and open interfaces. Access control systems must be able to exchange data reliably with third-party applications, even when vessels are offline for part of their journey. Local decision-making at the door or lock level becomes critical, with synchronization occurring when connectivity is restored.
Supporting multiple credential types
Ferry operators must cater to diverse user groups, each with different access needs and levels of digital readiness. In Trasmed’s case, passengers can access their cabins in several ways: through a digital key on a mobile device, a smart keycard issued at a staffed desk, or a physical access card generated at a self-service kiosk using a boarding pass code.
This multi-credential approach reduces bottlenecks at check-in and supports a smoother boarding flow. It also illustrates how access control intersects with passenger experience design, a consideration that is becoming increasingly important in competitive transportation markets.
Another operational use case highlighted in the case study is the management of truck drivers. According to Trasmed, drivers can now receive virtual keys directly to their mobile applications, removing the need for on-site check-in staff and expediting the boarding process. For integrators, this underscores the value of role-based access models that can accommodate non-passenger user groups efficiently.
Addressing legacy system limitations
One of the technical challenges in ferry environments is managing overlapping access rights, particularly when cabins are reused across multiple sailings in quick succession. Legacy systems often invalidate previous credentials when new ones are issued, creating friction for staff and passengers.
Trasmed said that a key benefit of its upgraded system was the ability to allocate overlapping access credentials across different timeframes. “Unlike the legacy system, issuing new smart keycards or Digital Keys no longer invalidates prior credentials,” the company noted in the case study. This capability supports tighter turnaround times between sailings and reduces the risk of access errors.
From a wider security perspective, this also improves auditability. Real-time monitoring and digital traceability of access events provide operators with detailed records that can support incident investigations or compliance requirements.
Integration with wider security and safety systems
While the Trasmed case study focuses primarily on access control, ferry environments typically require close coordination between access systems, surveillance, and safety systems. Controlled access to crew areas, engine rooms, and restricted decks is often complemented by video surveillance and alarm systems that provide situational awareness.
For integrators, the key challenge is ensuring that these systems share a consistent view of identity and access status. For example, when a crew member’s access rights change, those changes may need to be reflected not only at doors but also in monitoring systems that track movement or trigger alerts.
Maritime operations are also subject to international security standards, such as the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. According to Trasmed, its upgraded access control system supports compliance with “stringent international maritime security standards,” highlighting the regulatory dimension that integrators must account for when designing solutions.
Operational resilience and design considerations
Designing integrated security systems for ferries requires careful planning around resilience. Systems must continue to function safely during network outages, power interruptions, or emergency situations. Decisions around fail-safe versus fail-secure operation take on added importance when evacuation and passenger safety are at stake.
Environmental factors also play a role. Hardware must be suitable for marine conditions, and maintenance strategies must consider limited access to vessels during peak operating periods.
These considerations reinforce the need for close collaboration between integrators, operators, and maritime safety teams. Access control and security cannot be bolted on as an afterthought; they must be designed as part of the vessel’s operational fabric.
Lessons for system integrators
The Trasmed deployment illustrates several broader lessons for integrators working on transportation projects that span land and sea.
First, access control should be viewed as an integration platform rather than a standalone system. Its value increases significantly when connected to booking, identity, and operational databases.
Second, flexibility is critical. Supporting multiple credential types and user groups helps operators manage peak demand and improve customer experience without compromising security.
Finally, resilience and compliance must be built into the design from the outset. Ferry environments place unique demands on hardware, software, and integration architecture, and these must be addressed early to avoid operational disruptions.
As ferry operators and other transportation providers continue to modernize, the integration of access control with wider security and operational systems is likely to deepen. For integrators, understanding the distinct requirements of hybrid land-and-sea environments will be essential to delivering systems that are both secure and operationally effective.