Florida and the Transportation Security Administration unveiled a joint project to develop a single statewide security identification card for truck drivers, dockworkers and others who require unescorted access to secure areas of Florida’s 12 operating seaports.

The cards will be issued July 1.

TSA’s role will be to issue the cards, known as the Transportation Worker Identification Credential. The card verifies workers’ identities and ties each worker to a background check. The TWIC will contain a biometric identifier – such as a fingerprint or a scan of the eye’s retina – to positively authenticate the identity of the holder.

“This partnership is an example of what can be accomplished when federal and state governments work together,” Lolie Kull, TSA’s manager for the program, said. “By pooling our resources and expertise, Florida will be helping TSA take the next step in its effort to implement a national credentialing program for the transportation work force.”