New HarbourFront cruise terminal opens with automated systems, expanded self-service facilities

The Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) officially opened the new HarbourFront terminal on Tuesday (Sept 22), marking the completion of a 24-month development and testing period aimed at supporting the next phase of regional ferry and cruise travel.

In a statement on Tuesday, SCC said the terminal has been in full operation since July 15 and has handled more than 720,000 ferry and cruise passengers.

Senior Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai was the guest of honour at the event.

The terminal features expanded self-service facilities, automated systems and a redesigned layout aimed at streamlining passenger and baggage processing.

Among the key features is a new integrated ferry and cruise passenger departure control system developed by SCC in partnership with travel technology company Sqiva.

Built around SCC's cruise and ferry operating system, the new system brings ferry and cruise operations onto a common platform and integrates with self-service technology for check-in, bag drop and boarding.

The integration allows passenger information to flow from check-in to boarding and gives the cruise centre greater visibility of passenger and baggage movements.

Additionally, it said it is working with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to trial a digital system at the terminal that provides a real-time view of vessel movements, which could support earlier planning of berthing and terminal resources.

Murali said technology and innovation would play an increasingly important role in making travel smoother as travel patterns evolve.

"Singapore's ferry and cruise networks connect people across the region, whether for business opportunities or a long-awaited holiday," he said.

"The upgraded HarbourFront terminal reflects this commitment — combining automation and thoughtful uses of space to improve the passenger experience, while tapping on new digital capabilities... to support a safer and more efficient journey."

Faster processing for ferry and cruise passengers

The new terminal has also been designed to simplify passenger movement, with ferry operators now located together on a single level in the main terminal concourse, compared with two floors at the former facility.

Baggage handling has also been enhanced, with checked bags screened before reaching the carousel, allowing arriving passengers to collect their luggage and proceed directly to the exit.

These improvements have helped the terminal handle peak periods, with SCC saying it has processed 18,000 departing passengers in a single day since operations began in July.

For cruise passengers, the terminal has dedicated kerbside baggage-drop facilities and 12 coach bays for shore excursion transfers. A dedicated VIP lounge also provides an additional waiting area during vessel calls.

Across both ferry and cruise operations, immigration clearance is supported by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's automated border clearance system, which enables passport-less clearance using facial biometrics.

SCC chief executive officer Jacqueline Tan said the new terminal would allow the company to simplify ferry and cruise journeys while improving operational visibility.

"By connecting systems that previously operated separately, we can make the journey simpler for passengers while giving our teams better visibility across operations," she said.

The HarbourFront terminal forms part of SCC's network connecting Singapore with destinations in the Riau Islands and southern Johor, including Batam Centre and Harbour Bay and other key ferry terminals in the region.

The terminal also handles more than 100 cruise calls annually, covering homeported, luxury and expedition cruises.

xingying.koh@asiaone.com

新加坡邮轮中心（SCC）于周二（9月22日）正式启用新的港湾码头，标志着为期24个月的开发和测试期圆满结束，旨在支持下一阶段的区域渡轮和邮轮旅行。

SCC周二发表声明称，该码头自7月15日全面投入运营以来，已接待了超过72万名渡轮和邮轮乘客。

法律和交通部高级国务部长穆拉利·皮莱是本次活动的贵宾。

该航站楼配备了扩建的自助服务设施、自动化系统和重新设计的布局，旨在简化旅客和行李处理流程。

其中一项关键功能是由 SCC 与旅游技术公司 Sqiva 合作开发的新型综合渡轮和游轮乘客离港控制系统。

新系统以 SCC 的邮轮和渡轮操作系统为基础，将渡轮和邮轮运营整合到一个通用平台上，并与自助服务技术相结合，用于办理登船手续、托运行李和登船。

该集成方案使乘客信息能够从办理登机手续到登船流程无缝衔接，并让邮轮中心更好地了解乘客和行李的流动情况。

此外，该公司表示，正在与新加坡海事和港务管理局合作，在码头试用一套数字系统，该系统可提供船舶动态的实时视图，这有助于更早地规划泊位和码头资源。

穆拉里表示，随着旅行模式的演变，技术和创新将在使旅行更加顺畅方面发挥越来越重要的作用。

他说：“新加坡的渡轮和游轮网络连接着整个地区的人们，无论是为了寻求商业机会还是期待已久的假期。”

“升级后的港湾中心航站楼体现了这一承诺——结合自动化和对空间的巧妙利用来改善乘客体验，同时利用新的数字功能……以支持更安全、更高效的旅程。”

加快渡轮和邮轮乘客的办理速度

新航站楼的设计也简化了乘客的通行，渡轮运营商现在集中在主航站楼大厅的同一层，而以前的航站楼则有两层。

行李处理也得到了改进，托运行李在到达传送带之前都会经过安检，这样到达的乘客就可以领取行李并直接前往出口。

这些改进措施帮助航站楼应对高峰期，SCC 表示，自 7 月份开始运营以来，该航站楼一天内已处理了 18,000 名离港旅客。

对于邮轮乘客，码头设有专门的行李托运处和12个巴士停靠站，方便岸上观光游览的乘客接送。此外，码头还设有专属贵宾休息室，在邮轮靠岸期间提供额外的候船区域。

无论是渡轮还是游轮运营，移民和检查站管理局的自动化边境通关系统都为入境清关提供支持，该系统利用面部生物识别技术实现无护照通关。

SCC首席执行官Jacqueline Tan表示，新码头将使公司能够简化渡轮和邮轮旅程，同时提高运营透明度。

她表示：“通过连接以前独立运行的系统，我们可以简化乘客的旅程，同时让我们的团队更好地了解运营情况。”

HarbourFront 码头是 SCC 网络的一部分，该网络连接新加坡与廖内群岛和柔佛州南部的目的地，包括巴淡中心、海港湾以及该地区的其他主要渡轮码头。

该码头每年还接待超过 100 艘邮轮停靠，涵盖母港邮轮、豪华邮轮和探险邮轮。

邢莹.koh@asiaone.com