SINGAPORE — Say goodbye to long waits! The Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal has undergone a remarkable $20 million upgrade, shrinking the average time it takes for ferry passengers to reach the departure gate from 20 minutes to just 5 minutes.

Unveiled by Minister of State for Transport and Law, Murali Pillai, on March 22, this year-long transformation has introduced eight additional immigration clearance lanes, enhancing efficiency with cutting-edge features like self-check-in kiosks, automated bag drops, and even passport-less immigration lanes for quicker processing.

The Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC), which oversees the terminal, anticipates that by the end of 2025, around 70% of ferry passengers will embrace the convenience of self-check-in using 15 newly installed kiosks. Though passengers may still purchase tickets and collect boarding passes at renovated counters, those who pre-book will enjoy the privilege of bypassing the queues.

Mimicking airport procedures, passengers can now scan their passports at the kiosks, which enable them to print boarding passes and luggage tags seamlessly. Once checked in, travelers can drop their bags at an increased number of bag drop counters—six, up from four—which are equipped with conveyor belts and x-ray scanners for swift processing.

A significant advancement in technology allows both arriving and departing Singapore residents, as well as all departing foreign travelers, to clear immigration through facial and iris biometrics—eliminating the need to present passports. This innovation speeds up the clearance process by a staggering 60%, reducing wait times to approximately 10 seconds! However, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) reminds travelers to carry their passports for additional verification.

The upgrade also expands the terminal’s immigration clearance capacity by 50%, enlarging arrival lanes from 12 to 26 and departure lanes from 12 to 20. As a result, the terminal can now accommodate over three million passengers annually, a significant increase from the previous capacity of 2.4 million.

The redesigned departure hall is now 70% larger, comfortably accommodating an additional 200 passengers. Minister Murali expressed optimism regarding the upgrade, seeing it as a crucial step in enhancing connectivity between Singapore, Johor, and the Riau Islands.

“The enhancements will significantly improve the travel experience at the terminal while promoting regional economic collaboration in the years ahead,” he stated.

Foodies will be delighted with the new dining options that have sprouted up post-renovation, featuring popular outlets such as Subway, Luckin Coffee, Lepak Corner, and Woon’s by Killiney—the terminal's first halal-certified eatery!

Families will also appreciate the newly created outdoor play space, offering a slide and shaded seating for parents, making waiting for the ferry a breeze for families with young children.

Business-class passengers can now enjoy access to two exclusive lounges instead of just one, providing an oasis of comfort amidst travel hustle. To take comfort to the next level, enhanced hybrid cooling systems have been installed, along with high-volume, low-speed fans to maintain a pleasant atmosphere.

In a nod to sustainability, the terminal continues to utilize solar panels to provide a third of its daytime energy needs. Additionally, restroom facilities across the main concourse, departure, and arrival halls have been modernized, featuring new cubicles, wash basins, and sleek tiling.

The Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal serves four ferry operators: Batam Fast, Bintan Resort Ferries, Majestic Fast Ferry, and Sindo Ferry, connecting Singapore to Batam, Bintan, and Desaru. It is one of three terminals managed by SCC, alongside HarbourFront Centre and Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal.

Jacqueline Tan, SCC’s chief executive, lauded the new amenities, emphasizing their role in enhancing the passenger experience. “As economic growth drives higher passenger volumes in the coming years, our upgrades position us as a leading regional gateway from Singapore to the Riau Islands and Malaysia,” she noted.

The recent improvements align seamlessly with ICA’s ambitious New Clearance Concept, which aims to enhance efficiency and security at immigration checkpoints while reducing wait times for millions of travelers. In 2024 alone, nearly 47 million travelers benefitted from passport-less clearance, showcasing the future of travel in Singapore.

As the terminal embraces technological advancements alongside increased capacity, passengers can expect nothing less than a smooth, modern travel experience that’s designed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving travel landscape. So gear up for your next ferry journey at the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal—getting there just got a whole lot faster!