SINGAPORE - On average, it used to take 20 minutes for ferry passengers to get to the departure gate at the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. Now, it only takes about five minutes after a $20 million revamp that saw eight more immigration clearance lanes added for departing travellers.Unveiled on March 22 by Minister of State for Transport and Law Mr Murali Pillai, the one-year overhaul boosts efficiency with self check-in kiosks, automated bag drops, and passport-less immigration lanes. The Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC), which manages the Terminal, expects up to 70 per cent of ferry passengers to perform self check-ins at 15 new kiosks, which will be fully deployed by mid-2025.While passengers can still buy tickets, collect boarding passes, and check in at revamped ferry operator counters, those who pre-book can skip the queues. Similar to airport procedures, travellers can scan their passports at the kiosks and print both boarding passes and luggage tags.They can then drop their bags at six bag drop counters, up from four before the renovation. Checked-in bags are put through x-ray scanners via a conveyor belt, before baggage porters transfer them into cages and load them onto the ferries. The newly upgraded bag drop system at the drop-off area at the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on March 22.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAOA future phase will allow ticket purchases at kiosks. Arriving and departing Singapore residents, and all departing foreign travellers, can clear immigration using facial and iris biometrics without presenting their passports. This speeds up clearance by 60 per cent, cutting processing time to about 10 seconds. However, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said travellers still need to carry their passports for verification.ICA has also expanded the Terminal’s immigration clearance capacity by 50 per cent, increasing arrival lanes from 12 to 26 and departure lanes from 12 to 20.Immigration clearance is now faster with 26 lanes at the arrival area at the upgraded Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAOThe Terminal’s capacity has expanded by 20 per cent, accommodating over three million passengers annually, up from 2.7 million.The redesigned departure hall, now 70 per cent larger, can hold 200 more passengers.Mr Pillai described the upgrade as a key milestone in strengthening connectivity between Singapore, Johor and the Riau Islands. Singapore Cruise Centre Chairman Lok Lik Peng and Minister of State for Transport and Law Murali Pillai at the grand opening of the upgraded Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on March 22.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO“I am happy that more passengers can now enjoy the upgraded facilities when they pass through the Terminal. These improvements will enhance the travel experience at the Terminal and support more regional economic collaboration in the years to come,” he said.The Terminal has added more dining options, such as Subway, Luckin Coffee, Lepak Corner and Woon’s by Killiney, its first halal-certified outlet. More dining options are also now available at the upgraded Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAOAn outlet in the departure area has yet to be awarded. A previously unused field outside the departure area has been converted into an outdoor play space for families, featuring slides, shaded seating, and benches for parents.A newly added playground at the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on March 22.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAOMr Ian Han, 41, an engineer, said it took him, his wife, and two children under six years old about five minutes from arrival to get to the departure gate.He said: “It’s definitely much faster compared to the old terminal, plus the playground is a great addition. My kids can play and run around instead of being constrained in the waiting area before boarding the ferry.”Business-class travellers can access two lounges, instead of one, at the departure area. To enhance comfort, the Terminal features hybrid cooling systems that combine fan ventilation with air-conditioning, alongside high-volume, low-speed fans to circulate cool air efficiently. Solar panels continue to supply a third of the Terminal’s daytime energy needs.The toilets in the main concourse, departure and arrival halls have been revamped with features such as new cubicles, wash basins and tiling.The 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.SCC chief executive Jacqueline Tan said the new amenities offer ferry passengers elevated user experiences.Said Ms Tan: “This enhances our role as a regional gateway from Singapore to Riau Islands and Malaysia, as economic growth generates higher passenger volumes in the coming years.”In 2024, the Terminal handled about one million passengers.More on this TopicFaster immigration clearanceThe revamp aligns with ICA’s New Clearance Concept, announced in 2019 to enhance speed and security at immigration checkpoints.ICA has fully automated clearance for all foreign visitors and introduced passport-less clearance - including QR code options - for eligible travellers.According to ICA’s 2024 Annual Statistics Report, as of Jan 31, around 47 million travellers have cleared immigration without presenting a passport.And more than 230 million travellers passed through the Republic’s checkpoints in 2024, about 38 million more than in 2023. Since September 2024, all four terminals at Changi Airport have implemented passport-less clearance, allowing Singapore residents to use facial and iris biometrics instead of passports. Foreign visitors also benefit from passport-less clearance when departing Singapore, reducing average clearance time from 25 seconds to about 10 seconds.The system was extended to Marina Bay Cruise Centre in December 2024 and will roll out at Seletar Airport from 2025.QR code clearance is also available at land checkpoints, with 70 per cent of cars at Woodlands and Tuas now using it.Since August 2024, it has been extended to motorcyclists and bus passengers, including those requiring special assistance.Elisha Tushara is a correspondent at The Straits Times, specialising in Singapore’s education landscape.More on this TopicJoin ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.Thanks for sharing!