Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) has officially opened its new HarbourFront terminal, marking the completion of a 24-month development and testing period aimed at supporting the next phase of ferry and cruise travel in the region.
The opening was officiated by Guest of Honour Mr Murali Pillai, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport.
The new terminal began full operations on 15 July 2026 and has since handled more than 720,000 ferry and cruise passengers. Designed around technology, automation and improved space planning, the facility aims to streamline passenger and baggage processing while strengthening SCC’s capacity for future growth.
A key feature is a new interoperable ferry and cruise passenger departure control system developed by SCC in partnership with Sqiva, a travel technology company specialising in passenger transport software.
The system is built around SCC’s Cruise and Ferry Operating System (CFOS), which brings ferry and cruise operations onto a common platform. It also integrates with SITA’s FAST self-service solution, allowing passenger information to move across key stages of the journey from check in to boarding.
The integration gives SCC and its operators greater visibility of passenger movements and enables more coordinated management of check in, baggage processing and boarding for both ferry and cruise services.
CFOS is also connected to the terminal’s Baggage Handling System, which screens and conveys checked baggage between the terminal and pier. Real time tracking and image capture throughout the process allow operations teams to monitor baggage movements and respond when intervention is needed.
SCC has additionally worked with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to trial a Maritime Digital Twin at the terminal. The trial provides a more integrated view of vessel movements and incoming ferries, with the aim of exploring how improved situational awareness can support earlier planning of berthing and terminal resources.
Passenger movement through the new terminal has also been simplified through a redesigned layout and expanded self service facilities.
Ferry operators are now located together on a single level in the main terminal concourse, compared with the two floors used at the former facility. Eligible passengers who have purchased tickets online can use self service facilities to validate their passports, check in and obtain boarding passes and baggage tags in under a minute. Checked baggage can then be deposited through self-service bag drop facilities in a similar timeframe.
The terminal also offers both self-service and assisted baggage counters, providing flexibility for passengers while retaining support for those who need assistance. On arrival, checked baggage is screened before reaching the carousel, allowing passengers to collect their bags and proceed towards the exit without a separate X ray screening step.
These changes have supported passenger flows during busy periods. The terminal has processed 18,000 departing passengers in a single day since operations began in July 2026.
For cruise passengers, dedicated kerbside baggage drop facilities allow bags to be checked in upon arrival. The terminal also has 12 coach bays for shore excursion transfers and a dedicated VIP lounge for passengers during vessel calls.
Passenger clearance for both ferry and cruise services is further supported by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority’s Automated Border Clearance System, which enables passportless immigration clearance using facial biometrics.
The new HarbourFront terminal also strengthens Singapore’s sea links with nearby destinations. Together with the upgraded Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, unveiled in March 2025, HarbourFront forms part of SCC’s network connecting Singapore with the Riau Islands and southern Johor.
Ferry destinations served from HarbourFront include Batam Centre, Harbour Bay, Sekupang, Tanjung Balai in Karimun, Bengkong at Gold Coast and Nirup Island. These routes support leisure, business and cross border travel, with some destinations around 45 minutes away by ferry.
The terminal also handles more than 100 cruise calls annually, covering homeported services, international luxury cruises and expedition sailings.
Looking ahead, SCC plans to further expand automation and system integration. One planned enhancement is the deployment of autonomous mobile robots to assist with oversized and irregularly shaped baggage such as golf bags and surfboards.
SCC said greater integration of passenger and baggage systems could eventually support more seamless fly cruise and fly ferry journeys through Singapore, potentially reducing repeated processing and baggage handling for travellers transferring between air and sea transport, including journeys between Changi Airport and HarbourFront.
