Noreen Shazreen, Author at Goody Feed

Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal has reopened after a year-long renovation, featuring a comprehensive S$20 million upgrade that promises to transform the travel experience for passengers journeying between Singapore, Malaysia's Johor, and Indonesia's Riau Islands. The revamped terminal, which officially opened on 22 March 2025, now offers passport-free clearance, self-service check-in kiosks, and enhanced passenger amenities designed to streamline the travel process. Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC), which manages the terminal, completed the upgrades according to schedule, significantly improving the facility's efficiency and passenger capacity. Dramatic Reduction in Processing Times The most notable improvement is the substantial reduction in processing time for travellers. "Previously, queue build-ups would occur in two locations—at the counter to either buy a ticket or collect a boarding pass, and at the immigration counter," explained SCC Chief Executive Jacqueline Tan during the official opening ceremony. What once took about 20 minutes to enter the departure hall now takes approximately five minutes, representing a 75 per cent reduction in waiting time. This efficiency boost comes from the introduction of 15 new self-service kiosks that allow passengers to print boarding passes and luggage tags without queuing at counters. SCC expects up to 70 per cent of passengers to use these kiosks once they're fully operational by the end of 2025. Passport-less Immigration System The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has implemented a cutting-edge passport-less clearance system at the terminal. Image: Lianhe Zaobao This innovative technology allows Singapore residents and departing foreign travellers to clear immigration using facial and iris biometrics, reducing processing time to just 10 seconds—60 per cent faster than traditional methods. To accommodate increased passenger flow, ICA has expanded the number of clearance lanes significantly. Arrival lanes have more than doubled from 12 to 26, while departure lanes have increased from 12 to 20. Enhanced Passenger Amenities The terminal now features several new food and beverage outlets, including Woon's Kopi by Killiney, Subway, Luckin Coffee, and Lepak Corner. Image: Lianhe Zaobao Families travelling with children will appreciate the new outdoor playground, while business travellers can utilize "flexi" rooms that convert into meeting spaces. Additional amenities include a prayer room and an extra departure lounge. Capacity Expansion for Future Growth Following the upgrade, the terminal has expanded its capacity by 20 per cent to accommodate more than three million passengers annually. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the terminal handled up to 2.4 million passengers at its peak. SCC projects a five per cent year-on-year growth in passenger volume, supported by the development of new hotels and attractions on Riau Islands and the return of Chinese tourists, who previously contributed 20 to 25 per cent of traffic before the pandemic. Regional Connectivity The terminal currently serves ferry services to and from two locations in Johor (Tanjung Pengelih and Desaru Coast) and four locations in the Riau Islands (Bandar Bentan Telani, Batam Centre, Nongsapura, and Tanjung Pinang). At the official opening, Minister of State for Transport and Law Murali Pillai emphasized the terminal's role in strengthening regional connectivity. "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 is also prepared to support potential increases in ferry operators and services that may arise from the full implementation of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JSSEZ).