By
Alex Smith |
SmartSea and parent company SITA have introduced Asia Pacific’s first interoperable automated passenger handling system for ferry and cruise operations at Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC).
The technology, which has debuted at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, enables self-service check-in, bag drop and automated boarding for all ferry passengers through a single platform.
“This new technology represents a major step forward in improving the level of experience for our passengers,” said Lee Siew Kit, vice president of technology and IT at Singapore Cruise Centre. “The deployment of automated, interoperable systems will greatly support our growing traffic and position Singapore as a leader in seamless and eventually contactless ferry and cruise travel.”
The system integrates SmartSea and SITA’s self-service kiosks, bag drops, boarding gates and Flex-as-a-Service platform to reduce processing times for both passengers and luggage by an expected 20 per cent, helping the terminal manage higher volumes without expanding physical space.
“Today’s traveller expects self-service, speed and simplicity – and we are delivering exactly that,” said SmartSea CEO Kris Vedat. “This marks a pivotal moment in standardising air-to-sea processes for ferry and cruise terminals in the region.”
The launch also marks the first live implementation of SITA’s Flex-as-a-Service in a maritime setting. Originally developed for airports, the API-based platform enables operators to connect systems and innovate without certification barriers, creating opportunities for next-generation processing such as biometric integration.
“By delivering a frictionless, self-service experience, we are paving the way for more advanced solutions, including multi-operator platforms and the future use of biometrics in ferry and cruise travel,” said Benoit Verbaere, business development director for new markets at SITA.
The solution will also be deployed at the new Integrated Ferry and Cruise Terminal at HarbourFront when it opens in mid-2026, where it will extend to cruise operations.