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SATS-Creuers plans Asia’s first smart terminal solution

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Sensors placed at strategic locations will provide real-time monitoring of traffic conditions and passenger flows at MBCCS
The six-year-old Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS) is installing smart sensors, video analytics and big data managed through a central command and control system to create a smart technical solution to enhance responsiveness and elevate passengers’ experience.

Claimed to be Asia’s first smart cruise terminal, sensors placed at strategic locations such as check-in terminals and baggage handling area provide real-time monitoring of traffic conditions and passenger flows and detect congestions at these locations. The system will automatically trigger an alert to Terminal Management to enable a swift response to situations.

Smoother operations and enhanced efficiency

Better analytics will also enable MBCCS to provide information to the cruise lines and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to facilitate resource planning and coordination. The better coordination will ensure smoother operations and enhance the efficiency of handling disruptions.

Lionel Wong, ceo of MBCCS said, ‘we experienced an increase of 31% ship calls and 51% passengers handled last year. This significant growth in cruise travel is expected to continue. Augmenting our processes with technology will help us manage the increased volume more efficiently and provide a pleasant, seamless travel experience for our passengers’

Smart sensors and data analytics

Andrew Tan, chief executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, welcomed the initiative. He said, ‘The use of smart sensors and data analytics to enhance operations at Singapore’s ports and cruise terminal facilities will not only contribute to better operational efficiencies but also enhance the level of security.’

SATS-Creuers Cruise Services, which operates the cruise terminal, has appointed Singapore’s NCS Communications Engineering to support in the implementation of the smart terminal solution.

MBCCS is also investing in upgrading works to expand internal capacity, such as multi storey car parking and expanded drop-off points. ‘These works are expected to commence within the next 12 months,’ Wong told SCN.  

He also clarified that they were not in a position to comment on berth expansions, as mentioned in a recent local report.

695mtr berthing line

MBCCS’s total berthing line length is 695mtr. It has deep waters and a large turning basin and no height restrictions. Its two piers reach up to 360mtr and are able to accommodate two ships up to 220,000gt simultaneously, and handle up to 6,800 passengers at a time.

Wong added that MBCCS has not had to turn away any cruise vessels despite rising demand. ‘We are capable of handling up to three ships a day now, and our berthing framework means we are able to resolve any such conflicts well in advance,’ he said.

Global Ports Holding is a shareholder of SATS-Creuers Cruise Services. ‘As such, it has already invested in making improvements to the terminal.’ As part of the acquisition of Creuers del Port de Barcelona in 2014, Global Ports Holding holds a stake in SATS-Creuers.

The terminal has 20% more manual counters, while Dream Cruises has installed its own self check-in counters, adding to the existing 120 manual counters. The increase in automated lanes was done last year, and the taxi stand extension was done in 2015. The terminal is a 20-minute drive from Changi International Airport, which features a direct highway exit and is 5 km from midtown.