Oil spill reaches Singapore’s beaches following Pasir Panjang Terminal collision

Several beaches in Singapore, including those on Sentosa island and East Coast Park, have been affected by an oil spill after a dredger collided with a bunker vessel at Pasir Panjang Terminal. The collision, which occurred on Friday, resulted in significant oil spillage that spread to the coastal areas by Saturday.

Oil was observed on Sentosa’s beaches—Palawan, Siloso, and Tanjong—as well as Sentosa Cove, home to numerous condominiums.

Despite the oil contamination, has permitted visitors to use the beaches, though swimming and sea activities are prohibited to facilitate the clean-up efforts.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reported that the incident occurred around 2.20 pm on Friday when a Netherlands-flagged dredger struck a stationary Singapore-flagged bunker vessel, damaging its cargo tank and causing the oil spill.

Sixteen oil spill response craft have been deployed to spray dispersants and collect the oil slicks on the water’s surface.

Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) was alerted to the oil spillage at Palawan Beach at 9 pm on Friday, and by 7 am on Saturday, the oil had spread to other beaches.

The corporation is permitting visitors to use the beaches but halted all beach activities and initiated clean-up operations in collaboration with MPA and other relevant authorities, emphasizing the priority to minimize the impact on Sentosa’s waters and wildlife.

Residents of Sentosa Cove and members of the public concerned over the impact of wildlife have also volunteered to assist in the clean-up.

The spill has also affected East Coast Park and Labrador Park. At East Coast Park, the black residue was visible along the beach, with a strong odour of oil in the air.

Oil was also seen in the water at Labrador Park, where booms have been deployed between the jetty and the coast to contain the spill.

Posting on Facebook about his visit to Labrador Nature Reserve, National Development Minister Desmond Lee advised the public to stay away due to the strong fumes.

“NParks colleagues are deploying booms to protect the rocky shores from more of the oil spill. We are keeping a close watch.”

He assured that measures are being taken to protect the rocky shores and that authorities are closely monitoring the situation.

In an update, Mr Lee said that booms have been placed in the canals that feed the mangrove in the West Coast Park despite it not being affected by the spill. as a precautionary measure.

Closer to Sentosa, the spill has impacted the Caribbean at Keppel Bay, a condominium near VivoCity mall.

An oil sheen was visible in a canal at the condominium, and residents reported a petrol-like smell. The condominium management informed residents that surfactant spraying had reduced the severity of the impact on their canals.

Photos of the oil present in various drains were also shared in chat groups on private messaging.

MPA confirmed that there is no impact on navigational traffic and that berthing operations at Pasir Panjang Terminal remain unaffected.

The agency’s statement on Friday evening indicated that the affected cargo tank had been isolated and the spill contained, with clean-up operations ongoing.

Marine Stewards, an environmental NGO, posted on its Facebook page stating that it is coordinating with NParks through a single point of coordination to avoid confusion and optimize resources for the rescue and rehabilitation of marine wildlife.