Singapore ramps up clean-up efforts with additional booms after Pasir Panjang oil spill

SINGAPORE: In the wake of the recent oil spill at Pasir Panjang Terminal, authorities are intensifying clean-up operations, with additional resources being deployed to address the expanding affected areas.

On Monday (17 June), Singapore authorities announced plans to install an additional 1,600 metres of booms over the coming days at key sites.

These measures aim to contain the oil spill and expedite the restoration of impacted beaches and shorelines.

This new deployment is in addition to the 1,500 metres of container booms that were implemented following Friday’s incident when a dredger collided with a bunker vessel at the terminal.

According to a joint statement from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), National Environment Agency (NEA), National Parks Board (NParks), Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), Singapore Food Agency (SFA), and national water agency PUB, some oil has also been spotted off Changi as of Monday.

Boom deployment is underway at Sentosa’s Palawan, Siloso, and Tanjong beaches, Labrador Nature Reserve, select locations in the Southern Islands’ Cooper Channel, and heavily impacted stretches of East Coast Park to contain and manage the oil spill.

Furthermore, seven oil recovery vessels were dispatched on Monday to skim and collect the remaining oil from the water surface to minimize further environmental impact.

According to the joint statement, NEA conducts daily air quality tests in affected areas, ensuring safety for the public and clean-up personnel. Air quality remains within safe levels.

However, the public is advised against swimming at Changi Beach, with similar advisories already in place for Pasir Ris and Sembawang beaches due to elevated bacteria levels.

MPA also noted that they informed Malaysian and Indonesian authorities, with all three countries part of the Revolving Fund Committee to support oil spill responses and clean-up operations.

Earlier, MPA reported that the incident occurred around 2:20 pm on Friday when the Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima struck the stationary Singapore-flagged bunker vessel Marine Honour, 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.

According to a LinkedIn post by MPA CEO Teo Eng Dih, the collision released approximately 400 metric tonnes of low-sulfur fuel oil into the sea, with another 400 metric tonnes contained and isolated. All crew members on both vessels are safe.

Despite MPA’s containment efforts, Mr Teo noted that tidal currents have carried parts of the spillage to sections of Singapore’s southern shorelines.

“While oil booms can help prevent further spreads, they are less effective for waves higher than 0.5m, ” the MPA CEO explained.

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.

MPA is investigating the incident and has instructed British Marine, the insurer of the bunker tanker, to establish claim contacts for affected parties.

Oil spill reportedly reaches Bintan, Indonesia

Earlier, Singapore’s environmental group Marine Stewards reported that oil from the spill reached Bintan, Indonesia, on 16 June.

Photos shared by Singaporeans who visited the seashores on Sunday depict the dire impact of the spill, raising questions about the long-term environmental impact on Singapore’s seashores and marine ecosystem.

East Coast Park Area G on jetty facing National Sailing Centre (16 June 2024)

Keppel Bay area, Bukit Chermin Boardwalk (3.15 pm on 16 June 2024)

A video taken on Monday at 10 pm, shared by Marine Stewards, shows oil collecting at Changi Coast Walk: