Malaysia reports oil spill polluting Johor coastline after ship collision in Singapore

JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA: Malaysia reported that oil pollution had contaminated approximately one kilometre of coastline along Sungai Rengit and Teluk Ramunia in Pengerang, Kota Tinggi, following a collision at Pasir Panjang Terminal in Singapore on 14 June.

Ling Tian Soon, the Chairman of Johor’s Health and Environment Committee in a Facebook post reported that due to turbulent waves over the past few days, the spill had drifted into Malaysian waters near Pengerang since 19 June morning.

He noted that the impact of the oil spill has been observed along the coastlines of Sungai Rengit and Teluk Ramunia, affecting roughly one kilometre of shoreline at these locations.

He also acknowledged that the insurance company responsible for the vessel involved in the collision incident has appointed a capable contractor to commence oil spill cleanup operations.

“All costs will be borne by the respective insurance company,” he added.

Tian Soon, who is also the Yong Peng State Assemblyman, emphasized that the Johor Department of Environment (DOE), Kota Tinggi District Office, Marine Department, and other agencies will continue monitoring cleanup efforts to ensure that oil-contaminated coastal areas are cleaned and restored to normal conditions.

“The Johor DOE and Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) will continue to cooperate and share information to effectively resolve this oil pollution incident,” he affirmed.

The incident occurred on 14 June when oil washed up on several Singaporean beaches following a collision between Vox Maxima and the Singapore-flagged bunker Marine Honour at Pasir Panjang Container Terminal.

Approximately 400 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel from Marine Honour’s ruptured oil cargo tank spilt into the sea.

According to reports from Malaysian media, the Johor government has been monitoring the effects of the oil spill in its waters since the vessel collision occurred.

Additionally, Berita Harian reported that fishermen in Pengerang have been forced to bear losses as they have been unable to go to sea for the past five days due to the impact of the oil spill.

On Wednesday, Singapore’s Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat defended Singapore’s port authorities’ swift response to mitigate the environmental impact.

He noted that the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was alerted to the incident at 2:22 pm on 14 June.

By 2:33 pm, MPA had responded to ensure no further leaks from the bunker vessel, which still had 400 tonnes of oil remaining in its tank.

Earlier, in response to media queries, MPA announced that Singapore would seek compensation from the owner of the Marine Honour, which was struck by another vessel during the incident.

MPA asserted that under the Merchant Shipping (Civil Liability and Compensation for Oil Pollution) Act 1998, the vessel owner is liable for the incurred costs, meaning they are responsible for the pollution damage caused by the oil spill, irrespective of fault.