Joint Oil Spill Clean-up Operations Ongoing (Joint Media Statement by MPA, NEA, NParks & SDC)

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) had notified agencies including the National Environment Agency (NEA), National Parks Board (NParks), and Sentosa Development Corporation, of an oil spill at the Pasir Panjang Terminal as a result of a vessel allision. The incident occurred on 14 June at about 2.20pm.

2. MPA observed that oil had spilled from the damaged tank as a result of the allision and

immediately activated response actions. MPA patrol craft were deployed to spray dispersants

on the spill. MPA’s oil spill response contractor was also activated, and they mobilised oil

booms, dispersants and oil skimmer to reduce the impact of the spill. MPA and its contractor

also ran the oil spill prediction model and used drones and satellite imagery to assist with

mitigation efforts.

3. Oil spill from the vessel has been contained and there is no further leak from the vessel

since last evening. The oil that escaped from the damaged tank had been treated by

dispersants.

4. Due to the tidal current, the treated oil has landed along shorelines including Sentosa,

Labrador Nature Reserve, Southern Islands, Marina South Pier, and East Coast Park. There

are no signs of oil slick within Sister’s Islands Marine Park but oil sheen was observed in the

surrounding waters. To facilitate clean-up efforts, the following beaches will be closed until

further notice.

a) Beachfront at East Coast Park – From Area B to H, the rest of East Coast Park

remains open

b) Labrador Nature Reserve – Jetty and Rocky Shore

c) Sentosa – Tanjong, Palawan, and Siloso Beach remain open to the public, but sea

activities and swimming are not allowed

Public are advised to keep away to facilitate the clean-up. F&B, tracks, fields, and cycling path

remain open. NEA is also monitoring water quality at other beaches.

5. 18 response craft have been deployed by MPA, PSA, Singapore Salvage Engineers,

Tian San Shipping, and T&T Salvage to carry out the containment and clean-up efforts at sea.

Close to 1500 meters of container booms have been deployed and more will be laid over the

next few days to prevent further spread of oil onto the shore, and facilitate the recovery of the

trapped oil off the affected shorelines and lagoons to prevent them from going back to sea.

6. NParks has also deployed oil absorbent booms to protect Berlayer Creek and the

Rocky Shore at Labrador Nature Reserve. While West Coast Park is not affected, oil

absorbent booms have also been deployed at West Coast Park to protect the mangroves at

the Marsh Garden.

7. Members of the public who encounter any oil-slicked animal can contact the Animal

Response Centre at 1800 476 1600 (24-hours).

8. An MPA-led Emergency Operation Centre has been set up with the key agencies

represented to coordinate the Whole-of-Government efforts. MPA will be conducting an

investigation into the incident of the allision between the dredger, VOX MAXIMA, and bunker

vessel, MARINE HONOUR.

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