Singapore: An oil spill originating off southern Singapore has extended its impact to various parts of the island’s coast, posing a threat to a marine reserve, according to government agencies. Efforts to contain and clean up the spilled fuel are being intensified by authorities.
The spill occurred when a Netherlands-flagged dredger collided with a stationary Singapore-flagged bunker vessel on Friday afternoon at the southern port of Pasir Panjang. Initially, officials stated that the vessel was no longer leaking oil. However, in a late Saturday statement, they revealed that “due to tidal currents, treated oil has reached shorelines including Sentosa, Labrador Nature Reserve, Southern Islands, Marina South Pier, and East Coast Park.”
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Additionally, an oil sheen has been observed in the waters surrounding Sister’s Islands Marine Park, a significant marine protected area spanning 400,000 square meters, as per the statement.
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Singapore, a crucial global shipping and fuel bunkering hub, faces uncertainties regarding the environmental impact of the spill. Local newspaper The Straits Times highlighted concerns among fishermen about a potential increase in fish deaths over the coming days.
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Commenting on the incident, Andrew Dixon, proprietor of a sustainable resort near Singapore, emphasized the rarity of such large-scale oil spills and stressed the necessity for stringent penalties “to prevent recurrence”.
