29-10-2024 (SINGAPORE) Maritime authorities have responded to another oil spill in Singapore waters, marking the third such incident in recent months, after a mishap during a routine bunkering operation between two vessels off Changi.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reported that the incident occurred at 5:40pm on October 28, involving a Bahamas-registered bulk carrier and a licensed bunker tanker. Operations were immediately halted when the spill was detected.
Swift action was taken by maritime authorities, with MPA vessels arriving at the scene within ten minutes to deploy chemical dispersants, which break down oil into smaller droplets that can be diluted in seawater. Officials have confirmed that shipping traffic remains unaffected by the incident.
This latest spill follows two significant incidents in Singapore’s waters since June. The most severe occurred on June 14, when a vessel collision at Pasir Panjang Terminal resulted in approximately 400 tonnes of fuel contaminating local waters, affecting multiple coastal areas and leading to months-long suspensions of water activities.
More recently, on October 20, a Shell pipeline incident between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil released 30-40 tonnes of oil-water mixture into surrounding waters, requiring a coordinated response from nine government agencies.
Singapore, which maintains its position as one of the world’s premier bunkering ports, has seen its maritime authorities increasingly challenged by these environmental incidents. Bunkering operations, crucial to the maritime industry, involve the transfer of fuel to vessels for their operational needs.
Government agencies have been placed on high alert to monitor potential oil sightings along Singapore’s coastline, though no immediate coastal impact has been reported from this latest incident.
The frequency of these incidents has raised questions about existing safety protocols and environmental safeguards in one of the world’s busiest ports, as authorities work to maintain Singapore’s reputation as a leading maritime hub while ensuring environmental protection.
