21-10-2024 (SINGAPORE) A coordinated effort is underway in Singapore to contain and clean up an oil spill that occurred off the coast of Bukom Island. The incident, involving a land-based pipeline owned by British petrochemical giant Shell, has prompted a rapid response from multiple government agencies and the company itself.
On Sunday, approximately 30 to 40 metric tonnes of what Shell describes as “slop” – a mixture of oil and water – leaked into the sea between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was alerted to the situation at around 1 pm, although the leak reportedly began at 5:30 am and was stopped at the source by 3 pm the same day.
Shell has taken immediate action, deploying containment booms, anti-pollution crafts, and dispersants to manage the spill. In a statement, the company emphasised its commitment to safety and environmental protection, stating, “Our priority is to ensure the safety of people and to limit environmental impact as we work on resolving this as quickly as possible.”
A joint statement from various Singapore agencies, including the National Environment Agency (NEA), National Parks Board (NParks), and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), outlined the extensive precautionary measures being implemented. These include the deployment of current buster systems off Changi and to the west of Singapore to prevent potential spread beyond port waters.
As of Monday afternoon, the oil spill appeared to be contained within the channel between Pulau Bukom and Bukom Kecil. However, authorities are not taking any chances. Oil absorbent booms have been pre-emptively placed at several locations, including Sentosa, Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, and East Coast Park. The lock gates of Sentosa Cove have been closed as an additional precaution.
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, assured the public via social media that her ministry and relevant statutory boards are closely monitoring the situation to ensure public health and safety.
The NEA has advised against swimming and water activities at several beaches and islands as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, the PUB is closely monitoring seawater quality at nearby desalination plants, reporting normal readings and unaffected operations thus far.
The incident has also prompted international cooperation, with Singapore authorities informing their Indonesian and Malaysian counterparts to be vigilant for any oil sightings along their coastlines.
