Singapore intensifies oil spill clean up after it spreads along coast
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An oil spill originating off the southern coast of Singapore has extended its reach to other coastal areas of the island, posing a threat to a marine reserve, as confirmed by government agencies. Efforts to contain and clean up the spilled fuel are being intensified.
The spill occurred in Singaporean waters following a collision between a Netherlands-flagged dredger and a stationary Singapore-flagged bunker vessel on Friday afternoon in the southern port of Pasir Panjang.
Initially, authorities reported that the vessel was no longer leaking oil. However, in a statement issued late on Saturday, it was revealed that "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."
Additionally, an oil sheen has been observed in the waters surrounding Sister’s Islands Marine Park, a 400,000 square meter marine protected area.
Singapore serves as a key global shipping and fuel bunkering hub. The full environmental impact of the oil spill is yet to be determined. However, local newspaper The Straits Times reported that fishermen are on alert for a potential increase in fish deaths over the coming days.
