A significant oil leak has darkened the water in southern Singapore, and officials are rushing to clean it up after a maritime mishap that occurred days ago.
A dredging vessel flying the flag of the Netherlands collided with a fuel tanker docked off the coast of Singapore on June 14th. Reports indicate that the dredger’s engine power loss caused it to collide with the Singaporean vessel, resulting in a puncture to its oil tank. Large amounts of oil washed up on shore as at least half of the 400 metric tons of oil in its tank leaked.
According to a joint statement by Singapore’s maritime and environmental authorities, the Marine Honour’s oil cargo tank ruptured due to the collision, releasing low-sulfur fuel oil into the water.
Days after the event, visitors of the Sentosa beach clubs noted that the water remained murky and an unpleasant odor persisted. Several beaches throughout the country are now closed until further notice. Swimming and other water activities are not allowed at this time.
Responders have reported seeing sea snails and various species covered in oil, which is worrying the ecosystem, but preliminary assessments of biodiversity have not shown any significant harm.
Although no significant damage has been reported so far, environmentalists are still cautious since the leak’s real effects may not be apparent for some time. According to some, ecosystems and marine life at this important maritime port are under threat.
The government of Singapore said that over 1,500 individuals have offered to assist with the cleanup. Contractual laborers are doing the majority of the tasks. On Sunday, many of them were on the Sentosa beaches, shoveling and sorting through coated water.
The water remained dark on Monday morning. To help with the cleaning, authorities sent out skimmer boats and protected a mangrove-lined coastal nature reserve by laying down oil-absorbing booms that extended about 5,000 feet.
Located on the busy and narrow strait that links the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean, Singapore is a major shipping and petroleum bunkering center for the world. It is one of the world’s busiest commercial waterways, with a daily traffic of roughly 1,000 ships, and it is around eight miles in length, twelve miles in width, and is studded with several tiny islands.
