The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is seeking compensation from the shipowner of the vessel involved in last week’s oil spill.
According to Reuters, the MPA told local media that the shipowner of the Singapore-flagged Marine Honour, which was struck by the Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima, is liable for the costs of containing and cleaning the oil spill and repairing infrastructural damage.
The MPA announced on 14 June that oil had spilt into the water from the damaged cargo tank of the bunker vessel, adding that the affected tank had been isolated and the spill contained.
The dredger Vox Maxima reportedly lost engine and steering control before colliding with the Marine Honour at the terminal, causing the rupture of an oil cargo tank and thus the subsequent spillage of oil into the sea.
The oil spread to nearby beaches and parks around Singapore alongside the island of Sentosa, effectively leading to the closure of beaches at Tanjong, Palawan, and Siloso for cleaning, with swimming and sea activities prohibited.
READ: MPA progresses on oil clean-up operations
An intense clean-up effort followed, involving the deployment of 3,400 metres of booms and oil recovery operations at sea. These efforts relied on predictive modelling of tidal and wind conditions, alongside drone and satellite imagery, reported Reuters.
Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat reported that the port authority quickly ensured there were no further leaks from the vessel and sprayed dispersant to treat the spilt oil after the accident, according to Reuters. He further added that the incident was not a result of port congestion.
