Singapore races to clean up beaches after oil spill

Singapore authorities are urgently working to clean up a significant oil spill that has blackened the southern coastline following a shipping accident. 

On Friday, a Netherlands-flagged dredging boat collided with a Singaporean fuel ship moored in the shipping straits off the city-state. The collision occurred after the dredger lost engine power and drifted into the Singaporean vessel, puncturing its oil tank.

As a result, approximately 400 tonnes of oil spilled into the sea, with large quantities washing ashore. 

“The allision caused a rupture of one of the Marine Honour’s oil cargo tanks, and its contents of low-sulphur fuel oil were released to the sea,” Singapore maritime and environment agencies said in a joint statement.

Visitors to beach clubs on the popular resort island of Sentosa reported that the water remained dark and oily, with a lingering smell three days after the incident. Swimming and other sea activities are currently banned in Sentosa, and several beaches across the country are closed until further notice.

Concerns for wildlife are high, with responders reporting sightings of sea snails and other creatures coated in oil. However, initial biodiversity surveys have not indicated any major damage so far.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and work on containing and cleaning up the spill.