Oil stains on Singapore beaches after shipping accident

STORY: :: Oil covers Singapore beaches after an oil spill from a nearby shipping terminal

:: 15 June 2024

:: The oil spread after a Dutch-flagged dredger rammed a stationary Singapore-flagged bunker vessel

The oil-polluted waters and sands of Tanjong Beach have been cordoned off to visitors. An alert from Sentosa said the waters of Tanjong, Palawan and Siloso beaches would be closed for cleanup and swimming, while marine activities would not be allowed.

The oil spill spread from the Pasir Panjang Terminal, less than 10 kilometres from the island popular with tourists and locals, after a Dutch-flagged excavator rammed a stationary Singapore-flagged bunkering ship on Friday afternoon (June 14).

The Port Authority of Singapore said in a statement on Friday evening that some oil had leaked into the water from the bunker ship’s damaged cargo tank and that “the affected cargo tank has been isolated and the oil spill has been contained.”