Singapore rushes to clean up oil spill after fuel tanker crash

The Dutch-flagged dredger Vox Maxima collided with the Singapore-flagged fuel supply vessel Marine Honor on June 14, damaging the Marine Honor's cargo tank and causing oil to leak into the sea.

Workers clean up an oil spill along Tanjong Beach on Sentosa Island in Singapore, June 16. Photo: AP

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said late on June 15 that the oil leak from the ship had been contained. The oil released from the damaged tanker was treated with a dispersant.

But due to tidal currents, the processed oil has drifted along the coastline including Sentosa Island and other southern islands. Sentosa Island, which attracts millions of tourists each year, is home to one of only two casinos, a golf course and the only Universal Studios theme park in Southeast Asia.

Part of the beach in the public park and nature reserve has been closed to assist in the clean-up effort. Sentosa Beach will remain open to the public but beach activities and swimming are prohibited.

Workers in orange scrubs were seen cleaning up a deserted beach in Sentosa on June 16. Black water washed ashore, streaked with oil.

Authorities have deployed 18 craft to clean up the spill, and have placed nearly 1,500 metres of container cranes and temporary floating barriers to contain the spill. They said more will be deployed in the coming days to prevent oil from reaching shore and to recover oil spilled offshore.

Conservationists and biologists are monitoring the full extent of the damage to marine life and wildlife. Local conservation group Marine Stewards said there were pictures of dead fish, otters and kingfishers covered in oil.

Oil spills suffocate fish, birds and marine animals, forcing them to surface for air, such as turtles and dolphins, said Sue Ye, founder of the Marine Stewards group.

Ngoc Anh (according to AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/singapore-gap-rut-don-sach-dau-tran-sau-vu-dam-tau-nhien-lieu-post299501.html