Image courtesy: Singapore’s Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, fb.
Singapore’s Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said on Thursday (20 June) that much progress has been made in cleaning up the oil spill that happened few days ago. Meanwhile, the minister for transport said port congestion played no part in the allision on June 14 as their port waters and anchorages are not congested.
To remind, an allision was reported on June 14 between a Netherlands-flagged dredger, Vox Maxima, and a stationary Singapore-flagged bunker vessel, Marine Honour which was alongside a container vessel berthed at the Pasir Panjang Terminal.
“Some members of the public have asked if this incident was due to congestion in our port waters,” Chee Hong Tat said in a posting on Facebook.
“Investigations are still on-going, but preliminary findings show that the allision on 14 June was caused by the dredger experiencing sudden loss of engine and steering controls. It is not due to port congestion as our port waters and anchorages are not congested. The earlier reports on delays experienced by container vessels are a separate matter that is due to the bunching of container vessels arriving at PSA,” the minister noted in the Facebook post.
“Dredger Vox Maxima had reported a sudden loss in engine and steering control before its allision with bunker vessel Marine Honour on 14 June 2024. Investigations by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) are ongoing,” the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said also in its release.
Image courtesy: Singapore’s Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, fb.
The company Van Oord (operators of the dredger Vox Maxima), however, mentioned on June 17 that its P&I insurer and flag state are also investigating the cause of this incident, and they cannot comment further whilst these investigations are ongoing.
“As responsible operators, we are fully insured with a leading member of The International Group of Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs and will meet our responsibilities and obligations in relation to this incident,” added Van Oord.
Chee Hong Tat highlighted in a post on June 20 the progress it was made in the clean-up, but it will still take some time before the oil will be completely removed, as he said. “Currently, we are focused on cleaning up the oil slicks and sheens from water and land which are visible through drone surveillance and satellite imagery. In the next phase, we would need to flush out stranded oil, such as those on oil-stained rock bunds.”
“So far, oil slicks at northern part of Pasir Panjang Container Terminal, the location of the oil spillage, has been cleared since 18 June.”
The minister made it clear that it will take time for MPA to complete the full investigations and progressively clean up the oil spill. “We seek the understanding of members of the public and businesses who are affected by this incident,” he said.
The company Van Oord (operators of the dredger Vox Maxima) reported on Thursday June 20 that the investigations into the cause of the incident are still ongoing.
“The captain and crew of the Vox Maxima continue to assist the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in their investigations, as well as with all other investigations necessary.
“We continue to work closely with the MPA and are offering our full support to the MPA. We are grateful for the efforts of all the responders and volunteers who are helping with the cleanup operation.
“Senior members of our response team have visited the captain and crew onboard the Vox Maxima to provide assurance and ongoing support as the vessel remains anchored in Singapore. Their continued well-being is a priority for Van Oord as is the ongoing cleanup operation.
“In respect for the investigations, we cannot comment further whilst these investigations are still ongoing,” reads the company’s statement.
