Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
Singapore authority MPA was alerted at about 1:00 pm local time on Sunday to an oil leakage from a Shell land-based pipeline, and steps have been taken to clean up the oil sighted in the vicinity of the leak.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on Sunday it was alerted to an oil leakage from a Shell land-based pipeline between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil, which occurred at around 5:30 am local time on Sunday October 20.
In a new update on Monday the authority said that an estimated 30 to 40 metric tonnes of slop, a mixture of oil and water, was leaked from its land-based pipeline into the water.
“The leak was reported to have stopped at source,” it said in a media statement on Sunday.
As it is furthermore reported by MPA, “Shell has placed containment booms off the site of the leak and has also deployed craft equipped with dispersants to clean up the oil sighted in the vicinity of the leak.”
Meanwhile, MPA has deployed seven MPA craft equipped with dispersants together with craft from its contractor Singapore Salvage Engineers.
The authority has also activated its drones and satellite capabilities to assist with the sighting of the oil spill.
Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
Relevant government agencies have been alerted and to report any oil sightings, MPA said, adding that there are no new oil sightings as at 6:00 pm local time.
MPA’s Port Operations Control Centre has issued navigational safety broadcasts to ask passing vessels to keep clear of the site, it added, mentioning also that there is no impact to navigation safety.
In a media release on Monday, the MPA reported that as a precautionary measure a current buster system has been deployed off Changi at the entrance to the East Johor Strait to collect oil slick, if sighted, and prevent potential spread beyond its port waters. Another current buster system has also been deployed to the west of Singapore, as a precautionary measure.
Agencies are working closely with Shell to clean up the leaked oil in the channel between Pulau Bukom and Bukom Kecil. As 21 October at 3 pm local time, there are no other oil sightings.
Investigations into the incident are currently ongoing.
Clean-up of oil in the channel between Pulau Bukom & Bukom Kechil is progressing. There are no other oil sightings at sea and ashore as at 3pm (SGT). Agencies will continue to monitor for oil sightings. pic.twitter.com/VTHNTQ5Y8J
— MPA Singapore (@MPA_Singapore) October 22, 2024
