Singapore authorities have reported a recent oil leak at the Police Coast Guard’s Brani base, resulting from a damaged fuel hose. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday at approximately 11:40 am, led to the leakage of around 23 tonnes of diesel oil. The spill was contained and isolated by 3:40 pm, preventing any significant environmental impact.
Response and Cleanup Efforts
Following the discovery of the oil leak, the Singapore Police Force, Maritime and Port Authority (MPA), and National Environment Agency (NEA) released a joint statement confirming that no oil slicks were observed in the surrounding waters. However, small patches of light oil sheens were detected, prompting the deployment of patrol craft and spill response resources to address the situation.
Contractors were swiftly mobilized to support cleanup operations, ensuring that the affected areas were promptly remediated. Fortunately, navigational traffic in the vicinity remained unaffected, with operations at the Port of Singapore proceeding as usual.
In a separate statement, the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) reassured the public that there were no oil sightings or odors at the beaches under its jurisdiction. As a precautionary measure, SDC deployed a combination of oil absorbent and deflective booms to safeguard the shores and marine environment, allowing guests to continue enjoying water activities without disruption.
Previous Oil Spills in Singapore
The recent incident at the Brani base adds to a series of oil spills that have occurred in Singapore’s waters over the past months. In December, Shell shut down an oil processing unit at Pulau Bukom due to a suspected leak, resulting in the release of refined oil products and cooling water discharge. Similar incidents have also been reported, highlighting the ongoing challenges in preventing and managing oil spills in the region.
One notable event took place in June when an oil spill transpired following a collision between two vessels at the Pasir Panjang Terminal. The incident led to the release of approximately 400 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel into the sea, necessitating extensive cleanup efforts involving hundreds of personnel and volunteers.
In another instance, a Shell land-based pipeline leaked a mixture of oil and water into the sea, underscoring the risks associated with oil-related activities in maritime environments. Despite efforts to contain and mitigate the spills, such incidents serve as reminders of the importance of stringent safety measures and robust response protocols to safeguard marine ecosystems.
As the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) classifies oil spills of less than 7 tonnes as small, it is crucial for authorities and industry stakeholders to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing potential environmental threats arising from oil-related operations. By enhancing monitoring, response capabilities, and regulatory oversight, Singapore can mitigate the risks posed by oil spills and uphold its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability.
