Singapore oil spill: Clean up completed ahead of schedule, says minister

The clean-up operations from the effects of the 14 June bunker spill in Singapore have been completed ahead of schedule, said Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu. 

The oil spill took place after Netherlands-registered dredger Vox Maxima hit stationary bunker vessel Marine Honour, causing fuel from the bunker vessel’s cargo tank to spill into Singapore waters. 

She said 800 cleaning personnel and 2,300 volunteers were involved in the clean-up effort while 3,750 tonnes of debris were removed. 

“Swimming and primary contact activities have resumed at some beaches. The National Environment Agency (NEA) will continue to conduct water quality tests at remaining affected beaches,” she said in a social media post.

“We hope that water quality will return to safe levels so that swimming and primary contact activities can resume at all beaches soon.”

Manifold Times previously reported Singapore bunker supplier Straits Bunkering and QBE Insurance (Singapore), which uses the brand name British Marine, has taken a step closer in securing liability limitation from the bunker spill.

PSA Corporation will not be contesting the right for Straits Bunkering, owner of bunker tanker Marine Honour, and British Marine to limit their liability, showed documents obtained from the court by Manifold Times.

The latest development paves way for Straits Bunkering and British Marine to limit their liability, whereby a ceiling of 4,510,000 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) valued at approximately SGD 8 million will be deposited by QBE Insurance into a local bank account.

Claims exceeding the liability limitation of Straits Bunkering, owner of bunker tanker Marine Honour, will meanwhile be made against International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund 1992 which has a much higher limit of SGD 362 million.

Note: Latest updates on beach water quality can be found here.

Related: Singapore: Straits Bunkering a step closer in securing SGD 8 million bunker spill liability ceiling
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Photo credit: Facebook/Grace Fu
Published: 4 September, 2024