Malaysia’s Department of Environment (DOE) on Friday (4 April) said the recent oil spill at Tanjung Langsat Port Terminal in Johor was caused by a leaky pipeline transferring Very Low Sulphur Fuel (VLSFO) to Singapore-flagged bunker tanker MT Epitome at the jetty.

DOE’s director-general Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said the department received a complaint on the oil spill at the terminal on 3 April. 

“It is estimated that 1.6m³ of oil spilled into the sea,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said there were no visible oil patches off Pulau Ubin and no new oil sightings at sea as of 4pm on 4 April.

“Clean-up of the beaches at Changi and Pasir Ris is ongoing. The bulk of the clean-up is expected to be completed within the next few days,” it said in a statement.

“The affected areas remain cordoned off to facilitate clean-up operations.”

Oil sheen have also been observed at several fish farms along East Johor Strait. 

“The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is working closely with the affected farms on mitigation measures, with support from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore,” MPA said.

“SFA is also assisting other farms to take preventive measures, such as providing absorbent pads. As a precautionary measure, SFA is also testing seafood from farms in the East Johor Strait and imported seafood.”

The National Parks Board (NParks), together with research partners, has carried out visual assessments of the biodiversity-sensitive areas in the vicinity of the oil patches this morning, and post-impact surveys are underway. Thus far, there has been no observable impact to wildlife at Chek Jawa Wetlands, Changi Beach Park, and Pasir Ris Park.

Preventive measures, including the deployment of booms, have been put in place at coastal drains including Changi Creek, Sungei Tampines, and Sungei Api Api, as well as key locations such as Chek Jawa and around fish farms in the East Johor Strait. 

As a precautionary measure, national water agency PUB has also deployed containment booms across the tidal gates at Punggol and Serangoon Reservoirs. These measures will remain in place until further assessment by the relevant agencies.

Public access to affected areas remains restricted. Members of the public are advised to refrain from swimming or engaging in other water activities at Changi Beach and Pasir Ris Beach until further notice. 

MPA first reported that the oil patch was sighted in the eastern Johor Strait off the northeastern coast of Pulau Ubi at 7.10pm on 3 April. MPA was in contact with the Johor Port Authority, who confirmed an oil spill incident within the Langsat Terminal at the time. 

Note: For the latest advisories, please refer to the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) website (www.nea.gov.sg), NEA’s Facebook page, NParks’ website (www.nparks.gov.sg), and NParks’ Facebook page.

Related: Oil leak at Johor terminal stopped, clean-up ongoing off Pulau Ubin and Changi Beach

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 7 April, 2025