MPA: Claims exceeding liability of “Marine Honour” owner will be made against international fund

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (2 July) said the economic losses caused by the contamination of Singapore waters, following an allision between two vessels, can be submitted for claims assessment by British Marine, the insurer of Marine Honour. 

The Singapore-flagged stationary vessel was hit by Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima on 14 June, which resulted in an oil spill in Singapore waters.

One of Marine Honour’s oil cargo tanks reportedly ruptured, releasing 400 metric tonnes (mt) of low-sulphur fuel oil into the sea.

A contact email to receive claims from affected parties has been set up and affected businesses can write to [email protected] to enquire.

In accordance with international and local laws, MPA said the owner of the bunker vessel is liable up to the limits prescribed in law for the damage. 

“Claims exceeding the liability of the owner of Marine Honour will be made against the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund 1992, which has a higher limit,” MPA added in a statement. 

On the clean-up response to the affected areas, MPA said the next phase of joint efforts on the focused cleaning of the difficult-to-reach areas on land and coastlines is in full swing using specialised equipment for the clean-up efforts. 

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Related: Singapore: Oil spill cleanup after allision between dredger “Vox Maxima” and bunker tanker “Marine Honour”

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 3 July, 2024