Government Responds Swiftly; Clean-up and Support Measures Underway
An oil spill off Singapore’s southern coast in June 2024 is not expected to raise global shipping costs, according to Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat. The spill, caused when a dredger collided with a stationary bunker vessel at Pasir Panjang Terminal, released more than 400 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel oil into the water. Despite this, Chee emphasized that the incident was not a “structural or systemic” issue affecting the broader shipping industry. Operations for other vessels were unaffected, and Singapore’s reputation as a maritime hub remained intact.
The clean-up efforts are currently in the second phase, with teams focusing on hard-to-reach areas. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu announced that affected coastal businesses would receive rent deferrals on a case-by-case basis to support their cash flow. While large sections of beaches, including East Coast Park and Sentosa, remain closed, clean-up operations are expected to take three months.
Singapore has also taken proactive steps in monitoring food safety, ensuring that local and imported fish remain safe for consumption. Additionally, there has been no impact on the city’s water supply, with desalination plant sensors showing no abnormalities. The government continues to improve its safety protocols for future oil spill incidents and is exploring the risks associated with alternative fuels as part of its maritime decarbonization efforts.
