Cleanup under way at two Johor beaches blackened by Singapore oil spill
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Malaysian authorities inspecting the area affected by the oil spill in Pengerang on June 19.
PHOTO: AZNAN TAMIN/FACEBOOK
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SINGAPORE – Cleanup efforts are under way at two beaches in south-east Johor, following an oil spill incident on the southern coast of Singapore on June 14.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) told The Straits Times that when oil slicks were observed off Changi on June 17,
“Our Malaysian counterparts informed us on June 19 that they have observed some oil slicks off Johor,” said MPA, adding: “We are sharing relevant information to facilitate their efforts.”
According to Malaysian news reports, the Johor authorities were alerted on June 19 to the presence of oil off Pengerang, located east of Changi and less than one hour away by ferry from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.
In a Facebook post on June 21, Johor’s health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said about 1km of Pengerang’s shoreline was affected. Traces of oil were found on the beaches at Sungai Rengit, a coastal town, and the nearby Teluk Ramunia.
He said cleanup operations started in the morning, with the Johor Environment Department, Kota Tinggi district office, the Marine Department and other agencies monitoring the progress. He added that the insurance company of a vessel involved in the June 14 incident had appointed a contractor to handle the cleanup. All costs will be borne by the insurer.
Photos and videos taken by residents of Sungai Rengit, a foodie destination for seafood lovers, show a blackened shoreline.
A marine salvage company employee told Sin Chew Daily that the fishermen there could not sell their catch in the market.
Harian Metro reported that some 200 fishermen in Sungai Rengit have not been able to go out to sea for days. Mr Rosli Mohd Ali, chairman of Pengkalan Sungai Rengit Fishermen’s Welfare Association, told the news outlet that many fishermen also had to throw away their oil-stained fishing nets, ropes and buoys.
On June 14, the Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima hit a stationary Singapore-flagged bunker vessel,
The impact created a rupture in one of the oil tanks of Marine Honour, causing 400 tonnes of fuel to leak into the sea.
The incident affected Singapore’s shorelines at Sentosa, Labrador Nature Reserve, the Southern Islands and East Coast Park, among other areas.
MPA said on June 20 that the Singapore authorities will seek compensation from the owner of Marine Honour for the costs of measures taken to contain and clean up the spill.
