Clean-up operations at beaches affected by oil spill likely to be completed in about one month

SINGAPORE – Clean-up operations at all beaches affected by the oil spill will likely be completed in the next one month or so, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said in Parliament on Aug 7.

She was responding to a question posed by Mr Dennis Tan (Hougang) on the status of clean-up efforts following the oil spill incident at Pasir Panjang Terminal on June 14.

“The first phase has been completed, and the second phase – focusing on areas which are difficult to clean – is well under way. Some beaches have progressed to the final phase where volunteers are mobilised to help,” said Ms Fu.

The first phase of the clean-up focused on removing oil slicks and contaminated sand from the surface of the affected beaches, and deploying booms to avoid further contamination.

The next phase is aimed at removing oil from difficult-to-clean areas like rock bunds and breakwaters, and oil that was trapped deeper in the sand. 

In the final phases, beaches are combed to remove “tar balls” – small oil deposits that have hardened and mixed with sand.

Sentosa’s Siloso Beach reopened ahead of schedule on Aug 3

after extensive cleaning efforts sped up the process. The work was completed in 1½ months – half the time it was originally expected to take.

The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said on Aug 3 that Palawan Beach and Tanjong Beach will be reopened in August after cleaning is completed.

Several parts of East Coast Park have also been reopened

for land-based activities, said Ms Fu.

Since July 29, clean-ups at East Coast Park Areas B, E, and G have been completed, and cordons have been lifted. The other areas – C, D, F,and H – remain closed.

Mr Tan also asked about the total expenses incurred for the clean-up of the beaches and coastal waters, if the Government had an estimate on the losses suffered by local businesses as a result of the pollution, and for an update on the assistance given to these affected businesses.

In response, Ms Fu said that the Government has not totalled up the expenses, as the attention has so far been focused on the clean-up operations.

Correction note: In an earlier version of the story, we said that since July 22, clean-ups at Areas B and E have been completed, instead of saying that clean-ups have been completed at Areas B, E, and G since July 29. This has been corrected.