Singapore’s authorities are taking swift action in response to an oil leak from a Shell pipeline, which occurred at Pulau Bukom on 20 October 2024. With booms deployed across key areas, the government is doing its best to contain the situation.
A Precautionary Approach
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has advised the public to steer clear of swimming and any primary contact water activities at beaches including East Coast Park, Kusu Island, St John’s Island, and Lazarus Island. This is just good sense as no one wants a surprise oil bath!
Containment Efforts Underway
- Oil-absorbent booms have been strategically placed in the canals and at critical points in East Coast Park and West Coast Park.
- At Sentosa, the beaches of Tanjong, Palawan, and Siloso remain open for activities, as there have been no signs of oil.
- The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) is closely monitoring the situation and has deployed booms around the three beaches and other areas.
Monitoring Water Quality
National water agency PUB has reported that, as of 21 October, there are no oil traces near the Marina East Desalination Plant or the Jurong Island Desalination Plant. Quality readings remain normal—good news for all of us!
When the Leak Happened
The leak started early on the 20th at around 5.30 am and was only reported to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) later that day at approximately 1 pm. Shell confirmed that by 3 pm, operations to stop the leak were completed, but they are still assessing the total volume that may have spilled into the sea.
Cleanup and Future Precautions
As part of the response team, MPA, along with Singapore Salvage Engineers, have deployed boats and technical specialists to clean up the spill. Drones and satellites are also being utilised to track the extent of the oil leak. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries or fatalities, which is a small blessing in such incidents.
This latest incident brings back memories of a similar oil spill back in June that led to several beach closures. Let’s hope for a swift recovery so we can all enjoy Singapore’s beaches without a worry!