Dredger power loss preceded allision and oil spill off Singapore, says MPA
Ship reported a sudden loss of engine power and steering control before colliding with a bunker vessel and rupturing one of its oil cargo tanks
Oil recovery efforts at sea are continuing. Authorities have closed off several beaches, but navigation traffic in the lanes governed by the Traffic Separation Scheme and port operations remain unaffected
THE 2009-built dredger Vox Maxima (IMO: 9454096) reported a sudden loss of engine power and steering control prior to colliding with a stationary bunker vessel and causing an oil spill in Singapore waters last Friday, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
In a statement, the MPA said investigations were ongoing while oil clean-up efforts continue.
“The master of the vessel and its crew are currently assisting in investigations,” it stated.
The allision ruptured an oil tank on board the 9,003 dwt bunker ship Marine Honour (IMO: 9422811), which was alongside a containership berthed at the Pasir Panjang Terminal when incident occurred, spilling about 400 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel oil into the sea.
Due to tidal currents, parts of the spillage reached southern shorelines including Sentosa, Labrador Nature Reserve, Southern Islands, Marina South Pier and East Coast Park — despite prompt oil spill response measures.
The MPA said that as of 1330 hours local time on 16 June 2024 there were no signs of an oil slick within the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, but oil sheen was observed in surrounding waters.
Meanwhile, no slick was reported in the Traffic Separation Scheme of the Singapore Strait, meaning navigation traffic and port operations there are unaffected.
The MPA added it was closing off some beaches in the affected areas to facilitate clean-up work.
“The public is advised to keep away from these areas to facilitate the clean-up operations,” it said.
Close to 1,500 meters of containment booms have been progressively deployed since last Friday at several locations, while another 1,600 metres of booms will be laid over the coming days to prevent any further oil spread, according to the statement.
Additionally, dispersants are being used to help break down the oil sheen into droplets to aid biodegradation.
Oil Spill Response Limited, the largest international industry-funded cooperative providing oil spill response services, is supporting the oil recovery efforts.