The Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said an oil spill occurred at around 5:40 pm local time on 28 October during a bunkering operation between a Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier and a licensed bunker tanker, reports CNA.
Bunkering accident leads to Oil spill
The MPA said an estimated 5 tonnes of bunker fuel had overflowed during the bunker operation with bulker. “MPA craft arrived at about 5.50pm and sprayed dispersants. Relevant government agencies have been alerted to keep a lookout for any oil sighting along the shores,” the MPA said in a statement. The MPA said that there was no impact to navigational traffic. In an update MPA said: “As at 8am this morning, there is no oil sighted at sea in the vicinity of the incident and ashore.”
It is the third oil spill reported in Singapore waters this year. In June this year more than 400 tonnes of very low sulphur fuel oil were spilt when Netherlands-flagged dredger, suffering a sudden loss of engine and steering control, hit stationary bunker vessel at Pasir Panjang Terminal.
On 20 October, there was an oil leak from a land-based pipeline between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil.
The latest bunkering spill comes at a time when pilots and trials are taking place on the safe bunkering of alternative fuels such as ammonia which poses a different risk to oil spills due to its high toxicity.
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Source: CNA
