Singapore authorities have already begun clean-up operations after a spill that is hitting part of the southern coast and is raising concerns for wildlife.
The Netherlands-flagged dredger ‘Vox Maxima’ collided with the fuel supply ship ‘Marine Honor’, coming from Singapore, damaging its cargo tank and causing an oil spill into the sea.
In a statement on Saturday, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said the ship’s fuel spill had been contained and that fuel leaking from the damaged tank had been treated with dispersants.
However, due to the tidal current, the treated fuel spread along the coast, including the tourist island of Sentosa, and other islands on the south coast, a nature reserve and a public park.
Part of the beach at the public park and nature reserve was closed to facilitate cleanup efforts, officials said. Sentosa beach will be open to the public, but with restrictions, with no activities in the sea allowed.
Conservation experts and biologists are monitoring the full extent of damage to marine life and wildlife. Local conservation group Marine Stewards said there were images of dead fish, otters and kingfishers covered in the oil spill.
Source: Observadora
