The oil spill after the collision of two b[ds_preview]ox ships off Singapore still keeps the authorities busy. Meanwile, the shipowners face clean-up dues.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) continues to coordinate the clean-up efforts of the oil spillage in Singapore’s waters following the collision of »Wan Hau 301« (2,495 TEU) and »APL Denver« (4,250 TEU). The incident occurred on 3rd January off Pasir Gudang Port.
»Good progress has been made in containing and cleaning up the oil spillage. No new patches of oil have been spotted along East Johor Straits«, the MPA said in a statement. However, clean-up operations are still on going at Changi Point Ferry Terminal, fish farms at Nenas Channel, and at Noordin beach, northern coastline of Pulau Ubin. Response vessels as well as containment booms and spill recovery equipment such as harbour busters, skimmers and absorbent booms and pads have also been deployed.
In the meantime, Malaysian authorities commented on the incident, that the owners of two containerships may have to pay money in a security bond. According to local reports, $ 223,500 were named as payment obligations.
Government officials were quoted saying the bond is an instrument which is supposed to ensure that the shipowners would »take responsibility for the cleaning-up«“. In addition, the Department of Environment also ordered to detain the two ships to get them to immediately pay up MYR 1m each or face legal action.
300 tons of bunkers spilled in the waters, after the vessels collided. After the collision the authorities announced an oil spill of 300 tons. The Master of »APL Denver« had reported that one of its bunker tanks sustained damage. As of yesterday, a total of 17 vessels and 222 personnel have been deployed. Progress of the clean-up is being made along the western coastlines of Pulau Ubin (OBS Jetty) and Nenas Channel.
