Singapore

Grace Fu reports progress in oil spill cleanup: Rock bund cleaning underway

Image Credits: UnsplashImage Credits: Unsplash
  • Significant progress has been made in the initial phase of the oil spill cleanup, with 550 tonnes of oil-soaked sand and debris removed.
  • The next phase focuses on the challenging task of cleaning rock bunds, requiring specialized resources and equipment.
  • Long-term monitoring of biodiversity and water quality is ongoing to ensure the safety and restoration of affected areas.

The recent oil spill in Singapore has prompted an extensive cleanup operation, with significant progress reported by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu. The focus has now shifted to the challenging task of cleaning rock bunds, a critical step in restoring the affected coastal areas.

Initial Response and Progress

The oil spill, which occurred on June 14, resulted from a collision between a Netherlands-flagged dredger and a Singapore-flagged bunker vessel. The spill affected several beaches, including Sentosa, East Coast Park, and Labrador Nature Reserve. Over 700 personnel from various agencies, including the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and the National Environment Agency (NEA), have been deployed for the cleanup operations.

Grace Fu highlighted the significant progress made in the initial phase, which involved removing oil slicks and contaminated sand from the beaches. "About 550 tonnes of oil-soaked sand and debris from the affected beaches have been removed," she stated. More than 3,400 meters of booms have been deployed to prevent further contamination.

The Challenge of Rock Bund Cleaning

The next phase of the cleanup focuses on the more complex task of cleaning rock bunds and other hard-to-reach areas. Rock bunds, which are coastal structures made of large rocks, present a unique challenge due to their uneven surfaces and the oil trapped in crevices. "Oil that has slipped into the boulder crevices needs to be thoroughly flushed out," Grace Fu explained.

This phase will involve specialized resources and equipment to ensure that the cleaning is done effectively while minimizing the risk of re-pollution. The Singapore Civil Defence Force has deployed a Rapid Response Fire Vessel to support the cleaning operations at Siloso Beach.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

The cleanup operations are being conducted with careful consideration of environmental and safety factors. The government is mindful of the need to protect biodiversity-sensitive areas and ensure the safety of workers navigating the slippery and uneven terrain of the rock bunds. "We are working with oil spill consultants to deploy the most effective methods for cleaning while minimizing contamination to surrounding areas," the MPA stated in a joint release.

Long-Term Monitoring and Future Steps

The authorities are also monitoring the long-term impacts of the oil spill on biodiversity and water quality. Even after the beaches are cleaned and reopened, swimming and water activities will only resume once the water quality is deemed safe. Grace Fu emphasized the dynamic nature of the oil spill situation, noting that some oil remains dispersed within the water column and could resurface, affecting other areas.

The cleanup of more heavily impacted areas, such as Tanjong and Palawan beaches, is expected to take around three months. For less affected areas, like Siloso Beach and certain stretches of East Coast Park, the cleanup is anticipated to be completed earlier.

The oil spill cleanup in Singapore is a testament to the coordinated efforts of various agencies and the resilience of the community. As the focus shifts to the more challenging task of rock bund cleaning, the commitment to restoring the affected areas and protecting the environment remains unwavering. The progress made so far is encouraging, and the continued efforts will ensure that Singapore's coastlines are restored to their pristine condition.


Read More

Transport Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
TransportJuly 8, 2025 at 4:00:00 PM

Trust AI like you trust planes—but only if we regulate it first

You board a plane and trust a system you can’t see. Pilots speak a language you don’t understand. Flight paths, air traffic control,...

Credit Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
CreditJuly 8, 2025 at 4:00:00 PM

What’s the difference between credit rating and credit score?

Most working adults have heard the terms “credit score” and “credit rating” thrown around in conversations about loans or investments. It’s easy to...

Financial Planning Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
Financial PlanningJuly 8, 2025 at 3:30:00 PM

Is 'revenge saving' helping or hurting your financial plan?

Some people cope with stress by spending more. Others cope by spending less—but not always for the reasons you'd expect. In recent months,...

Culture Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
CultureJuly 8, 2025 at 3:30:00 PM

A colleague betrayed my trust at work—should I report it or let it go?

Let’s cut the fluff. If you’ve been betrayed by a colleague—someone who went behind your back, took credit for your work, or fed...

Travel Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
TravelJuly 8, 2025 at 3:30:00 PM

We flew long-haul with babies—it was chaos, but we made it

There’s a moment at the boarding gate that every parent of young children knows too well. It’s not just the juggling of passports,...

Investing Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
InvestingJuly 8, 2025 at 2:00:00 PM

AI stock market hype is real—but here's the risk no one talks about

If you’ve been anywhere near the stock market in the past year, you’ve probably heard it: “AI is going to change everything.” The...

Culture Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
CultureJuly 8, 2025 at 1:30:00 PM

Why startups are quietly filtering out candidates who value work-life balance

Some founders call it grit. Others call it drive. But at more startups than you’d expect, there’s a quiet hiring filter in place:...

Tax Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
TaxJuly 8, 2025 at 1:30:00 PM

Why it’s time to close the litigation funder tax loophole

There’s a multibillion-dollar hustle hiding in the legal system—and no, it’s not just ambulance chasers or billable-hour lawyers. It’s litigation funding, the financial...

Health & Wellness Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
Health & WellnessJuly 8, 2025 at 1:30:00 PM

How to lower high blood pressure naturally—and rebuild your system

Most people don’t feel it. That’s the risk. High blood pressure—also known as hypertension—affects nearly half of American adults. But many don’t know...

Relationships Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
RelationshipsJuly 8, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Encouragement for mothers in public goes further than you think

There’s a moment many mothers never forget—not the birth itself, or the first steps, but the quiet collapse that happens in public. It...

Dining Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
DiningJuly 8, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Why pickle juice is suddenly everywhere in your cocktails

There’s something strange happening at your local bar. That soft pop behind the counter? It’s not just a beer can. It might be...

Insurance Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
InsuranceJuly 8, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Medicare changes for retirees in 2026

If you thought Medicare was some distant, retiree-only thing that didn’t affect you until your hair turns gray—think again. A major financial shake-up...

Load More