In light of a recent oil spill off Pulau Bukom, Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) has issued a warning advising the public to refrain from swimming and engaging in primary contact water activities at several popular beaches. The advisory, released on October 21, 2024, comes after an estimated 30 to 40 metric tonnes of slop— a mixture of oil and water— leaked from a Shell pipeline into the sea on October 20.
The affected areas include East Coast Park, Kusu Island, St John’s Island, and Lazarus Island. The NEA emphasized that this precautionary measure is in place as they continue to monitor the situation closely. For updates on beach water quality, the public is encouraged to visit the NEA’s official website.
The oil spill was attributed to a leak from a Shell pipeline connecting Pulau Bukom and Pulau Bukom Kecil, which resulted in visible oil sheens in the waterway between the two islands. Although the leak was contained by approximately 3 PM on the day of the incident, Shell has taken immediate action by deploying containment booms, anti-pollution vessels, and dispersants to mitigate the spill’s impact.
In a joint statement from nine government agencies, it was confirmed that they are collaborating with Shell to manage the cleanup efforts. As of 3 PM on October 21, no additional oil sightings have been reported in other areas, including Sentosa, Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, and Labrador Nature Reserve.
To further safeguard the environment, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has implemented precautionary measures, including the deployment of current buster systems to collect any potential oil slicks and prevent their spread beyond Singapore’s port waters. Oil-absorbent booms have also been strategically placed at various locations, including Sentosa and East Coast Park, to protect sensitive coastal ecosystems.
Despite the ongoing cleanup, all beaches and shorelines remain open for land-based and non-water activities. The National Parks Board has confirmed that public areas at Labrador Nature Reserve and West Coast Park are still accessible.
In response to the spill, the national water agency PUB is actively monitoring seawater intake at its desalination plants, with no oil detected near the Jurong Island and Marina East Desalination Plants. Operations at these facilities continue as normal, and precautionary measures have been implemented at the Marina Barrage.
As the situation develops, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has advised fish farmers to remain vigilant, although no farms have reported any adverse effects from the spill thus far. The community is urged to stay informed and adhere to safety advisories as cleanup efforts continue.