Vox Maxima accident: Northern part of Pasir Panjang Terminal cleared of oil slicks

The northern part of the Pasir Panjang Container Terminal (PPT) is cleared of oil slicks, following the deployment of the Current Buster, an oil recovery and containment system, since 18 June, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said. Thorough cleaning of the oil-stained Berth 36 near the allision area using high-pressure jets is ongoing.    

PPT was the location of the oil spillage following the 14 June allision between Netherlands-registered dredger Vox Maxima and stationary bunker tanker Marine Honour. 

The deployment of the Current Buster at this upstream location is important to prevent surface oil from flowing westwards towards West Coast Park which is unaffected till date, and also eastward towards downstream locations, including Sentosa beaches, Sentosa Cove, Southern Islands and Keppel Marina, said MPA.

The oil recovery operations at sea are guided by MPA’s and Meteorological Service’s predictive modelling of tidal and wind conditions, and drone & satellite imagery. 

Total length of booms deployed since 14 June is 3400 meters. This is more than the approximate 3100 meters originally planned, said MPA.

Also, MPA added that “to date, none of our fish farms have been affected by the oil spill. Nonetheless, as a precautionary measure, the Singapore Food Agency has taken fish samples from coastal fish farms in the East Johor Strait for food safety tests. The test results confirmed that our local fish are safe for consumption.”

Containment booms have also been laid at the mouth of Keppel Marina to facilitate the clean-up efforts of the accumulated oil.