MPA deploys spill response resources after sightings of oil patches near Semakau landfill

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has activated its oil spill response contractors after several patches of oil were sighted off Pulau Sebarok, Pulau Semakau and Selat Pauh.

The affected islands and waterway are between Pulau Bukom and Sentosa.

In a news release on Sunday (Nov 1) afternoon, MPA said it was alerted to a sighting of oil in waters off Pulau Sebarok, to the east of Semakau landfill.

Its aerial surveillance subsequently confirmed several patches of oil off Pulau Sebarok, Pulau Semakau and Selat Pauh.

There were no sightings of oil patches near West Coast, Sentosa, Southern Islands and East Coast.

The authority said it has activated its oil response contractors and terminals in the area have also been directed to deploy their spill response resources.

Meanwhile, relevant agencies have been alerted to take precautionary measures to protect the shorelines, if necessary, while ships in port have also been asked to report any sightings of oil patches.

Other agencies in the country's oil spill response operations typically include: the National Environment Agency, the National Parks Board, Sentosa Development Corporation, and Singapore Food Authority.

There is presently no impact to navigation traffic and port operations, the authority said.

"MPA is continuing with surveillance, working with agencies and terminals to mitigate and clean up the oil patches, and investigating the source of the oil," it added.

新加坡海事及港务管理局 (MPA) 在 Pulau Sebarok、Pulau Semakau 和 Selat Pauh 附近发现多处油污后，已启动其溢油应急承包商。

受影响的岛屿和水道位于布科姆岛和圣淘沙岛之间。

在周日（11 月 1 日）下午发布的新闻稿中，MPA 表示，他们接到通知，在塞马高垃圾填埋场以东的 Pulau Sebarok 附近水域发现了石油。

其空中监视随后证实了士巴洛克岛、实马高岛和士拉保岛附近有几块石油。

西海岸、圣淘沙、南部岛屿和东海岸附近均未发现油污。

该机构表示，已启动石油泄漏应急承包商，并已指示该地区的码头部署其溢油应急资源。

与此同时，相关机构已接到通知，如有必要，将采取预防措施保护海岸线；同时，港口内的船舶也被要求报告任何发现油污的情况。

该国其他参与溢油应急行动的机构通常包括：国家环境局、国家公园局、圣淘沙发展局和新加坡食品局。

该机构表示，目前航行交通和港口运营未受影响。

“MPA正在继续进行监测，与各机构和码头合作，以减轻和清理油污，并调查石油来源，”声明补充道。