Singapore’s Sentosa beaches closed after oil spill from ship collision at Pasir Panjang Terminal

Sentosa Development Corp., which manages the island, was alerted on Friday night to “instances of oil spillage in the sea waters” around one of its beaches as a result of an accident between two vessels at the terminal, according to a notice to Sentosa residents on Saturday.

Upon further assessment on Saturday morning, the oil slick had spread to other beaches on the island, as well as Sentosa Cove, a residential enclave with more than 2,000 homes, according to the notice. It said all of the beaches have been closed to activities and a clean-up has commenced.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said on Friday evening that it was dealing with an oil spill that occurred after Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima hit Singapore-flagged bunker vessel Marine Honour at the Pasir Panjang Terminal in the afternoon. The authority said then that the affected cargo tank has been isolated “and the spill contained.”

A thick smell of petroleum hung over Tanjong Beach on Saturday morning, where black oil coated sand and rocks on the near-deserted shoreline. Clean-up crews and lifeguards wearing protective gear worked metres away from beach volleyball players, who continued with their game even though some said the smell was causing them headaches.

Tanjong Beach Club, which is normally bustling with guests on weekends, was largely empty. Scattered tables with a handful of diners looked over the shoreline, which was blocked off with tape and warning signs.