Singapore oil spill: Siloso Beach largely cleaned, over 140,000 kilograms of oil-soaked sands scooped up during cleaning drive

The oil spill cleanup drive is at the moment ongoing in a number of affected seashores in Singapore. Sentosa, one of the affected areas, has made “good progress”, the Sentosa Development Corporation said on Facebook.

As per a Facebook submit, over 140,000 kilograms of oil-soaked sands have been faraway from totally different seashores within the space since June 15.

“We have some excellent news to share! We have made good progress with the seashore clean-up, having eliminated over 140,000 kg of oil-soaked sand from Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong Beach since Saturday, June 15, 2024,” the submit learn.

However, the official Facebook web page of Sentosa mentioned that “there’s nonetheless work to be completed”.

While the Siloso Beach shoreline is largely cleaned now, the cleanup drive is specializing in clearing oil on rock bunds and breakwaters since 21 June 2024.

“This is a difficult and time-consuming activity,” it mentioned. “These areas are tougher to entry than the shoreline, with uneven surfaces and oil slipping into boulder crevices.”

SDC mentioned they’re working with specialists utilizing specialised cleaning strategies to completely flush out the oil and clear it from the lagoon.

The spill was brought on after a dredger, Vox Maxima, hit and ruptured one of the oil cargo tanks of a bunker vessel, Marine Honour, on the Pasir Panjang Container Terminal (PPT).

Earlier on June 20, Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, visited Tanjong Beach and Siloso Beach on Sentosa with MOS Alvin Tan to know the continuing seashore cleanup work there.

The lawmaker has urged individuals to be affected person and understanding whereas the clean-up course of is ongoing.

Several seashores have been closed since experiences emerged concerning the oil spill.