Shell faces scrutiny as delays and environmental concerns emerge following a 30-tonne oil spill near Bukom Island.
A significant oil spill originating from a Shell pipeline on October 20, 2024, has raised questions about the company’s response protocol after a 7½-hour delay in notifying authorities. The spill, which released 30 to 40 tonnes of oil and water into the sea between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil, occurred around 5:30 am. However, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was only informed at 1:00 pm.
Timeline and Response
Leak Detection: The spill was initially contained on land but later leaked into the sea.
Containment Efforts: Shell deployed booms and dispersant-equipped crafts, while the MPA activated additional crafts, drones, and satellite surveillance to monitor and mitigate the spill.
Clean-Up Completion: Operations concluded on October 29, with no immediate impact reported on Singapore’s marine and coastal ecosystems.
Key Concerns and Investigations
Delayed Alert:
Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai emphasized the need for Shell to notify authorities “as soon as possible” per standard protocol. Investigations will determine whether lapses occurred, potentially leading to enforcement actions.
Pipeline Integrity:
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has directed Shell to conduct a thorough pipeline inspection to minimize future risks.
Environmental Impact:
Authorities have not detected significant damage to marine life or fisheries. Monitoring of seawater at desalination plants also remains normal.
Broader Implications
The incident is the third major oil spill in Singapore’s waters within five months. A June spill released 400 tonnes of oil after a dredging boat collided with a bunker tanker. In late October, another spill of five tonnes occurred during a bunkering operation.
To address these recurring issues, Minister Murali and Senior Minister of State Amy Khor highlighted measures such as:
Enhancing surveillance using drones and patrol crafts.
Improving contingency plans based on lessons learned from past spills.
Reviewing mandatory safety protocols for vessels and industrial facilities.
Next Steps
The government is assessing the practicality of equipping vessels and facilities with more spill-response equipment while balancing port efficiency and safety. Investigations into the October spills are ongoing, with Shell and other responsible parties under scrutiny.
Shell has pledged full cooperation, reiterating its commitment to safety and regulatory compliance. However, the incident underscores the importance of swift action and robust preventive measures in safeguarding Singapore’s maritime and environmental integrity.
