Authorities respond to oil overflow involving Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Ines Corrado.
SINGAPORE – An oil spill occurred off Changi on October 28 during a bunkering operation between a Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier, Ines Corrado, and a licensed bunker tanker. Approximately five tonnes of oil overflowed during the operation, which ceased immediately following the incident.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reported that the spill happened at 5:40 PM and deployed response craft to the site within minutes. Dispersants were sprayed to break the oil into smaller droplets, allowing it to mix with water.
Impact and Precautionary Measures
The spill has not disrupted navigational traffic, and no oil has been sighted at sea or ashore as of October 29, according to MPA. Nearby government agencies and Malaysian authorities have been alerted to monitor for potential oil sightings along local shores.
As a precautionary measure, MPA deployed a Current Buster system to recover oil if detected. The system, which uses skimmers to collect oil from contaminated water, can process up to 50 cubic meters of oil in one operation.
Incident Under Investigation
The bulk carrier involved, Ines Corrado, was en route to Tianjin, China, as confirmed by global ship-tracking data. The MPA has launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.
This marks the third oil-related incident in Singapore waters since June.
June 14, 2024: A major spill of 400 tonnes of fuel occurred after a vessel collision at Pasir Panjang Terminal, affecting several beaches including East Coast Park and Sentosa. Cleanup efforts lasted over two months.
October 20, 2024: A pipeline leak on Bukom Island released 30-40 tonnes of slop (oil and water mixture) into the sea, prompting clean-up efforts by nine government agencies and Shell.
As with previous incidents, authorities have advised the public to avoid water activities in affected areas, though no such restrictions have been issued for this latest spill.
