Collision between MT Bunga Kelana 3 and MV Waily in the Singapore Strait – MPA Update

May 26, 2010

Following the collision between the Malaysian-registered tanker, MT Bunga Kelana 3 and the St Vincents and The Grenadines-registered bulk carrier, MV Waily at about 6:03am on 25 May 2010, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has been co-ordinating the containment and clean up efforts of the resultant oil spill.

Upon notification of the incident, MPA had immediately dispatched four patrol and emergency response craft to the affected area. MPA also activated oil spill response companies to deploy their craft.

Revised estimates from AET, the operator of MT Bunga Kelana 3, indicate that some 2,500 tonnes of crude oil could have spilled into the sea. A helicopter recce by the Republic of Singapore Air Force at 2:20pm found an oil slick measuring 4 kilometres by 1 kilometre located about 6 kilometres south of Changi East.

As at 5.30pm, more than 85 personnel were on site as part of the containment and clean up efforts. A total of 20 craft, comprising 5 from MPA, 5 from the Malaysian authorities and 10 from oil spill response and other companies were on site.

The response craft are equipped with 41 tonnes of non-toxic and bio-degradable oil spill dispersants, 1,500 metres of containment booms and 2 skimmers with fast tanks. The dispersants help to break the oil slick into smaller globules to facilitate biodegrading by micro-organisms. The containment booms are used to contain the oil slick and to facilitate collection by skimmers and fast tanks.

Beyond the efforts at sea, MPA has worked with AET to have on standby, 200 personnel to clean up our coastlines should the need arise.

In addition, MPA is working with relevant agencies such as the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore, National Environment Agency, National Parks Board, Police Coast Guard and Republic of Singapore Navy. MPA has also alerted marinas, sea sports centres, ferry terminals and other waterfront facilities to be prepared for possible impact arising from the oil spill.

MPA has notified and is working with the Indonesian and Malaysian authorities in line with the Standard Operating Procedure for Joint Oil Spill Combat in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOP). The SOP is part of the trilateral arrangement among the three littoral states of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore known as the Revolving Fund Committee (RFC). The RFC meets annually to discuss issues relating to oil spills and to update the SOP.

Efforts to contain and clean up the oil spill are ongoing. The oil spill and the containment and clean up efforts have not affected traffic in the Traffic Separation Scheme of the Singapore Strait.

Further details will be released when available.

ISSUED BY THE MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE (MPA)

For clarifications, please contact:
Ms Serene Tan
MPA media hotline: (65) 8366-2294
Email: Serene_Tan@mpa.gov.sg

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