Oil leak at Johor terminal stopped, clean-up ongoing at Pulau Ubin and Changi Beach

SINGAPORE: The oil leak at Langsat Terminal near the mouth of the Johor River has been halted, with clean-up operations under way for an oil patch sighted off Pulau Ubin and along Changi Beach. In a joint statement on 4 April, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), National Environment Agency (NEA), Singapore Food Agency (SFA), and National Parks Board (NParks) confirmed that the Johor Port Authority had informed MPA of ongoing clean-up efforts at Langsat Terminal. The agencies reported that clean-up operations have also commenced for an oil patch detected along the north-eastern coast of Pulau Ubin and Changi Beach. "As a precautionary measure, booms will be deployed at Chek Jawa Wetlands in Pulau Ubin to protect biodiversity-sensitive areas," the statement said. It added that SFA is working with fish farms in the East Johor Strait to ensure necessary precautions are taken. Drones and satellite imagery are being utilised to monitor surrounding waters for any additional oil patches.

Public advised to avoid Changi and Pasir Ris beaches

Minister for National Development Desmond Lee shared an update on Facebook regarding the situation at Pulau Ubin. He stated that MPA teams were swiftly deployed on 3 April to mitigate the oil spill after the patch was first spotted off Pulau Ubin in the evening. Oil was later observed along Changi Beach. The public has been advised to refrain from swimming and engaging in water activities at Changi Beach and Pasir Ris Beach. Certain sections of Changi Beach will be cordoned off to facilitate clean-up efforts. At present, no additional oil patches have been sighted either at sea or on land. Authorities continue to closely monitor the situation. As a precaution, Chek Jawa Wetlands in Pulau Ubin will be temporarily closed to the public. NParks will deploy booms in the waters off Chek Jawa at daybreak on 4 April.

Ongoing monitoring efforts

MPA reiterated that no further oil patches have been detected but confirmed that monitoring efforts remain in place. The oil patch was first observed at 7.10 pm on 3 April in the eastern Johor Strait, near the north-eastern coast of Pulau Ubin. MPA deployed three patrol craft and an oil spill response craft to survey the affected area and implement mitigation measures. The authorities have assured the public that they will continue to track developments and provide updates as needed.

Recent oil spill incidents highlight ongoing maritime challenges

On 5 February, approximately 23 tonnes of diesel oil leaked from a damaged shore fuel hose at the Police Coast Guard’s (PCG) Brani base. The spill was caused by micro-cracks that developed in the hose due to cyclical stresses from routine coiling and uncoiling. Over time, these cracks led to a tear, resulting in the leak, according to Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development in response to MP's question during 27 February Parliamentary sitting. In December 2024, a suspected leak at Shell’s oil processing unit on Pulau Bukom released several tonnes of refined oil products. Clean-up operations were promptly initiated after oil sheens were detected at the site. Earlier, in June 2024, a major oil spill occurred following a collision between the Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima and the Singapore-flagged bunker vessel Marine Honour at Pasir Panjang Terminal. The incident resulted in the release of approximately 400 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel oil into the sea. Extensive clean-up efforts involving 800 personnel and 2,300 volunteers were carried out, successfully concluding ahead of schedule in September. On 20 October, another spill occurred when 30 to 40 tonnes of oil-water mixture, or “slop,” leaked from a Shell pipeline into the waters between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil. Just days later, on 28 October, around 5 tonnes of oil overflowed during a bunkering operation involving a Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier and a licensed bunker tanker. The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) classifies oil spills of less than 7 tonnes as small. Larger spills such as the June 2024 collision underscore the ongoing challenges Singapore faces as a key maritime hub.