Oil on Singapore beaches after collision with Dutch ship

Several beaches in Singapore are closed due to an oil spill. The leak occurred yesterday after a collision between a local ship and a dredger sailing under the Dutch flag.

The collision occurred at a port terminal on Sentosa, an island popular among tourists in the south of Singapore. Singapore port authorities said last night “that the affected oil tank has been isolated and the spill has been contained”.

The oil slick has now affected three beaches near the port. This concerns the beaches of Tanjong, Palawan and Siloso. On Siloso there is a sign with a warning: “Oil slick spotted. Clean-up work in progress. Do not enter the water.”

Floating barriers must prevent further spread of the oil. It is not clear how much oil has leaked.