Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima experienced a sudden loss in engine and steering control on 14 June, causing it to collide into Singapore-flagged Marine Honour at Pasir Panjang Terminal, Singapore. This caused one of the vessel’s oil cargo tanks to rupture and spill fuel oil into the sea. The oil was carried to beaches and parks around Singapore and also to the island of Sentosa.
The incident has sparked an intense clean-up effort across Singapore with workers laying out 3,400 m of booms and oil recovery operations at sea that rely on predictive modelling of tidal and wind conditions, and drone and satellite imagery.
Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said on Facebook the port authority had quickly ensured there were no further leaks from the vessel and sprayed dispersant to treat the spilled oil when the accident occurred. Chee added that the incident was not due to port congestion.
