Steps to Ensure Oil Spills Are Cleaned Up and Not Endanger Human and Marine Life

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment in respect of the estimated five tonnes of oil reported to have overflowed during the bunkering operations off Changi (a) what are the steps taken by the Ministry with its agencies and other bodies to ensure that the waters around the affected area are cleaned up and do not endanger human and marine life; and (b) what are the plans by the Ministry to work with the relevant agencies and MPA to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.

The Member may refer to written Parliamentary Question No 11 answered on 12 November 2024's Sitting, on the oil spill incident which occurred on 28 October 2024. [Please refer to "Impact on Local Wildlife and Environment from Oil Spill off Changi on 28 October 2024", Official Report, 12 November 2024, Vol 95, Issue 146, Written Answers to Questions section.]

For more details on measures that have been implemented by agencies to reduce the risk of oil spill incidents, the Member may also refer to the response by Minister of State for Transport, Mr Murali Pillai, to Parliamentary Questions on the recent oil spill incidents at the 11 November 2024 Parliament Sitting. [Please refer to "Adequacy and Effectiveness of Oil Sighting and Alert Mechanisms, and Maritime Incident Response and Mitigation Strategies", Official Report, 11 November 2024, Vol 95, Issue 145, Oral Answers to Questions section.]