Singapore Grapples with Biodiversity Impact from Oil Spill as Cleanup Efforts Intensify

The environment is a growing concern for Singapore following an oil spill that has affected the country’s water body systems, including the most bio-diverse one. This has occurred following an accident in which two tankers collided off the southern coast of the island state, which has led to large-scale clean-up operations and increased consciousness regarding the environmental consequences of the shipping industry.

The oil spill happened when the Dutch-registered dredging vessel Vox Maxaaw sank after being involved in an accident with a Singapore-registered anchored bunker ship, Marine Honor. This embarrassing incident, which let out roughly 400 metric tonnes of oil, has since been followed by cleaning up processes and evaluations of the damages done to the surroundings.

Preliminary surveys on St. John’s and Lazarus Islands, conducted by the National Parks Board (NParks), showed no immediate significant impact on marine biodiversity. However, experts caution that the true effects may take time to manifest, with potential long-term consequences for the ecosystem.

The concern here for regions like Sentosa and Berlayer Creek is that they are sensitive regions as they embrace a lot of biodiversity. The island, known as Sentosa, is equipped for tourism and conveys treated oil on the watershore, especially on the luxury beaches and lagoons. In the latter region, a photo of sand and, most importantly, fauna affected by oil illustrates the spill’s presence in these parts.

N. Sivasothi from the National University of Singapore, who began studying mangroves, added that the higher effects might affect mangrove areas and rocky sea cliffs located in the Labrador Nature Reserve and the Southern Islands. These areas, considering that they are closer to the spill source, are more vulnerable to environmental impacts. The expansion of the oil price to eastern waters, including off the Changi naval base, adds another layer to the problem.

NParks and SDC have personnel on the ground taking charge of the clean-up and restoration process, which entails clearing the fallen trees and any debris left behind. There are absorption barriers employed to stop further oil from getting to the shores and marshes. Images: NParks said it is continuing to assess the effects of bleaching on marine habitats such as reefs, corals, and aquatic wildlife, and it is ready to undertake repair works if required.

Two collared kingfishers were found stricken by the oil spill and were evacuated to a wildlife rehabilitation facility, but unfortunately, one of them expired. Media release and public education sustained by both NParks and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) is also involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of animals affected by the oil spill. The public has been urged to report sightings of distressed wildlife to help with rescue efforts.

The oil spill remains a major threat to Singapore’s action plan to protect the marine environment, especially at a time when Singapore is preparing to establish its second marine park. Some areas that the spill has impacted relate to Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, proving that some parts of the marine protected areas are sometimes prone to maritime incidents.

Due to the incident, there have been debates on corporate social responsibility and the duties that industries have to the environment. The Ocean Purpose Project suggests that emissions-creating sectors should participate in cleanup sessions and donate equipment to those on the front lines. Society is demanding that firms go beyond efforts to reduce carbon emissions to take responsibility for their other environmental impacts.

This is an important lesson that Singapore has learned while conducting its clean-up process today, and this is the fact that the environment is at risk from the operations of maritime businesses. These have valorized the importance of sound regulatory frameworks, viable crisis management measures, and corporate accountability in the conservation and rehabilitation of the affected marine environment.

Nominate for the Brands & Business Magazine Awards: https://bbmagz.com/awards-nomination/