Oil leak clean-up at Changi, Pasir Ris beaches to take several days

SINGAPORE: The Chek Jawa Wetlands in Pulau Ubin were reopened to the public on Saturday (Apr 5), following an oil leak at Langsat Terminal in Johor two days earlier. 

In a Facebook post, the National Parks Board (NParks) said it would continue to monitor the biodiversity-sensitive areas closely, while the booms that had been pre-emptively placed at the wetlands would be "progressively removed".

"To prevent any further impact, we will let the oil residue at the affected areas at Chek Jawa Wetlands break down naturally," it added.

Clean-up operations on the shorelines of Changi and Pasir Ris following an oil leak at Langsat Terminal in Johor are expected to be completed "within the next few days", Singapore authorities had said on Friday. 

Areas affected by the leak remain cordoned off to facilitate the operations, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), National Environment Agency (NEA), NParks, Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and national water agency PUB said.

As of 4pm on Friday, there were no visible oil patches off Pulau Ubin or new oil sightings at sea, the authorities added.

An oil sheen was observed at several fish farms along the East Johor Strait, and SFA is working on mitigation measures with them, with support from MPA. It is also assisting other farms with preventive measures, including by providing absorbent pads. 

SFA is also testing seafood from farms in the East Johor Strait as well as imported seafood as a precaution. 

In an update on Saturday, SFA said on Facebook that test results of seafood from other farms in the East Johor Strait and imported seafood so far "showed no cause for concern".

It added that oil sheen was observed at several fish farms and one farm, De Kelong, was "significantly impacted" more than others.

"To ensure food safety, De Kelong farm has temporarily stopped the sale and distribution of its seafood stock and is also actively working on clean-up efforts," SFA added.

NParks, meanwhile, has carried out visual assessments of the biodiversity-sensitive areas in the vicinity of where oil has been spotted, and is conducting post-impact surveys.

"Thus far, there has been no observable impact to wildlife at Chek Jawa Wetlands, Changi Beach Park and Pasir Ris Park," the authorities said.

Malaysia's Department Of Environment said on Friday that the leak had been successfully controlled as of noon, and the situation would continue to be monitored.

The department added that an estimated 1.6 cubic metres, or 1,600 litres, of oil spilt into the sea as a result of the leak. 

Preventive measures have also been implemented at coastal drains and key locations such as Chek Jawa, and around fish farms in the East Johor Strait.

PUB has also deployed containment booms across the tidal gates at Punggol and Serangoon reservoirs as a precautionary measure.

These measures will remain in place until further assessment.

The authorities advised the public against swimming and participating in other water activities at Changi Beach and Pasir Ris Beach until further notice.

When CNA arrived at the stretch of beach near Changi's Car Park 6 at 10.30am, about 100 bags of oil-soaked sand had already been manually scooped up with shovels.

There were four workers in the vicinity, and CNA understands that around 20 have been deployed throughout Changi Beach.

CNA has contacted NEA with questions about clean-up operations.

The oil leak has also reached the northern coast of Pulau Ubin and Pasir Ris Beach.

Area 1 of Pasir Ris Park was cordoned off when CNA got there at 4pm. A construction worker said clean-up operations were undertaken at the beach in the morning. 

A layer of oil was observed on the water near the shoreline. Coconut shells, disposable plastic containers and other pieces of trash were also fully covered in oil.

At Changi, a group of about 90 students and four teachers were left disappointed after a planned excursion to the intertidal zone there was cancelled.

"The students were very excited and even brought another pair of shoes to change into. But we still decided to come as there was a plan B to show them artefacts of marine creatures instead," a teacher who declined to be named told CNA.

Staff at a bicycle shop near the Pulau Ubin jetty said that footfall and business for the day had not been affected.

Mr Tek, a taxi van driver working on the island, said 12 people had booked a van to pick them up from Chek Jawa Wetlands tomorrow, but changed their plans after they heard about the oil spill.

When CNA arrived at the entrance of Chek Jawa, 3.3km from the jetty, the gate was closed and a security guard was standing at the front.

A light oil sheen was observed at parts of the wetlands on Friday morning, said National Development Minister Desmond Lee.

"The main area impacted is at the Mangrove Boardwalk, where oil residue has been observed on some rocks and mangrove tree roots," he said in a Facebook post, adding that the intertidal areas were largely unaffected,

No oil sheen was observed at the beaches and bridges of Pulau Ubin, Mr Lee added.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said in a Facebook post on Friday that PUB is closely monitoring seawater intakes for any abnormalities. 

MPA said in a Facebook post on Thursday night that it was in contact with the Johor Port Authority.