Kusu and St John's beaches cleaned up

Kusu and St John's beaches cleaned up

Beach waters at Kusu and St John's Islands have been declared free from oil pollution after a month- long clean-up operation in the wake of two ship collisions.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Sunday that its checks found the waters in the area have "returned to normal".

The beach at St John's Island was reopened to the public yesterday, while the one at Kusu Island was reopened on Feb 22.

On Jan 29, Hong Kong-flagged chemical tanker Lime Galaxy and China-flagged container ship Feihe collided around 2.7km south of Jurong Island. The next day, Panama- flagged container ship NYK Themis collided with the Singapore-registered barge AZ Fuzhou at the East Keppel Fairway about 4km south of Marina South.

The accidents caused container ships Feihe and NYK Themis to spill about 280 tonnes and 400 tonnes of fuel oil respectively.

On Feb 11, another collision about 10km south of the mainland resulted in some 80 tonnes of bunker fuel to pour into the Singapore Strait off Sebarok Island, said MPA.

It added that it was told the collision was between Liberia-flagged container ship Hammonia Thracium and Panama-flagged chemical tanker Zoey.

The Transport Ministry said it takes a "serious view" of the three recent oil spills in Singapore waters and will continue to work with local and international organisations on preventive measures.

For more information and updates on the clean-up operation, visit the NEA website, its Facebook page or Twitter (@NEAsg).

jermync@sph.com.sg


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