Insurance firm to pay for oil spill clean-up on Johor beaches, says exco man

KOTA TINGGI: The insurer of a vessel in the ship collision that caused the oil spill in Singapore waters has appointed a contractor to handle the clean-up at Sungai Rengit and Teluk Ramunia here.

Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the company has appointed a capable contractor and will bear all costs.

“After coordination among various parties and agencies, clean-up operations on both beaches officially commenced this morning (Friday, June 21) at 9.30am.

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“The Johor Environment Department (DOE), Kota Tinggi district office, the Marine Department and other agencies will monitor the clean-up to ensure that the oil-contaminated beach areas are restored to their original condition,” he said in a statement.

Ling added that the authorities will also keep watch on the sea surface and remain on standby.

“Johor DOE and the Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) will continue to collaborate and share information to effectively resolve this oil pollution incident,” he said.

The oil split occurred on June 14 when the Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima reportedly hit the stationary Singapore-flagged bunker vessel Marine Honour at the Pasir Panjang Terminal in Singapore.

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Ling said Johor DOE received information from Singapore’s NEA on Tuesday (June 18) about the spillage of an estimated 400 tonnes of oil.

“Due to rough sea conditions over subsequent days, the oil spill drifted into Malaysian waters, reaching Pengerang.

“On the morning of Wednesday (June 19), traces of oil were discovered on the beaches of Sungai Rengit and Teluk Ramunia, contaminating approximately 1km of coastline,” he added.