Owners Set to Pay RM1 Million as Spill Clean Up Continues Following Container Ship Collision

Owners of both vessels are set to pay a RM1 million ($223,588) bond to ensure the spill's clean up.

The Singapore Maritime Port Authority (MPA) today announced that "good progress" has been made in clean up efforts following a bunker spill resulting from a collision between container vessels WAN HAI 301 and APL DENVER earlier this week, while local media reports that owners of both vessels are set to pay a RM1 million ($223,588) bond to ensure the spill's clean up.

As Ship & Bunker has reported, MPA Wednesday announced that a collision between the two container ships off Pasir Gudang Port, Johor, Malaysia on January 3 had resulted in a 300 tonne bunker spill.

"The Department of Environment has also issued an order to detain the two ships to get them to immediately pay up RM1 million each to the government or face legal action," said Datuk Ayub Rahmat, Malaysia's State Health and Environment Committee chairman.

"If they fail to pay, the government will hold on to their ships in accordance with Section 38 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974."

Ayub says the deposit would be returned if the government deems the clean up to be satisfactory, but noted that the total cost for the clean up would be claimed from the vessel owners.

"Good progress has been made in containing and cleaning up the oil spillage. No new patches of oil have been spotted along East Johor Straits," said MPA, noting that clean up operations are still underway at the Changi Point Ferry Terminal, Nenas Channel fish farms, and Noordin Beach, as well as the northern coast of Pulau Ubin. 

"MPA and the other government agencies are monitoring the situation closely and will carry out necessary clean-up efforts. Port operations remain unaffected," added the port authority.