Following a significant oil spill incident on June 14, 2024, Singapore’s government agencies are set to seek compensation from the owner of the Singapore-flagged bunker vessel Marine Honour. The vessel was struck by a Netherlands-flagged dredging boat, Vox Maxima, leading to the leak of approximately 400 tonnes of fuel into Singapore’s waters. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) announced on June 20 that the owner of Marine Honour is held liable for the spill costs under Singapore’s Merchant Shipping (Civil Liability and Compensation for Oil Pollution) Act of 1998.

This legislation is Singapore’s implementation of the 1992 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, which establishes strict liability for oil pollution damage. According to MPA, this means that the shipowner is responsible for the costs incurred, even if they were not at fault for the incident. The authority emphasized the ‘polluter pays’ principle, which simplifies the claims process by designating a clear responsible party, thereby avoiding potential disputes over fault.

MPA stated that Singapore’s government will seek compensation for all expenses related to the containment and cleanup of the oil spill, including any damage to infrastructure that occurred as a result. Costs that can be reasonably attributed to the spill, such as economic losses and environmental damage, will also be included in the claims.

For those affected by the incident, MPA has provided contact information for British Marine, the insurer of Marine Honour, to facilitate third-party claims. Affected parties can reach out via email at [email protected].

In the aftermath of the incident, Singaporean authorities confirmed that cleanup operations had been effective. By 5 PM on June 19, the oily sand on St John’s, Lazarus, and Kusu islands had been cleared, and the oil slicks on the northern part of Pasir Panjang Terminal had been removed.

This incident marks a significant event in Singapore’s maritime history, with the last major oil spill occurring in early 2014 due to a series of ship collisions that resulted in 760 tonnes of fuel contaminating the waters. The current situation has reignited discussions on maritime safety and environmental protection measures in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, emphasizing the need for stringent regulations and effective response strategies to prevent such incidents in the future.