Singapore Strait Is Relieved Of Oil Slick From Damaged Tanker

An oil slick in the Singapore Strait from the damaged tanker Natuna Sea has been dispersed and remaining oil on the vessel was being transferred, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on Wednesday.

The 5,249 ft. x 2,625 ft. (1,600 x 800 m) oil slick, which had escaped preventive booms placed around the vessel, had been successfully treated with dispersants, an MPA spokeswoman said. At least 7,000 tons of crude oil from estimated total of 40,400 tons was spilled after the Panama-registered tanker ran aground early on Tuesday in Indonesian waters off Batu Berhanti Beacon, approximately five miles south of Singapore.

The slick had been heading in a southwesterly direction towards southern Sumatra in Indonesia. The remainder of the oil on board the vessel was being transferred in blocks of 5,000 tons to other vessels, with the first transfer conducted successfully early on Wednesday.