Special equipment deployed at East Coast Park for next phase of oil spill cleanup

While the worst of Singapore's largest oil spill in over a decade has been cleared from the shorelines of East Coast Park, remnants still remain on structures like rock bunds and pier walls.

- Lee Li Ying

Over time, the oil remnants have begun to dry and harden, making them more difficult to remove. As the waves crash repeatedly against the oil-stained beach structures, there is a risk of oil leaching, polluting the sea with oil sheens.

Special equipment like marine firefighting pumps, boats capable of operating in shallow waters, and high-pressure wash units are now being deployed at East Coast Park in the second phase of the cleanup.

This stage is expected to take three months, with public areas to open progressively after the work is done.

During a media visit organised by the National Environment Agency (NEA) on June 28, trained crew on a boat were seen using high-pressure streams of water to dislodge oil from tainted pier walls.