MPA holds 16th joint oil spill exercise to test incident response

It was held at the Western Anchorage off Pasir Panjang Terminal.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) held its 16th Joint Oil Spill Exercise to test inter-agency and industry coordination and response to oil spill incidents in the Port of Singapore.

The exercise involved over 100 personnel from 18 agencies and companies, including terminal operators on Jurong Island and Pulau Bukom, which activated emergency protocols and deployed company-owned vessels to simulate dispersant spraying operations.

The exercise, held at the Western Anchorage off Pasir Panjang Terminal, also involved MPA patrol craft and the deployment of protective booms to aid in clean-up efforts and minimise operational disruptions. Observers from groups such as JTC and the Singapore Land Authority were present.

MPA showcased new technologies designed to improve oil spill response. One demonstration involved the KOBOT, a compact remote-operated oil recovery robot developed by South Korea's KOAI Co., Ltd. 

Supported by Hyundai Corporation and Singapore's BKR Engineering, the KOBOT is suited for use in shallow and confined waters, such as marinas and canals. Measuring 4.5 by 1.5 metres and weighing around 160 kilograms, the robot can be deployed using a lightweight crane and operated remotely by a single person, enabling access to areas that conventional oil skimmers cannot reach.

MPA is also collaborating with the Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine Singapore and ST Engineering's Commercial Aerospace division to test hyperspectral imagery for detecting oil slicks below the water surface. This technology, still under development, aims to enhance spill detection in challenging environments, such as low-light conditions.

These technological demonstrations are part of MPA's ongoing efforts to enhance oil spill response and incident management capabilities, whilst providing opportunities for innovators to test and develop their solutions.