When the Libyan oil tanker Alyarmouk and Singaporean cargo ship Sinar Kapuas collided off Pedra Branca last week, it created one of the largest oil spills in the Southeast Asian region in years — and now there are concerns that the oil slick might hit protected turtle nesting area on Bintan Island, Indonesia.
Channel NewsAsia reports that the estimated crude oil spill was about 4,500 tonnes (or 33,000 barrels). The spill has largely been contained through the usage of bio-degradable dispersants.
Though satellite images taken over the last few days showed that the oil spill has not spread considerably, TriplePundit reports that the agency has not ruled out the possibility that it would make landfall this weekend.
Furthermore, increased storm activity in the Singapore Strait is expected in the upcoming days, and may interfere with the cleanup and containment efforts.
Resorts in Bintan have been advocates of sea turtle conservation, all of which are considered endangered.
Photo: Luca5 via Flickr
When the Libyan oil tanker Alyarmouk and Singaporean cargo ship Sinar Kapuas collided off Pedra Branca last week, it created one of the largest oil spills in the Southeast Asian region in years — and now there are concerns that the oil slick might hit protected turtle nesting area on Bintan Island, Indonesia.
Channel NewsAsia reports that the estimated crude oil spill was about 4,500 tonnes (or 33,000 barrels). The spill has largely been contained through the usage of bio-degradable dispersants.
Though satellite images taken over the last few days showed that the oil spill has not spread considerably, TriplePundit reports that the agency has not ruled out the possibility that it would make landfall this weekend.
Furthermore, increased storm activity in the Singapore Strait is expected in the upcoming days, and may interfere with the cleanup and containment efforts.
Resorts in Bintan have been advocates of sea turtle conservation, all of which are considered endangered.
Photo: Luca5 via Flickr