The 16th Joint Oil Spill Exercise (JOSE) took place this morning alongside the 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference, organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
This biennial exercise, conducted since 1998, aims to assess inter-agency and industry coordination in responding to oil spill incidents within the Port of Singapore. This year’s JOSE involved over 100 personnel from 18 agencies and companies, featuring both a table-top exercise and a practical deployment at the Western Anchorage, near Pasir Panjang Terminal.
Terminal operators from Jurong Island and Pulau Bukom activated their emergency protocols, deploying company-owned craft to spray dispersants and using protective booms to facilitate clean-up efforts and minimize operational disruptions. Various nature and community groups were invited to observe the exercises.
MPA also showcased new technologies aimed at improving oil spill response. Additionally, MPA collaborated with the Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine Singapore (TCOMS) and ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace to test hyperspectral imagery for detecting oil slicks beneath the water’s surface. This technology captures a broad spectrum of wavelengths, enhancing the ability to distinguish oil from water in challenging conditions. While promising, this capability requires further development before it can be operationalized.
The ongoing exploration of new technologies aims to enhance incident management capabilities, including oil spill response, and provide a platform for innovators to test their solutions.
