Shell Singapore faces charges for 2024 Pulau Bukom oil leaks and delayed reporting
Shell Singapore was charged under the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act for two oil-mix releases from its Pulau Bukom facility in 2024 and for not reporting them promptly.
On Tuesday, Shell Singapore was formally charged for two separate discharges of oily mixtures from its Pulau Bukom refinery in 2024, violating the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act. The first spill occurred on 20 October, releasing roughly 40 tonnes of oil-water slurry through a pipeline breach, with the company notifying the port master at about 12:55 pm. The second incident spanned 26-28 December, discharging an estimated 485 kg to 956 kg of a similar mixture, which was reported at 11:50 am on 26 December.
The National Environment Agency is also pursuing prosecution, and Shell’s legal team asked for an eight-week postponement to gather internal instructions and counsel. The court has adjourned the matter to October, with potential fines ranging from S$1,000 to S$1 million for the occupier and up to S$5,000 for delayed reporting, plus possible imprisonment for individuals.
Why it matters
The case highlights enforcement of marine pollution laws and corporate accountability for environmental incidents.
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