To test and demonstrate Singapore's readiness to respond effectively to oil spills at sea, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) led a multi-agency joint oil spill exercise (code-named JOSE 2008) on Friday, 17 October 2008, from 8.30am to 1pm. In addition to 16 anti-pollution craft, JOSE 2008 also showcased for the first time an aerial dispersant application by an aircraft. A hundred personnel from various agencies took part in this operational exercise located at sea about 2.8 kilometres (or 1.5 nautical miles) from Raffles Lighthouse. See Annex 1.

"As the world's major hub port, it is vital that Singapore remains vigilant at all times," said Capt M Segar, MPA's Group Director (Hub Port). "MPA, together with other agencies and the industry, has drawn up comprehensive contingency plans which are tested via regular, multi-agency exercises to ensure the country's preparedness to respond to marine incidents. Since 2000, JOSE has been a biennial affair, reflecting our strong commitment to protect the environment. This year's exercise demonstrates the close co-ordination of both aircraft and vessel based dispersant spraying systems in the busy waters of the port and Singapore Straits. This further ensures an effective and swift response to oil spill incidents, should prevention fail."

JOSE 2008 involved a scenario where a very large crude carrier (VLCC),'Moon Shadow'(299,999 dwt), carrying 290,000 tonnes of light crude oil, was hit by an oil tanker MT (motor tanker), 'Sun Explorer' (8,722 dwt), carrying 7,700 tonnes of marine fuel oil. At that time, the VLCC was leaving the traffic separation scheme to discharge its cargo at Shell SBM. After the collision, the VLCC suffered severe damage to two of its cargo tanks containing 32,310 tonnes of crude each, while the oil tanker's bow was damaged. The VLCC leaked around 8,000 tonnes of crude into the sea, causing potential threat to the environment. The ship master of the VLCC immediately reported the incident to MPA's Marine Safety Control Centre and requested for assistance.

The first response craft arrived within 30 minutes. This was immediately followed by a Hercules aircraft equipped with an aerial spray system, introduced this year to provide a swift and efficient response to a large spill with higher treatment rate than previous exercises. This is in addition to the sprays from dispersant boats and oil containment booms deployed around the VLCC as well as further downstream.

JOSE 2008 saw close cooperation among MPA, Shell Eastern Petroleum Pte Ltd, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the Police Coast Guard (PCG), the Agri-Food Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), the National Environment Agency (NEA), the National Parks Board, oil spill response companies, and six oil terminals. The exercise was observed by international participants of the Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON 2008), held from 15 to 17 October, at Shangri-La Hotel. JOSE 2008 also involved a tabletop incident management exercise at MPA's Port Operations Control Centre 2 (POCC2) at PSA Vista. The aircraft used at the exercise was sponsored by Shell Eastern Petroleum Pte Ltd, ExxonMobil Marine Fuels, Prosper Marine Service Pte Ltd and Oil Spill Response and East Asia Response Limited (OSRLEARL).

In this exercise, no crew member was injured. Both ships were also not in danger of sinking. The VLCC dropped anchor inside the port, while the oil tanker proceeded to Raffles Reserved Anchorage.

End of release.

Annex 1: Chart

About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.

About the Port of Singapore
The port of Singapore comprises a number of facilities and terminals that handle a wide range of cargo transported in different forms, including containers as well as conventional and bulk cargo. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is responsible for the overall development and growth of the port of Singapore, which includes terminal operators, such as PSA Corporation and Jurong Port Pte Ltd.

About Singapore Maritime Week
Singapore Maritime Week is the leading annual maritime event in Singapore. Driven by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), it is a gathering of the international maritime community in Singapore for a week of international conferences, dialogues, exhibitions and social events in celebration of all things maritime. The range of activities and events organised by the MPA, industry and research and educational institutions, as well as the cosmopolitan atmosphere and profile of participants, reflect the vibrancy and diversity of Singapore as a major international maritime centre. Singapore Maritime Week is fast becoming the "must-attend" event in the hearts and minds of the maritime community. The 3rd Singapore Maritime Week which kicked off on 10 October with the inaugural Singapore Nautical Run, will end on 19 October 2008.