In Singapore, charges have been brought against Shell in connection with oil and liquid spills into the sea in two separate incidents that occurred in 2024.

Details of the Incidents

The court has accused Shell Singapore’s subsidiary of failing to promptly report incidents that resulted in oil mixtures being released into the sea from facilities on Pulau Bukom Island. According to charges under the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act, approximately 40 tons of oil mixture were discharged into Singapore’s waters through a pipeline leak at the Shell Singapore Energy and Chemicals Park refinery. This incident took place in October 2024 at around 8:00 a.m. local time. Notification to the port authorities was sent nearly five hours after the event.

The company stated that the oil was drained into a containment area, but some of it entered the water channel between Bukom Besar and Bukom Kechil islands. No injuries or fatalities were reported as a result of the incident.

Two months later, it is estimated that between 485 and 956 kilograms of oil mixture were discharged from the same facility over a two-day period. Again, authorities were notified several hours after the incident occurred.

Legal Consequences

If the company is found guilty of discharging oil or oil mixtures into Singapore’s waters, it faces a fine ranging from 1,000 to 1 million Singapore dollars (approximately 781.5 to 781,497 US dollars). An individual found guilty of a similar offense may also face up to two years in prison.

For late or incomplete reporting of oil mixture discharges, the maximum fine is 5,000 Singapore dollars.

Further Proceedings

The case has been adjourned until October 20. Shell is also facing legal action from Singapore’s National Environment Agency regarding the same incidents.