Four Dutch crew members have admitted guilt in connection with a significant oil spill in Singapore, which is being labeled the worst in the city-state in a decade. The incident occurred when their dredger, the Vox Maxima, collided with the bunker-fuel vessel Marine Honour at a shipping terminal in June 2024.
The crew members—Richard Ouwehand, Martin Hans Sinke, Eric Peijpers, and Merijn Heidema—pleaded guilty to one charge each under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. They acknowledged that they did not fulfill their responsibilities properly during the incident. Their sentencing is set for April 2, and they could face fines of up to S$50,000 or prison time of up to two years, or possibly both.
The collision resulted in damage to ten cargo oil tanks, leading to repair costs that could exceed S$6.6 million, which is around $5 million. Following the spill, oil was carried by tidal currents over 30 kilometers (about 18 miles) to the east of the island. The clean-up operation took more than two months to complete, highlighting the significant environmental impact of the incident.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and responsibility in maritime operations, especially in busy shipping areas like Singapore.