Oil patches have been spotted at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, following the collision of two ships in the Singapore Strait yesterday.
This contradicts AET, the operator of the oil tanker involved in the collision, which said the oil would not spread out of the containment zone, according to The Straits Times.
An estimated 2,500t of light crude oil has been spilled into the busy shipping lane following the collision of the Malaysian tanker MT Bunga Kelana 3 and the bulk carrier MV Waily.
The clean-up efforts involve 15 vessels, 120 personnel and 50t of dispersant.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said non-toxic and bio-degradable oil spill dispersants are being used to break up the slick, according to Reuters.
Tidal and wind conditions are likely to play an important role in the containment and clean-up efforts, according to the MPA.