As a result, Vox Maxima drifted towards nearby vessels. While one ship, Super Hero, managed to change course and avoid a collision, Marine Honour was struck on its starboard side.
In June 2024, a collision between two vessels at Singapore’s Pasir Panjang Terminal resulted in the country’s worst oil spill in a decade. The Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima lost control and hit the Singapore-flagged bunker vessel Marine Honour, causing serious damage and a significant oil spill.
The crew of Vox Maxima conducted maintenance work on the ship’s electrical system. However, they forgot to close a circuit breaker, which affected the ship’s power. Later that day, when the ship was getting ready to leave, this mistake caused the system to overload, making the ship lose control of its steering and movement.
As a result, Vox Maxima drifted towards nearby vessels. While one ship, Super Hero, managed to change course and avoid a collision, Marine Honour was struck on its starboard side. The impact caused severe damage to multiple tanks, leading to an oil spill that spread across several coastal areas, including East Coast Park, Labrador Nature Reserve, Sentosa, and parts of Johor’s coastline.
Consequences of the Incident
The cleanup operation lasted over two months.
Repair costs for Marine Honour are estimated to exceed $6.6 million.
The environmental impact of the spill is still being assessed.
What Legal Action Was Taken Against the Crew?
4 Dutch crew members of Vox Maxima; ship master Richard Ouwehand, chief officer Martin Hans Sinke, second engineer Eric Peijpers, and third engineer Merijn Heidema were found responsible for the incident. They failed to properly check the vessel’s power system and did not take necessary action when steering was lost.
On March 12, 2025, they pleaded guilty under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. Prosecutors are seeking fines between $20,000 and $50,000 for each crew member. They could also face up to two years in jail. The court will decide their punishment on April 2.
The Vox Maxima disaster is a clear example of how small mistakes can have huge consequences. Now, Singapore’s maritime authorities are taking a closer look at safety rules to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.
For the crew, this mistake could cost them not just their jobs but also their freedom. With the court set to announce its verdict soon, the big question is. Was this just an accident, or a disaster that could have been avoided? One thing is certain: the damage done will take a long time to fix.
Acknowledgment
We extend our sincere appreciation to AsiaOne Online Pte Ltd for their detailed coverage of the Vox Maxima incident.
Media Gallery