Section 14

If any oil or mixture containing oil is discharged or escapes from any vessel into Singapore waters or into the sea outside the territorial limits of Singapore and the oil subsequently flows or drifts into Singapore waters, the owner of the vessel shall be liable for the costs of any measures reasonably taken by the appointed authority after the discharge or escape for the purpose of removing it and for preventing or reducing any damage caused in Singapore by contamination resulting from the discharge or escape.

Where the oil or mixture containing oil is discharged or escapes from two or more vessels and a liability is incurred under this section by the owner of each of them but the damage or cost of which each of the owners would be liable cannot reasonably be separated from that for which the other or others would be liable, the owners shall be liable, jointly and severally with the other or others, for the whole of the damage or cost for which the owners together would be liable under this section.

The reference in this section to the measures reasonably taken after the discharge or escape of oil for the purpose of preventing or reducing any damage caused by contamination resulting from the discharge or escape shall include actions taken to remove the oil from the water and foreshores or the taking of such other actions as may be necessary to minimise or mitigate damage to the public health or welfare, including, but not limited to fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public and private property, foreshores and beaches.

This section shall not apply where section 3 of the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution) Act [Cap. 180] applies.