Mr Zainal Sapari: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry in view of the noise, water and air pollution generated by activities at Loyang Offshore Supply Base affecting residential areas near Jalan Loyang Besar, whether any environment impact analysis was carried out in granting approval for the expansion of the Loyang Offshore Supply Base.
Written Reply by Mr Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry
1. The Loyang Offshore Supply Base (LOSB) is currently operated by Toll Offshore Petroleum Services (TOPS). LOSB has been operating in the Loyang area since 1970, and consists of port facilities, offices, warehouses, storage facilities and workshops. It functions as an offshore logistics hub for more than 200 leading oil and gas services companies such as Weatherford, CGG Veritas, and Subsea 7.
2. In Oct 2006, TOPS announced its intention to invest $400 million to redevelop LOSB into a world class oil & gas logistics and engineering hub. The groundbreaking for the five-year redevelopment was conducted in 2009. As part of the redevelopment, TOPS committed to substantially reduce the land occupied by LOSB from 52 hectares to 32 hectares while intensifying the usage of the remaining 32ha. Contrary to Mr Sapari’s understanding, LOSB’s footprint was reduced as a result of this redevelopment, and was not expanded.
3. The LOSB is sited on land zoned for general industry use, or “Business 2 (B2)”, under URA’s Masterplan, and is located more than 500 metres away from the nearest residential premises. The regulation of noise, water and air pollution is addressed under NEA and MPA’s environmental protection frameworks. For example, the companies operating at LOSB may be required to carry out the necessary technical studies to ascertain the potential impact, and put in place pollution control measures to comply with noise, water and air pollution regulations which govern such industrial activities.
4. NEA and MPA have worked, and will continue to work with, companies based at LOSB to ensure that any pollution arising from industrial activities within LOSB are properly controlled and managed. For example, to address recent noise complaints on ships berthed at the LOSB, NEA has required the company to provide quieter generator sets to the bigger vessels and prohibit any works from being conducted after 10pm.
5. The Government will continue to monitor the situation at LOSB, and require the LOSB to take further mitigating measures where necessary, in order to minimise any negative impact to the surrounding residents. At the same time, members of the public can also give feedback to the authorities if they have any concerns, using One Reporting Centre, the integrated online service for citizens to lodge reports.