Ayub told FMT the department was grouping the various agencies and resources to contain and treat the contamination of the sea.

Two vessels collided in waters off the Johor Port in Pasir Gudang last night. The collision caused the Wan Hai vessel to suffer a power failure and go out of control, hitting APL Denver’s starboard tank No 6, resulting in a spillage of 300 tonnes of oil.

“We have sent a team to check on the contamination and we are going to have a meeting this evening to activate the operation to contain the oil spill,” Ayub said.

He said the department was still calculating the extent of the area affected by the oil spill.

“We know that it has already reached Pulau Ubin in Singapore. We have informed the Singapore Port Authority of our operation to contain the oil spill.”

Ayub said the contamination would have an adverse effect on nearby wildlife and habitats.

“It will also affect the mangroves. Our concern right now is to contain the oil spill from spreading,” he said.

According to the WildSingapore website, Pulau Ubin is an island off eastern Singapore and is considered the last “kampung” (village) in Singapore.

Environmentalist Andrew Sebastian said the island was a treasure trove for birdwatchers.

He said the oil spill could affect the food source for the wildlife and fisheries in the area.

“But the good thing is that the Singapore Port Authority and Johor Port Authority have acted swiftly to tackle the oil spill. I hope we have enough resources to deal with the oil spill.”