No injuries or pollution reported as tugboats move grounded barge from Tanjong Beach

A container barge ran aground just off Tanjong Beach in Sentosa early Friday morning, June 6, startling beachgoers and disrupting activities—but causing no harm to people or the environment.

Early Morning Disruption at Sentosa

On the morning of June 6, 2025, the Indonesia-flagged container barge Marco Polo 802 grounded just off Tanjong Beach in Sentosa. The incident was captured in a 7.30am video posted by eco-tour operator Kayakasia, which showed the vessel lodged in the coastal shallows, partially blocking the lagoon.

According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the barge remained stable, with no reports of injuries, oil spills, or threats to navigational safety. Tanjong Beach stayed open to the public throughout the event.

Immediate Response from Authorities

The MPA quickly dispatched tugboats to tow the grounded vessel out to sea. By 10.45am, reporters from CNA observed that the barge had been successfully moved further offshore. At around 11.30am, it was about 500 meters from the coast and later confirmed to be towed to an anchorage area for inspection and investigation.

Despite the grounding, no disruption to maritime traffic was reported. MPA stated, “There is no impact to navigational safety,” and emphasized that an investigation into the cause is underway.

Kayak Tour Disrupted, Barriers Damaged

Kayakasia guide Ms. Kong Pei Ling shared that her morning tour group had to reroute to Palawan Beach after discovering the barge blocking their intended launch point. “We couldn’t launch because of the barge,” she said, adding that some of the floating sea barriers had been destroyed by the impact.

In addition to the grounded barge, another tugboat became entangled in the same damaged barrier system, requiring further assistance to be freed.

Floating Barrier Compromised

In a follow-up statement around 12.35pm, the MPA confirmed that a portion of the floating security barriers near the site had been damaged. The Police Coast Guard has since stepped up patrols in the vicinity and is tasked with assessing and repairing the barrier infrastructure.

The Singapore Police and Sentosa Development Corporation are working closely with MPA and other agencies to monitor the situation and minimize any disruption.

Eyewitness Accounts

A beachgoer who identified himself as Melvin said he initially mistook the barge for a misplaced unloading operation. “This is not a place to unload containers,” he said. Only later did he realize that the vessel was likely stranded.

Journalists from The Straits Times on-site at about 10.30am saw three vessels and a tugboat working to shift the barge. This effort was completed by late morning.

Investigations Underway

According to Maersk’s shipping schedule, Marco Polo 802 was due to arrive at a terminal in Singapore at 10am. The timing and position of the grounding raise questions about the vessel’s route and handling.

MPA has launched an investigation to determine what caused the barge to deviate from its intended course and how such incidents can be avoided in the future.

This incident, while not resulting in damage or pollution, highlights the vulnerability of coastal recreation areas like Sentosa to shipping-related disruptions. For both Indonesians navigating regional shipping and Singaporeans relying on maritime safety, the quick response of local authorities demonstrates a robust emergency protocol—but also underscores the need for ongoing vigilance in maritime zones.

Sources: CNA (2025) , Straits Times (2025)

Keywords: Marco Polo 802, Tanjong Beach, Tugboats, MPA Singapore, Floating Barrier Damage, Maritime Incident