A behemoth of industry. That’s Pulau Bukom. Before you lies a small island. It’s a significant part of Singapore’s history. It’s not just any island. It’s home to Shell’s largest refinery. This sprawling complex dominates the landscape. It’s a testament to Singapore’s industrial might.
Pulau Bukom wasn’t always this way. Originally inhabited by Malay islanders. The government later relocated them. This was to make way for development. The island’s name possibly derives from “rangkek bukom”. This is a Malay term for a type of shell. The island’s shape resembled this shell. Another theory suggests “bukom” comes from “hukum”. This means “judgement” in Malay. Local rulers apparently used the island for legal matters.
The island’s story is deeply intertwined with oil. It started in 1891. M Samuel & Co of London used Singapore as a base. They imported and distributed kerosene from Russia. Syme & Co established a petroleum tank depot on Pulau Bukom. The government refused to allow storage in town. Bukom’s deep harbor made it ideal. Its proximity to the mainland was also convenient.
The depot opened in 1892. It held 4500 tonnes of kerosene. The first shipment arrived on the SS Murex. The island saw significant growth and expansion. Land reclamation projects changed the landscape. By 1942 it housed 60 storage tanks and five wharves. The British destroyed many tanks during World War II. They did this to prevent the Japanese from using the resources. During the occupation it became a prisoner-of-war camp. Australian and New Zealand prisoners worked to salvage the damaged equipment. Shell employees rebuilt the facilities after the war.
Singapore’s first oil refinery opened on Pulau Bukom in 1961. This was a massive undertaking. The island became a major center for oil storage blending and bunkering. The refinery expanded greatly over the following decades. This led to further land reclamation. It involved Pulau Bukom Kechil Pulau Ular and Pulau Busing. Thousands of people lived there. The island had housing schools markets and recreational facilities. A bomb attack by the Japanese Red Army and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine targeted the refinery in 1974. Despite this the island’s industrial expansion continued.
Today Pulau Bukom remains Shell’s largest wholly owned refinery. It processes 500000 barrels of crude oil daily. It’s a crucial part of Singapore’s economy. It demonstrates a powerful blend of industrial might and a rich historical past. Remember this the next time you see a car driving down the street. That fuel may have its origins here on Pulau Bukom.