Houston Shipping Routes Remain Closed Due to Oil Spill

MARINE POLLUTION
MAJOR OIL SPILL
.

The Houston Ship Channel remained closed on Sunday after a collision between an oil barge and a cargo ship, spilling about 640,000 liters (4,000 barrels) of heavy fuel oil.

The channel allows ships to sail from the Gulf Coast to inland terminals, accounting for up to 15 percent of crude delivery to the U.S. refineries.

Major oil spill  in the Houston Ship Channel March 22, 2014. Source: U.S. Coast Guard handout/via Reuters.

“A local official said the channel was expected to be shut well into Monday. The official asked not to be identified as the information had not yet been made public,” Reuters reported.

By late Sunday, nearly 90 ships were waiting either to depart or to enter the port of Houston and/or Texas City, said the report.

Among the ships affected by the channel closure was the cruise ship Carnival Magic.

Houston Related Links

• Hundreds of Children Hospitalized in Houston due to RSV January 10, 2014
• Global Disasters/ Significant Events – Nov. 22, 2013 November 22, 2013
• Severe Flooding Plagues Parts of Houston April 28, 2013
• Houston: A Nightmare of Lights  March 22, 2010
• Texas is Fracked ! August 19, 2013