In a statement the US Coast Guard (USCG) noted that traffic was allowed to resume after the 45,000-dwt chemical tanker Carla Maersk (built 1999) was towed to the Barbour’s Cut turning Basin.
“Responders finished removing the liquid cargo from the ship’s two breached tanks early Thursday morning,” the organisation continued.
“The partial removal of cargo, Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether, was a necessary step before the ship could be moved to a safe harbor.
“Plans also included checking the structural integrity of the vessel before moving it to another location.”
The USCG pointed out that high-density foam was used to suppress flammable vapors from the damaged tanks on board the Carla Maersk.
It said “extensive air monitoring” around the vessel indicated there were no signs of seeping vapors, adding: “Responders continue to conduct air and water tests, which show no public health or environmental concerns.”
The USCG described the damage to the Carla Maersk as “significant” and noted the cause of the incident remains under investigation.
As we reported, the Carla Maersk and 57,100-dwt bulker Conti Peridot (built 2011) collided earlier this week, which led to closures along key stretches of the Houston Ship Channel.
Before traffic resumed, sources say a queue of 90 vessels were waiting to transit the channel. Today, the West Gulf Maritime Association told members that 47 arrivals and 43 departures were pending as of this morning.
