Calcasieu Ship Channel Open as Cleanup Continues

Merchant vessels are now able to use the Calcasieu Ship Channel for the first time since a massive spill forced its closure over one week ago. The cleanup of the massive spill, totaling about 37,000 barrels thus far, is continuing. The spill forced the closure of the ship channel and several other waterways last week. At least four refineries experienced supply issues in the wake of the spill, which occurred when the CITGO refinery's waste water storage tank area and dikes were overwhelmed by the rain and flooding, some of which eventually spilled into the ship channel.

A joint press release from the U.S. Coast guard and CITGO reported that rains had delayed clean up crews working in the Calcasieu Ship Channel. Coast Guard Marine Safety personnel also reported that although clean up crews were temporarily forced out of the water for safety reasons, the rain was actually helping with the cleanup operation.

A test performed by the U.S. Coast Guard involving a loaded tank barge did not result in any disturbance to the spill cleanup, so the Coast Guard began allowing a limited number of ships to use the channel to head out into the Gulf, though during daylight hours only, he said. The channel was later opened to traffic in both directions, but at slow speeds only.

The Coast Guard and the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are investigating the spill, which according to the Louisiana DEQ is among the five worst in state history, according to DEQ. As MarEx goes on-line with this piece, all commercial docks have been cleared by the U.S. Coast to receive marine traffic. Response personnel were continuing air monitoring and site safety inspections.