Lower Mississippi

Barge Allision in Mississippi River Causes Spill

Coast Guard responds to report of crude oil in Mississippi River.   A unified command has been established in response to a report of crude oil in the lower Mississippi River near mile marker 434 in Vicksburg, Miss., Sunday. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River received notification at 1:30 a.m., reporting that two tank barges, towed by the tug Nature's Way Endeavor, allided with the Vicksburg Railroad river bridge.  Both of the tank barges were loaded with crude oil; both of the barges were damaged, and one has released oil into lower Mississippi River.   The actual amount of product released into the lower Mississippi River has not yet been determined.   Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Vicksburg has dispatched a pollution response team to assess the size of the spill and oversee cleanup operations.  The source has been contained and tank levels are being monitored for further leakage. The actual amount of the spill has not yet been determined, but the leaking tank contained approximately 80,000 gallons of light crude oil.   The Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Capt. William Drelling, commander of Sector Lower Mississippi River, has closed a section of the lower Mississippi River to all traffic from mile marker 425 to mile marker 441 near Vicksburg.   The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund has been opened. No injuries were reported.  

Collision on lower Mississippi River

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Press Release stating that on February 10, a towboat pushing seven barges collided with a freighter on the lower Mississippi River near Donaldsonville, Louisiana. The towboat and one barge sank. The crewmembers were rescued. The freighter incurred minor damage. Light pollution has been observed. The incident is under investigation. Source: HK Law

LMRWSAC to Meet in New Orleans

The Lower Mississippi River Waterway Safety Advisory Committee (LMRWSAC), sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, will meet in New Orleans on November 16. Topics on the agenda include navigational safety at the Mississippi River mouth and approaches and an update on local port harbor safety committees. (HK Law)

LEGAL: FMC Investigates Exclusive Tug Agreements

The Federal Maritime Commission, or FMC, is currently making a formal investigation into exclusive tug franchise arrangements in ports in Florida and the lower Mississippi River area. The issue is whether these licenses, with which marine terminal operators grant exclusive towing licenses to certain tug companies, are unreasonably anticompetitive and violate the Shipping Act of 1984. The FMC initially began an inquiry into supposed exclusive franchise agreements involving some tug operators

FMC Denies Motion re Mississippi River Exclusive Tug Franchises

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued an Order denying the request of a marine terminal operator on the lower Mississippi River to require various carriers to furnish copies of charter parties and fixture documentation with respect to the on-going proceeding regarding exclusive tug franchises. Docket No. 01-06 Source: HK Law

Partial Settlement on Exclusive Tug Franchises on Lower Mississippi River

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) released a Settlement Agreement it has entered into with one of the stevedoring companies that was allegedly involved in an improper exclusive tug franchise on the Lower Mississippi River. While not admitting that it violated the Shipping Act of 1984, the stevedore agrees to be cease and desist or modify its exclusive tug practices to the same extent and manner as may be required of the other respondents

Hurricane Rita – New Orleans

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Bulletin stating that the Port of New Orleans has returned to normal conditions in accordance with the Maritime Hurricane Contingency Plan. The Lower Mississippi River is open, but deep draft traffic between the Southwest Pass sea buoy and mile marker 0 is restricted to daylight only. The Inner Harbor Navigation Canal is open, but the channel is restricted in the vicinity of the Florida Avenue Bridge due to salvage operations

Port of Memphis Exercises Security Plans

The Coast Guard, partnered with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies as well as many of the key port players, exercised risk management strategies aimed at protecting the city and the Port of Memphis. The exercise was led by the DHS Protective Security Advisor for the Memphis District, Mr. Greg Innis. The exercise participants included representatives from Coast Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Office of Homeland Security

Gulf Coast Dockside Operations and Assets acquired by Associated Terminals

Associated Terminals recently expanded its stevedoring and material handling operations on the lower Mississippi River with its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Gulf Coast Dockside, Inc., along with a substantial interest in Bulk Material Transfer, Inc. Gulf Coast Dockside is a stevedoring company whose primary operations are located in Chalmette, LA, near milepost 90.5 of the lower Mississippi River

Grounded Tanker Freed in Lower Miss.

According to a report from The Times-Picayune, on June 15, five tugboats freed a tanker carrying oil that had run aground Monday in the lower Mississippi River near Pilottown. The vessel ran aground just above Cubit's Gap, about 10 miles below Venice. It had a 42-foot draft, while restrictions in that area have been set at 43 feet since last week.   Source: The Times-Picayune