Houston Ship Channel Fully Reopened
The Houston Ship Channel has been fully reopened today following Monday’s ship collision and subsequent salvage operations.
The Houston Ship Channel was reopened Thursday morning after responders completed initial salvage plans on damaged chemical tanker Carla Maersk and moved the vessel to Barbour's Cut turning basin, the Central Texas Coastal Area Committee (CTCAC) reported.
The Carla Maersk incurred significant damage following a collision earlier in the week between it and bulk carrier Conti Peridot.
Responders finished removing the liquid cargo from the ship’s two breached tanks early Thursday morning. 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.
High-density foam was used to suppress flammable vapors from the damaged tanks on the Carla Maersk. Extensive air monitoring around the ship showed no sign of vapors seeping from the vessel.
Air and water tests continue to show no public health or environmental concerns, responders said
The Conti Peridot was moved Tuesday to the Port Authority’s Turning Basin terminal.
"Safety of persons, environment and property continue to remain our highest priorities," said Capt. Brian Penoyer, Captain of the Port and Commander of Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston. "We will continue to keep you informed as efforts progress; and I would like to thank everyone involved with this Unified Command’s response."
The cause of the collision remains under investigation.