Efforts to clear Houston Ship Channel slowed

OREANDA-NEWS. Emergency crews failed to make any overnight progress on a damaged vessel blocking traffic through the Houston Ship Channel.

State and federal agencies working to secure and clear the Carla Maersk had hoped to seal off ruptured storage tanks containing the fuel additive MTBE with foam yesterday afternoon. But agencies deemed the plan insufficient and reworked the response this morning, the joint response center managing the accident said.

Agencies must be careful not to ignite the highly flammable blendstock as they clear the ship.

A bulk carrier collided with the Carla Maersk during foggy conditions near Morgan's Point at 1:41pm ET on 9 March. The impact tore into the chemical tanker and released MTBE. There were 37 inbound vessels and 30 outbound vessels waiting this morning for a safety zone around the accident to lift and traffic to resume.