The US Coast Guard closed a 16-kilometre stretch of the Mississippi River due to an oil spill from the Pac Antares.
An oil spill forced the closure of part of the Mississippi River. (Reuters pic)
HOUSTON: The United States Coast Guard said on Thursday it had shut a 16-kilometre stretch of the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans after a vessel spilled oil into the river.
New Orleans, which sits near the mouth of the Mississippi, is an important transit point for energy, metals and agriculture commodities moving to overseas and domestic markets. Vessel traffic was halted between mile markers 91 and 101, the Coast Guard said.
No injuries were reported.
The closing stalled 12 commercial vessels on the river, according to Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Third Class Travis Magee. It was unclear when that stretch of the waterway would be reopened, he said.
The Pac Antares, which was carrying silicon manganese, hit a pier, causing the vessel’s diesel fuel to spill, a Coast Guard spokeswoman said. Authorities earlier had warned of strong river currents in the area due to spring snow melt.
Federal and state authorities were responding to the spill. The Pac Antares was moored at Nashville Avenue Wharf in New Orleans and the leak has been plugged, the maritime military service said.
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Sumber Coast Guard shuts part of Mississippi River after oil spill near New Orleans