The US ports of Houston, Galveston and Corpus Christi have been closed since Tuesday evening due to dense fog, GAC USA informed.
The fog has delayed over 60 vessels at the Houston Ship Channel, which was shut down to all traffic for almost 24 hours, Platts reported citing Houston Pilots Dispatcher Matt Brock.
According to Brock, 30 inbound and 35 outbound ships had been delayed because of the fog.
GAC said that the dense fog was expected to persist until 1100 hours local time on Wednesday, January 21st.
In addition, advisories would be needed beginning Thursday afternoon or Thursday night as seas continue to build and winds shift to the north as a storm system and associated rains along with possible thunderstorms move across the area, GAC explained.
“Some gale force wind gusts could develop late Thursday afternoon through early Friday afternoon. North to northwest winds Friday night and on into Saturday will weaken, and lighter northwest to west winds will prevail over the weekend,” GAC added.
The Houston Ship Channel, part of the Port of Houston, is the conduit for ocean-going vessels between Houston-area terminals and the Gulf of Mexico.
World Maritime News Staff; Image: usace.army.mil