On the night of October 28, the 114 meter long, 10049 dwt cargo vessel Industrial Merchant (IMO: 9534470) allided in the Galveston Ship Channel at the port of Galveston, Texas. The Industrial Merchant had struck the pier resulting in hull damage. The extent of damage had not been disclosed, but the cargo vessel fuel tank had been ruptured releasing fuel oil pollution.  The United States Coast Guard responded to the scene. Traffic on the Galveston Ship Channel was halted to prevent further spread of pollution and provide some safety to allow responders to conduct cleanup efforts. The Coast Guard laid out booms to contain the fuel oil spill.  No further details on clean up efforts were disclosed.

Several nearby cruise ships had to delay departures for several days until the Coast Guard completed cleanup.  Authorities stated the source of the oil spill had been secured and the exact amount of fuel oil released is under investigation. No reports of injuries.