Houston Ship Channel Collision
The 182 meter long, 44999 dwt Carla Maersk collided with the 190 meter long, 57001 dwt bulk carrier Conti Peridot in the Houston Ship Channel near Morgan’s Point, Texas. The Carla Maersk was carrying 25,600 mt of methyl tert-butyl ether from Venezuela when it struck by the Conti Peridot carrying a cargo of steel from China. The Carla Maersk sustained damage to three cargo tanks along its port side. Reports state an unknown quantity of MTBE pollution was released from the tanker. The Coast Guard responded and shut the channel between light 86 to Morgan’s Point. No reports of injuries. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Reports state conditions in the area was foggy and light rain.