Houston Bunker Barge Collision Could Have Been "Major Environmental Incident"

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Monday March 17, 2014

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a collision between a cargo ship and a fuel barge in the Houston Ship Channel Friday that might have resulted in a "major environmental incident," the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Kirby Inland Marine barge was transporting 840,000 gallons of #6 fuel oil when it collided with the Genius Star VII.

The accident opened a 30-foot gash in the cargo ship's hull, spilling bags of rice, but the barge was only slightly damaged and did not leak any oil.

The incident occurred near one of the busiest shipping intersections in the country, where the channel meets the Intercoastal Waterway, Texas City Ship Channel and Galveston Ship Channel.

No one was hurt in the collision, and traffic was not disrupted, with both vessels able to move up the channel for repairs under their own power.

As shale oil development expands in Texas, activity by oil companies on the Houston Ship Channel is on the rise.