Fog season begins on US Gulf Coast, bunker disruptions expected

The US Coast Guard warns that patchy fog could cut visibility on the lower Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay this week, mostly in the early mornings.

IMAGE: A container ship setting sail from the Port of Houston at Morgan's Point. Getty Images

The Coast Guard advised mariners to factor in the risk of reduced visibility when planning transits and before setting off.

"We will be seeing rough weather here on. Intermittent suspensions or port closures across the Gulf are expected during heavy fog," a trader told ENGINE.

This is expected to disrupt bunker operations over the next few months, the trader added.

The US National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory for parts of southeast Texas on Monday morning and expected patchy fog to drift over the bays and beaches.

Last December, heavy fog lingered over Houston for up to 1-2 weeks. Traffic through the Houston Ship Channel was suspended frequently, leading to congestion and significant backlogs.

In January, some suppliers stopped offering guaranteed delivery dates. One advised buyers to take deliveries inbound at Bolivar Roads, warning that outbound operations at the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) could prove difficult.

This winter, the fog will overlap with night-time channel closures for construction of a new bridge at Beltway 8, due to start in late December.

Ships will not be allowed to pass beneath the bridge every other night from 1800 to 0400 hours (local time) for 4-5 months. Closures may run on several nights in a row if prolonged fog is forecast, a ship agency said.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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