Power outage disrupts bunker barge loadings in the Houston area

Houston's port operations partially reopened on Wednesday after being shut down due to Hurricane Beryl, but power outages at several key oil terminals in the Gulf Coast are hindering bunker barges from reloading.

PHOTO: Port of Houston. Getty Image

The BOSTCO oil terminal, located in the Houston Ship Channel area, is still without power. This terminal is essential for bunker suppliers, a source said. Many other terminals are also affected, but specific details have not been confirmed. This power outage at the BOSTCO terminal is impacting one supplier's ability to reload VLSFO, the source added.

In addition, there are restrictions at the Port of Houston. Ships with drafts of up to 35 feet can only access the port, and only during daylight hours. Port authorities have indicated that these restrictions will likely continue until Saturday.

The Port of Freeport is allowing ships with drafts of up to 36 feet to enter, but only during daylight hours.

The ports of Texas City and Galveston reopened to daylight traffic on Wednesday for vessels with a maximum draft of 30 feet. Ships with drafts over 30 feet are currently restricted in both locations.

Because of these restrictions and outages, some fully loaded bunker vessels are unable to depart from terminals, preventing other vessels from loading products.

One bunker supplier said that while its bunker barges are currently fully loaded, it expects resupply delays next week due to ongoing issues at the oil terminals. There will likely be a backlog next week as all the loaded vessels attempt to depart from the terminals, the supplier said.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

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