Houston Ship Channel closed to all vessel traffic

The channel was shut amid thick fog and reduced visibility last night local time, at which point there were 15 vessels waiting to pass inbound, eight outbound and four shifting vessels pending, port agent Norton Lilly said.

There is a high threat of fog and reduced visibility in the Galveston and Houston area today and tomorrow morning local time, but conditions are forecast to moderate from tomorrow afternoon and could allow the channel to reopen in one or both directions.

The channel is a critical waterway leading into bunker locations in the area, including Houston, Texas City, Galveston and Baytown.