Operations halted in Kingston as Hurricane Beryl hits

All port operations and bunkering services in Jamaica’s Kingston have been suspended after Hurricane Beryl, a Category 3 storm, struck this morning.

PHOTO: Kingston Harbour in Jamaica. Getty Image

The port has been evacuated, and supply vessels are returning to base.

Despite a slight weakening, Hurricane Beryl remains a potent threat with dangerous winds of 120 miles/hour, along with storm surges and heavy rainfall.

Mexican authorities have issued warnings that the country could be hit twice in the coming days. Forecasters predict the storm may weaken but will likely remain a hurricane until it makes landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula.

Currently, it remains uncertain how the storm's trajectory will turn out over the weekend. The US National Weather Service has warned that the Gulf Coast beaches may experience rip currents and life-threatening conditions starting late Friday.

Corpus Christi and Corpus Christi Offshore are in the path of the cyclone, which may disrupt bunkering in both ports. GOLA is expected to experience high sea conditions, potentially affecting operations. Based on the current cyclone path, some ports along the US Gulf Coast are unlikely to face disruptions. However, a northward shift in landfall could pose significant problems for Houston, a source says.

Bunkering operations in St. Eustatius, Trinidad, Curacao, Aruba and Puerto Rico are also suspended.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

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