Florida storm closes ports, alters shipping services

Florida storm closes ports, alters shipping services The U.S. Coast Guard Tuesday ordered shutdown of vessel operations at around the ports of Miami, Miami River, Port Everglades, and Port of Palm Beach as a precaution against Tropical Storm Ernesto.
   The Coast Guard issued 'Condition Zulu' 12-hour alert Tuesday morning. The storm was in the Florida Straits Tuesday morning and weather forecasters said it could turn into a hurricane by the time it reached Florida late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.
      In preparation for a possible hurricane, South Florida shipping companies are closing some facilities and altering vessel sailing schedules Tuesday and waiting to see if additional action will be needed Wednesday or beyond.
   With Tropical Storm Ernesto moving into the, Caribbean specialty carriers were closing offices in Miami and Port Everglades to focus on storm preparations, and the U.S. Coast Guard issued a warning to boaters, but had not yet closed the ports to vessel traffic.
   Tropical Shipping said it closed its Miami and Rivera Beach receiving locations at 4 p.m. Monday to allow employees to focus on storm preparations. It also closed its receiving location at Port Everglades for its Thompson Line subsidiary Monday afternoon. Tropical said it would close its Port of Palm Beach office at noon Tuesday.
   Miami-based Seaboard Marine also closed its offices Monday afternoon, said it would remain closed Tuesday, and would make a decision on operations Wednesday when it saw the impact of the storm.