Houston Ship Channel reopens to vessel traffic

Texas task force moved the damaged Maersk tanker out of the port’s navigation channel.    The Houston Ship Channel was reopened Thursday morning after responders completed initial salvage plans on the damaged chemical tanker Carla Maersk and successfully moved the vessel to Barbour’s Cut turning basin, according to the Texas task force leading the oil spill response.
   The Carla Maersk was significantly damaged following a collision earlier this week with the bulk carrier Conti Peridot.
   Responders finished removing the liquid cargo from the ship’s two breached tanks early Thursday morning. The partial removal of the methyl tertiary ether was necessary before the ship could be moved to a safe harbor. High-density foam was used to suppress flammable vapors from the damaged tanks. Extensive air monitoring around the ship showed no sign of vapors seeping from the vessel, the task force said.
   Air and water tests show no public health or environmental concerns, according to officials.
   The Conti Peridot was moved Tuesday to the Houston Port Authority’s Turning Basin terminal.
   The cause of the collision remains under investigation.