Nearly 200 ships, barges stalled in La. due spill

Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:45am EDT

HOUSTON, July 28 (Reuters) - More than 180 ships and barge tows have stacked up awaiting U.S. Coast Guard permission to move after last Wednesday's oil spill in New Orleans, a Coast Guard spokesman said on Monday.

He said 33 deep-draft outbound, 100 deep-draft inbound and 49 tugs and barge tows were awaiting cleanup of the spill or special permission to move, for a total of 182.

As of Monday, 23 had been allowed to move despite the spill, and 45 others were moving to a vessel-cleaning site to await clearance to move, the spokesman said. (Reporting by Bruce Nichols)