Houston Ship Channel Closed to Inbound Traffic as Gustav Nears

By Andres R. Martinez

Sept. 1 (Bloomberg) -- The Houston Ship Channel, which serves the largest U.S. petroleum port, was shut to inbound traffic as Hurricane Gustav pounded the Gulf Coast.

Ships and tankers already in the port may leave if they wish, said Albert Hernandez, the watch supervisor for the U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service. The captain of the port does not expect to close the channel to outbound traffic unless conditions change, Hernandez said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Andres R. Martinez in Mexico City at amartinez28@bloomberg.net