Hurricane Ida – Impact on Shipping *Update*

Below is a summary of the current situation:

Navigation

• As of 23:32 CDT, September 3rd, the Captain of the Port New Orleans set the port condition to NORMAL.
• The River is now re-opened over its entire length to Baton Rouge.
• Mile 105 – Mile 108: Safety Zone is now rescinded.
• Mile 108 – Mile 167.5: Slow speed restrictions in place when passing salvage operations.
• Deep draft vessels remain limited to daylight only.
• VTS capabilities are still limited.
• Pilots are bringing vessels in and out of the River. Anchorages between New Orleans and Boothville are filling up fast.

Further information can be found in USCG MSIB 063.

General Information

• Launch operations are running.
• Some areas have had power restored. Full power to all areas may not be restored until the end of September.
• In New Orleans, the mayor has mandated a curfew for all residents from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m; Emergency and relief workers in New Orleans and the Parish of Orleans are exempt from the curfew.
• In surrounding areas, curfews are mandated between midnight and 5 a.m.
• Most private terminals are without power and still assessing damages. Some terminals are operating on generators.
• Port of New Orleans and the Port of Greater Baton Rouge are without major damages and partially reopened.
• Other functional terminal areas include Panama City, Biloxi, Mobile, Pascagoula, Bienville, Beaumont, Cameron, Lake Charles, Port Arthur, Sabine, Port Allen, Baton Rouge, Plaquemines, St Bernard, Berwick, Port Allen and New Iberia.
• The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) remains shut.
• Port Fourchon and the Port of Houma reopen with restrictions.
• Oil terminals including Valero St. Charles, Shell Norco, Marathon Garyville and Exxon Baton Rouge refineries remain restricted from oil and products supplies from the south via ship and barge, respectively.
• A growing bottleneck of tankers waiting to discharge crude imports for refineries in Louisiana or to load refined products for exports has been growing around the ports.
• There are still widespread Petrol/Gas outages limiting the range of port employees, surveyors, etc.

Update as at 02 September 2021

New Orleans and surroundings areas have been left to recover from the effects of Hurricane Ida which hit the area over the weekend. The direct path of the Hurricane was 50 miles to the West of New Orleans which meant that this area avoided the most severe effects of the Hurricane.

Despite this, New Orleans and the Mississippi have suffered significant damage which will have a considerable impact on shipping.

Navigation

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) have issued Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) 061 with an update on current situation which includes:

Effective September 1, 2021 at 1500, the Captain of the Port (COTP) New Orleans has set port condition NORMAL. Vessel movement and cargo operations are authorized within the COTP New Orleans Zone.

The following waterway closures and/or restrictions remain in effect:

• A Temporary Safety Zone from MM 105 – 108 Ahead of Passes, Lower Mississippi River (LMR) is in effect PROHIBITING ALL vessel operations to ensure safety of persons and vessels from the hazards associated with the downed electrical transmission lines posing a threat of electrical shock or fouling.
• LMR from MM 108 – 167.5 AHP remains closed to all vessel traffic. Vessels desiring a waiver to transit this area should contact vessel waiver manager at (505) 818-9814.
• GIWW from the West Closure Complex to MM 20 west of Harvey Locks.
• Deep Draft vessels operating on the LMR are restricted to day light transit only.

Although waterways are open to traffic, shoaling, storm debris, and other hazards may still exist. Mariners must be mindful of their vessel wake, as flooding conditions may exist in many communities near waterways. Aids to Navigation may also be damaged or missing. Mariners transiting the area should use caution, and report any Aids to Navigation damage, obstructions, and/or other waterways issues to Sector New Orleans Command Center at (504) 365-2209.

Mariners are cautioned to a large field of partially sunken barges along the West descending bank of the LMR at MM 57.5.

A copy of the full MSIB is available here.

Members are advised to check the USCG website for future bulletins.

Stevedores and surveyors

It is anticipated that there will be labor shortages in the coming weeks as many employees of the stevedoring companies and marine terminals will need some time to get their living situation sorted out.

Surveyors are also expected to be in high demand dealing with the numerous vessels and barges that have dragged anchor and run aground.

Shore utilities

All New Orleans and all along the river from the mouth up to Baton Rouge are currently without power.  There has been catastrophic failure of many critical components of the electrical network, which includes one of the main transmission towers succumbing to the wind and falling into the river.  It is expected to take several weeks for power to be restored to all the effected arears.

In addition to a power outage many areas are without running water, functioning sewers, and internet connections. There are also expected to be shortages with fuel and food.

North would like to thank Shuman Consulting Services, Independent Maritime Consulting, Fernandes Maritime Consulting and Murphy Rogers, Sloss, Gambel & Tompkins for providing us with an update on the situation.