Texas ports, pilots suspend some operations as winter storm hits

By Arathy Somasekhar

(Reuters) - Texas ports and pilots, who assist in moving vessels around ports, suspended some operations on Monday as frigid weather conditions hit the state.

All of Port Houston's eight public facilities will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, the port said, adding that vessel operations were suspended on Monday and container terminal truck gates were closed from Monday evening.

The Brazos Santiago Pilots, who help move ships to the Port of Brownsville and Port Isabel in Texas, were scheduled to halt ship movements just before midnight on Monday as offshore conditions worsened, according to a notice from a shipping agent.

The Lake Charles Pilots said they halted operations on Monday evening and will reassess conditions on Wednesday for resumption.



The Brazos Santiago did not immediately reply to Reuters request for comment.

A winter storm warning is in effect from Monday evening until Tuesday evening for parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast, according to the National Weather Service, with as much as 4 inches to 6 inches of snow anticipated around the Houston area.

Source: Investing.com