Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) is warning that as a result of heavy silt deposits in the Mississippi River Delta caused by recent high upstream river levels, the maximum recommended draft for vessels using the Southwest Pass has been reduced from 47 to 45 feet.
The Southwest Pass is the primary shipping channel on the Mississippi River, with a wide variety of cargoes entering and leaving the Mississippi River. It is the only channel that can be used by deep draft vessels.
The guidance, issued by the Louisiana Maritime Association, is effective immediately. ISS local representatives, based in New Orleans, advise that the draft reduction is likely to remain in place for several weeks, ahead of any potential dredging activity by U.S. authorities and may be increased or decreased at any time as conditions warrant.
ISS and other agents are working with the BAR Pilots in respect of vessels already in transit and loaded above 45 feet, or currently loading to 47 feet. Agents are scheduling pilots for those vessels at a draft above 45 feet ensuring they sail as close to high tide as possible, and to avoid having the vessel going to anchorage.
ISS New Orleans will continue to monitor developments and keep its clients updated.
About Inchcape Shipping Services
Inchcape Shipping Services is the world’s leading maritime and cargo services provider. With some 300 proprietary offices in 69 countries, and a workforce of over 4,000 the company’s diverse global customer base now includes owners and charterers in the oil, cruise, container and bulk commodity sectors as well as naval, government and inter-governmental organisations.
ISS provides landside commercial and humanitarian logistics, transit, offshore support, informational and other associated maritime services. The company also provides a growing range of outsourcing services including global crew and marine spares logistics; port hub agency management; and sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning solutions through its subsidiary ShipNet.
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