Sulfuric Acid Release Closes Slip

The U.S. Coast Guard announced that a December 27 release of sulfuric acid into the waters at BWC Terminals in Houston (formerly known as Black Water Contanda Port) temporarily shut down the use of a port slip before it was resolved.

At approximately 2 a.m. local time, there was a sulfuric acid release at Black Water Contanda Jacinto Port. The moment was initially unknown, but the Coast Guard said there was “the potential for a couple thousand gallons.” The material falls under the “I” for irritant category on the respiratory irritant scale, which signifies substances damaging the airways by causing inflammation, triggering cough and sneeze reflexes or leading to symptoms like wheezing, congestion or shortness of breath, affecting the nose, throat and lungs.

Based on a plume diagram prediction from the National Weather Service, with the winds being out of the southwest, the plume was headed for Carpenters Bayou, Old River and San Jacinto River.

Vessel Traffic Service Houston-Galveston recommended keeping all crew members inside near the affected area temporarily. Following the release, VTS restricted vessel transits into the Jacinto Port Slip. The restriction was rescinded by December 29, according to VTS Houston-Galveston.