The U.S. Coast Guard and Texas General Land Office are responding to a fuel oil spill near the Port of Galveston after a vessel struck a pier Tuesday night, prompting a temporary closure of the Galveston Ship Channel.
Cleanup and response efforts are underway, spearheaded by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Texas General Land Office, following an incident Tuesday night in which a vessel collided with a pier near the Port of Galveston, releasing an undetermined quantity of fuel oil into the water.
At approximately 9:50 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston were alerted to a report of fuel oil being discharged after an incident at Pier 32, according to officials. The origin of the spill was contained soon after the event, but teams are continuing to evaluate the volume of oil that has contaminated the water.
The Galveston Ship Channel has been temporarily shut down from Gulf Copper to the Pelican Island Bridge as a safety measure to contain contamination and safeguard surrounding resources. The Coast Guard has deployed personnel and equipment to the area. The Texas General Land Office, along with the vessel's operator, Forestwave Navigation BV, is actively participating in containment and cleanup efforts.
Response teams are actively deploying skimmers and absorbent materials to extract the oil, all while keeping a close watch for any further leaks. Authorities have stated that the assessment of air quality and safety conditions is ongoing. There have been no reports of injuries or effects on wildlife.
“Ensuring the well-being of our community and safeguarding our waterways are our foremost concerns,” the Coast Guard stated on Wednesday. “We are working diligently with our partners to address the spill’s impacts and guarantee the area is secure before reopening the channel.”
The Galveston Ship Channel serves as a vital link for Texas’s energy and shipping sectors, bridging the Gulf of Mexico and the Port of Houston. The temporary shutdown may delay vessel traffic and port operations until cleanup efforts are finalized and safety conditions are confirmed.
The cause of the collision and the total amount of oil released remain under investigation. Officials have announced that they will share further information as the recovery operations progress.
