Houston Ship Channel reopens after collision

The damaged hull of the Carla Maersk, a chemical tanker, in the Houston Ship Channel on March 11. The damaged hull of the Carla Maersk, a chemical tanker, in the Houston Ship Channel on March 11. Photo: Billy Smith II, Chronicle Photo: Billy Smith II, Chronicle Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close Houston Ship Channel reopens after collision 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

The Houston Ship Channel reopened Thursday morning three days after two ships collided, forcing officials to shut down the waterway as workers moved the damaged vessels.

The tanker Carla Maersk and the Liberian bulk carrier Conti Peridot collided about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday near the community of Morgan's Point on the shores of Galveston Bay, according to the Coast Guard.

The Conti Peridot was moved Tuesday to the Port Authority's Turning Basin terminal. But the chemical-tanker Carla Maersk was significantly damaged and workers could not move it until Thursday morning. Two of the vessel's cargo tanks were ruptured in the collision and crews removed part its cargo of Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether before moving it to the Barbour's Cut turning basin.

Workers will inspect the ship's structural integrity to ensure it is safe and then move it to another location.

High-density foam was used to suppress flammable vapors from the Carla Maersk's damaged tanks. Extensive air monitoring around the ship has showed no signs of vapors seeping from the vessel. Crews are conducting air and water tests, which so far show no public health or environmental concerns.

"Safety of persons, environment and property continue to remain our highest priorities," said Capt. Brian Penoyer, Captain of the Port and Commander of Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston. "We will continue to keep you informed as efforts progress; and I would like to thank everyone involved with this Unified Command's response."

Investigators are trying to determine what led to the collision. No injuries were reported.