According to Reuters, ports along the Texas coastline began to shut down or limit ship traffic in anticipation of Tropical Storm Beryl, projected to regain Category 1 hurricane status before making landfall.
The storm, once a Category 5 hurricane, caused significant devastation throughout the Caribbean, affecting Jamaica, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and bringing heavy rains to northern Venezuela.
The port of Corpus Christi announced its closure following the declaration of “Zulu” condition by the Coast Guard captain on Sunday. This decision restricts all ship movements and cargo operations due to anticipated gale force winds within the next 12 hours.
As informed, located approximately 200 miles (322 km) from Houston, Corpus Christi is the primary hub for crude oil exports in the United States. The closure of the port may temporarily halt the export of crude oil, the delivery of crude oil to refineries, and the distribution of motor fuels from these facilities.
