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Concerns about Tropical Storm Beryl, which is expected to regain strength as a Category 1 hurricane as it hits the Texas coast, prompted authorities on Sunday to close or restrict ship traffic at key ports.
The port of Corpus Christi, the The largest U.S. crude oil export hub was closed after a Coast Guard captain imposed a “Zulu” status on Sunday. No vessel is allowed to enter, transit or remain without the captain’s permission.
The closures could temporarily halt crude exports, shipments of oil to refineries and motor fuel from those plants, Reuters reported on Sunday.
The ports of Houston, Galveston, Freeport and Texas City were placed under “Yankee” condition, with all incoming ship traffic suspended.
Beryl had strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane as it battered the Caribbean. Jamaica, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines were among the islands in the path of the deadly storm.