New Orleans survives Gustav

Hurricane Gustav skirted New Orleans on Monday causing a collective sigh of relief that the city would be sparred a repeat of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina three years ago.

Officials are still assessing the damage and worries persist that heavy rains could produce substantial flooding. Baton Rouge and parishes with ports servicing the oil and gas industry took the brunt of Gustav, which landed weaker than expected as a Category 1 hurricane.

Ten vessels sought safe harbor in New Orleans, according to the port authority. Port workers locked down cranes, removed hazards from wharves and secured floating equipment in anticipation of the storm.

Pilot services throughout the Gulf were also shut down. It is not clear when the Coast Guard will allow vessel traffic on the Mississippi River to resume. 

Source: American Shipper