Houston Ship Channel reopened after benzene spill

The Houston Ship Channel was reopened between the Lynchburg Ferry Crossing and Carpenters Bayou at 2:40 p.m. after a benzene spill on the tanker Maritime Jingan's deck, the USCG said in a news release.

Previous report said Coast Guard and Harris County Hazardous Material Response Team were responding to about 500 gallons of benzene that released on the tanker Maritime Jingan while moored at Vopak Terminal Thursday afternoon.

At approximately 12 p.m., Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a call from Vopak Terminal personnel that benzene had been spilled on the Maritime Jingan and that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department had also been notified.

The Vessel Traffic Service issued a closure of the Houston Ship Channel between the Lynchburg Ferry Crossing and Carpenters Bayou effective at 12:23 p.m.

The leak has been secured and the cause is under investigation, a small portion of the benzene entered the water.