Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) is advising that the draft for the Southwest Pass on the Mississippi River has been increased from 45 to 47 feet following dredging.
In early August, heavy silt deposits in the Mississippi River Delta caused by recent high upstream river levels reduced the maximum recommended draft for vessels using the pass from 47 to 45 feet.
The Southwest Pass is the primary shipping channel on the Mississippi River, with a wide variety of cargoes entering and leaving the Mississippi River. It is the only channel that can be used by deep draft vessels.
The latest guidance update was issued by the Louisiana Maritime Association (LaMA). The association has also warned that the increase in dredging needed by the previous draft restrictions could impact the country’s dredging budget and result in possible funding shortages in 2016.
ISS New Orleans will continue to monitor developments and keep its clients updated.
About Inchcape Shipping Services
Inchcape Shipping Services is the world’s leading maritime and cargo services provider. With some 300 proprietary offices in 69 countries, and a workforce of over 4, 000 the company’s diverse global customer base now includes owners and charterers in the oil, cruise, container and bulk commodity sectors as well as naval, government and inter-governmental organisations.
ISS provides landside commercial and humanitarian logistics, transit, offshore support, informational and other associated maritime services. The company also provides a growing range of outsourcing services including global crew and marine spares logistics; port hub agency management; and sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning solutions through its subsidiary ShipNet.
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