Moda resumes loading at Texas crude terminal

Moda Midstream has resumed some loading operations at its crude export terminal in Corpus Christi, Texas, which had been shut since a vessel clipped a structure at the end of a pier last month.

Moda is in the process of repairing the dock infrastructure and "has resumed loading operations at the affected berths on a modified basis," the company said. It will take "several weeks" to complete the repairs necessary to restore loading operations to levels seen before the incident.

The incident on 15 March involved a vessel not related to Moda that had departed from another location in the Port of Corpus Christi. The vessel lost power as it passed near the Moda Ingleside Energy Center, according to a joint statement from Moda and the Port of Corpus Christi.

Despite the damage, March loadings at Moda were similar in volume to February. At least three very large crude carriers (VLCCs), one Suezmax and one Aframax loaded at the terminal in March, according to vessel tracking data. At least two Suezmax sized cargos are expected to load at Moda this week. The VLCCs are only partially loaded because of the depth of the ship channel.

Moda completed a 10mn bl expansion at the crude export terminal last year helping to make Corpus Christi the top US port for exports of crude.

By Eunice Bridges