Ships potentially dragging oil into New Orleans will be cleaned; ship traffic restricted

2 ship cleaning stations established in La.

NEW ORLEANS — Ships entering New Orleans may experience some delays for cleaning.

The oil spill isn’t near the Southwest Pass, which is where ships headed to New Orleans enter the Mississippi River, according to Chris Bonura, spokesman for the Port of New Orleans.

Bonura says there is no reason for ships headed to New Orleans to sail through the spill, since their routes are further out. He says the earliest the oil could hit the pass is Tuesday.

Cleaning stations are set up at Boothville and Venice. Bonura says the ships will be pressure washed, if needed and can file a claim against BP PLC to pay for it.

A statement from the port says ship traffic remains unrestricted on the Lower Mississippi River and its main approach from the Gulf.