Ethanol Blog

NEW YORK (DTN) -- The Tampa Port Authority in a news release confirmed Thursday morning that the overnight derailment of an ethanol-laden train at the Port of Tampa prompted the port to close. TPA said the port has since reopened, but traffic delays should be expected for some time.

"Early Thursday morning, at approximately 1 a.m., a CSX ethanol train experienced a derailment of some rail cars in the vicinity of the entrance to Hookers Point in the Port of Tampa," said the agency that operates the port.

"No injuries associated with the incident have been reported. First responders are on the scene. The Port of Tampa has been reopened to all commercial traffic. However, delays should be expected for all traffic in and out of Hookers Point. More information shall be forthcoming."

Earlier, a source said the port reopened within the past hour after being closed overnight following a train derailment.

The train was pulling 15 cars laden with ethanol when it derailed at 1 a.m. EDT.

Some reports said ethanol was spilled from three cars during the incident.

Tampa has become an important hub in recent years for ethanol in the Southeast ethanol market.

George Orwel can be reached at george.orwel@telventdtn.com

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