The Louisiana Maritime Association has issued guidance that the maximum recommended draft for vessels on part of the Mississippi River be reduced from 47 feet to 45 feet.
It relates to the Southwest Pass, the primary shipping channel on the river and the only channel that can be used by deep draft vessels.
This recommendation follows observation of heavy silt deposits in the Mississippi River Delta caused by recent high upstream river levels.
The draft restriction is expected to be in place for a number of weeks pending dredging by US authorities.
