Collision closes Mississippi River at New Orleans NEW ORLEANS (AP) (wrkf) - A collision between a 600-foot tanker and a tugboat pushing one barge has closed the Mississippi River at New Orleans.

The Coast Guard says no injuries have been reported, but the barge split in half.

Michael Wilson, president of Laurin Maritime (America) Inc. in Houston, says the double-hulled tanker Tintomara is not leaking. He says it was heading downriver with a load of biodiesel and styrene.

Because the river is closed, the Algiers and Chalmette ferries are out of service.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Jaclyn Young does not know what the barge was carrying.

Tugboats are holding the halves of the barge in place.

The Coast Guard is checking for pollution and investigating the accident. © Copyright 2009, wrkf