LOOP shuts operations at Marine Terminal due to storms

The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP), the largest privately owned crude terminal in the United States, on Sunday shut its Marine Terminal operations due to the threat of Tropical Storms Marco and Laura in the Gulf of Mexico.

Clovelly Hub deliveries remain normal, LOOP said on its website, adding it is executing an inclement weather plan.

Marco, which weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday, is set to approach the coast of Louisiana on Monday afternoon, while tropical storm Laura is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by early Tuesday, the U.S. National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said. 

The storms have forced a number of oil producers in the Gulf of Mexico to shut operations and evacuate workers. 

(Reporting by Nakul Iyer in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Chopra) ((nakul.iyer@thomsonreuters.com; Within U.S. +1 646 223 8780, Outside U.S. +91 80 6749 0417; Reuters Messaging: nakul.iyer.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))