Lower Mississippi River coal hubs shut by Gustav

HOUSTON, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Large U.S. coal shipment terminals on the Mississippi River south of New Orleans remained shut Wednesday because of Hurricane Gustav, officials said.

The U.S. Coast Guard had the river shut to traffic pending assessment of post-Gustav conditions, but lack of power and the need to return employees evacuated from the area also were issues, officials said.

Spokesmen for U.S. United Bulk Terminal at Davant and Kinder Morgan International Marine Terminal at Myrtle Grove said they would resume full operations as soon as possible. They did not know when.

The terminals receive U.S. coal down the Mississippi and ship it overseas and coastwise to utilities in the United States. They have become more important in a world market that has faced shortages recently.

"As soon as electricity is restored and we have clearance for personnel to return, we will begin to bring operations back on line for purposes of assessing damages and returning to full operation," said Cliff Johnson, spokesman for U.S. United.

"We are doing what we can as far as moving equipment back in, using generators and moving employees back into the area, but we are going to be hindered until power is restored," said Joe Hollier, spokesman for Kinder Morgan. (Reporting by Bruce Nichols; Editing by David Gregorio)