NEW ORLEANS -- Multiple oil cleanup crews have been called to clean a chemical spill on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, according to a U.S. Coast Guard spokesman. Officials said the cleanup would take days and involve about 200 workers using booms and skimmers to remove the chemicals, reported WDSU-TV in New Orleans.

Fuel spilled into the river Wednesday morning when a ship sliced through a barge. The National Transportation and Safety Board estimated about 375,000 gallons of fuel spilled into the river.

Twenty-nine miles of river remained shut down Wednesday. Officials said the state would supervise the cleanup process.

The barge split in half when it struck the Tintomara, a 600-foot chemical hauler. The Tintomara, a Liberian vessel, contained biodiesel and styrene that a spokesman said did not spill from the double-hulled vessel.

The barge's owner, American Commercial Lines, immediately took responsibility for the spill, which a spokesman said it's obligated to do according to federal law.

Officials said the ships collided around 1:30 a.m. CDT. No injuries were reported.

The strong river current pushed the barge to a spot near New Orleans' convention center. Tugboats were dispatched to keep the broken barge stationary in the river.

Meanwhile, officials moved to protect local water supplies. Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser shut off the intake to the public water supply. St. Bernard Parish switched to its reserve supply, according to Parish President Craig Taffaro. Those living in Algiers, Gretna, St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parish were asked to conserve water.

As of Wednesday morning, the Canal-Algiers, Jackson-Gretna and Chalmette ferries were all out of service.

The riverfront street car was also out of service until further notice, and the Canal Street street car was scheduled to stop its route at Baronne Street all day.