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Carnival Cruise Lines has dealt a blow to bunker volumes in Mobile, Alabama, with the announcement that it has decided to pull out of the port.

The cruise operator said Carnival Elation would be moved to New Orleans to operate year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises beginning November 5, 2011. On the route, four-day cruises will visit the Mexican island of Cozumel, while five-day voyages will call at both Cozumel and Progreso.

Carnival cited high fuel costs and the inability to raise prices and improve margins as the reason for the decision. The last voyage out of the port of Mobile will be in early October.

Carnival Elation will join the Carnival Conquest in New Orleans, marking the first time Carnival has operated two ships from New Orleans in six years. Carnival will be the only cruise line with two ships based year-round in New Orleans, carrying more than 350,000 passengers annually.

Mobile Mayor Sam Jones said the city plans look for other cruise lines to fill Carnival's spot.