Port of New Orleans says customers returning

Port of New Orleans says customers returning    Officials from the Port of New Orleans say customers are showing strong support for the port and that more breakbulk and containerized cargo will be handled this week.
   'The response from our customers has been overwhelming,' said Gary LaGrange, the port's president and chief executive. 'It is great to see ships and barges coming back to our terminals and our valued customers coming forward to help energize port activities.'
   The port's upriver facilities, which include the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal, Nashville Avenue Complex, Louisiana Avenue Complex, First Street Wharf and the Alabo Street Wharf, are in reasonably good shape, LaGrange added, noting there was wind damage but not flood damage at those facilities.
   The upriver terminals handle about 70 percent of the port's business. Three of the four gantry cranes are operational at the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal and the Nashville Avenue Complex. The crane that is not working should be repaired by Sept. 25, officials said.
   This week, cargoes expected at the port include steel coil and wire rods, aluminum T-bars and containers. A container ship operated by Mediterranean Shipping Co. is scheduled for Wednesday.