New Orleans puts out call for drivers

New Orleans puts out call for drivers    The Port of New Orleans is putting out a call for truck drivers to help move the maritime cargo volumes that have returned to the port as it has recovered from the impacts of this year’s hurricane season.
   “Under normal pre-Katrina conditions, the port would have about 1,000 truck drivers hauling 1,500 truck loads on a very busy day. After Katrina, about 150 drivers are estimated to be working in the Port of New Orleans and they are making about 450 truck hauls per day,” a port statement said.
   Port officials noted there was already a nationwide shortage of drivers before Hurricane Katrina hit. Many local drivers lost their homes in the storm and from subsequent flooding when the levy system failed, and relocated to other parts of the country. There has also been pressure on drivers created by high fuel prices.
   Still, the shipping community in New Orleans is seeking to attract drivers, port president and chief executive officer Gary LaGrange said.
   “Many trucking companies are putting together very competitive packages for qualified drivers,” LaGrange said.