Full port operations resume at New Orleans

   Vessel traffic on the Mississippi River is back to normal following Hurricane Isaac and activity at the Port of New Orleans has intensified in an effort to clear a backlog of cargo after a three-day shutdown.
   Power was restored Saturday evening to the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal, enabling Ports America to begin cargo-lifting operations on two vessels operated by Hapag-Lloyd and Mediterranean Shipping Co., the port authority said.
   Some breakbulk terminal operators began work again on Friday and Saturday, while others will resume a normal schedule on Tuesday following the Labor Day holiday.
   Twenty-three ships – 12 container vessels, nine break-bulk vessels and two cruise ships – are scheduled to arrive at port docks by Tuesday, the port authority said. – Eric Kulisch