Port of New Orleans buoyed by breakbulk imports

Port of New Orleans buoyed by breakbulk imports    The Port of New Orleans said increased breakbulk cargo imports helped its general cargo volume rise 20.7 percent in 2006 to 9.38 million short tons.
   The Louisiana port said breakbulk cargo imports, such as steel, natural rubber and coffee, were up 37 percent, with steel imports alone up 28 percent to 4.15 million short tons, securing a top-three ranking nationally with a 15.5 percent market share.
   The breakbulk increase helped to offset a 14 percent decline in container cargo, largely due to the loss of the France Road container terminal following Hurricane Katrina.
   For the Port of New Orleans’ fiscal year 2006, which covers July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006 and includes the storm-affected months, operating revenue totaled $38.87 million, or about 86 percent of pre-Katrina figures.
   “The port’s recovery from the unprecedented events of 2005 has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Gary LaGrange, president and chief executive officer of the Port of New Orleans. “The entire port community, from longshoremen and stevedores to the shipping lines and Port staff are to be congratulated.
   “While these figures are encouraging, we still have a long road ahead of us to fully recover and continue to grow to meet our customer’s demands,” LaGrange said. “We must replace our container capacity lost at France Road and recreate it on the Mississippi River.”