Gulf Coast Ports Struggling to Rebound From Katrina

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ulf Coast ports struggling to recover following Hurricane Katrina are currently handling mostly military vessels bringing relief to the stricken areas in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, the Associated Press reported.

Before the hurricane struck Aug. 29, the ports handled billions of dollars in cargo and shipping activity, mainly through New Orleans, and port and city officials vow the storm-damaged port will rebound once debris is cleared away and electricity restored, AP reported.

Port of New Orleans Chief Executive Officer Gary LaGrange told AP that the port was trying to bring commercial ships back to the port within two weeks and the first commercial ship could be in as soon as Friday.

In New Orleans, crane electronics experts are expected to make repairs soon, but diesel fuel remains scarce, AP reported. Displaced workers also must be brought back.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration is providing several ships with the capacity to temporarily house 1,000 people who will run the port, AP reported.

Mobile, Ala.’s port returned to work Tuesday, handling urgent cargo, including parts for the Hyundai plant in Montgomery, Ala., and coal for utilities, AP reported.

Katrina did extensive damage to the port at Gulfport, Miss., gutting some facilities and wiping out cargo plants handling forest products, aluminum and paper, AP reported.

eanwhile, Steven Haynes, commodity director at the North Carolina Port Authority, told CNBC Wednesday that two ports in that state were bringing in more steel and rubber, with New Orleans’ port down.

He said Morehead City, N.C.’s port will bring in rubber to feed to Midwest tire operations of tire makers such as Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone/Firestone and Cooper Tire.