The Port of New Orleans is booming in business, up 15% in cargo gains for the past six months of 2011 compared to last year. Breakbulk is up 19% while container volumes have increased 15%, according to the Port's press release. The Port is on pace to beat 2010’s record high of 427,000 TEUs (twenty-foot-equivalent-units).

One of the business segments experiencing tremendous growth is imported steel. “Steel tonnage is up nearly 21 percent compared to a year ago,” Port President and CEO Gary LaGrange said. “And all indications point to moderate gains continuing.”

Source: Port of New Orleans