hurricane Katrina translated into a 26 percent decrease in general cargo handled at the Port of New Orleans in 2005, according to Logistics Management.

General cargo includes cargo shipped in containers as well as breakbulk cargo, such as steel and rubber, transported on pallets. General cargo fell from 10.4 million tons in 2004 to 7.6 million tons in 2005, said the port.

The port endured a bleak four-month stretch in the immediate aftermath of Katrina that included a 12-day shutdown, the loss of roughly one-third of its operating capacity and the rerouting of cargo to other ports by several shipping lines.

The port sustained about $100 million in damage during the storm and lost many of the business that operate on the Industrial Canal.

But, business is picking up, say port officials. More than 30 ships are expected to call in the coming week and the number show imports and exports to the port have been on a steady climb since September.