For Shippers : Re-Routing Your Ocean Imports to New Orleans

For those of you who had LCL (less than containerload) cargo destined for New Orleans, you should talk to your freight forwarder or logistics provider about re-routing your cargo through Shreveport, LA.

Most of the cargo from the pacific rim passes through the port of Los Angeles where it is then transferred inland via rail to its respective port. After Hurricane Katrina, all cargo that was already on its way to New Orleans was most likely off-loaded in Houston. Cargo that was scheduled to leave Los Angeles was held there.

Check with your service provider on the current status of your cargo. If the cargo is already on hold in Houston, it is possible you can pick it up there, but with all the relief efforts going on as well as a backlog of freight already on hand, you should expect delays in recovering your freight.

Whether your cargo is on hold in Houston or Los Angeles, you should be able to re-route it to Shreveport. However, keep in mind that you will have to pay a good bit extra to get the freight to Shreveport or anywhere that was affected by the Hurricane.

Speak with your logistics provider about re-routing your cargo to Shreveport. If anyone else out there has further advice on re-routing shipments around New Orleans, please speak up.