The Port of New Orleans needs help.

Heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina, the port is currently only operating at 40 percent capacity.

Part of the trouble, according to The Daily Oklahoman, is a shortage of trucks. Most of the trucks in the area are working for FEMA, which means the port and other shipping operations are forced to ship product by rail, which costs more.

The Oklahoman reported FEMA has many of the trucks in the area tied up hauling tons of debris out of New Orleans , which has left the port short handed.

Chris Bonura, spokesman for the Port of New Orleans , told The Oklahoman that part of the problem is FEMA loads pay more and the port just can’t keep up.

“We are really trying to figure out how we can encourage truck drivers to come down here and work,” he said. “We realize we are doing this in the face of a national shortage, but we want to send a nationwide message encouraging people to come and help in the economic recovery.”

Truckers available to haul to and from the port should e-mail jerrol@portno.com or visit portno.com/kattruck.htm.