The Port of New Orleans is critically short on truckers. And to attract newcomers, it's offering free housing aboard ships that are docked at the port.

In a press release, Gary LaGrange, the port's CEO, said before Hurricane Katrina, the port saw about a thousand truckers a day. But since many drivers lost their homes or trucks in the storm, that number is now down to about 150.

LaGrange says the shipping companies that are hiring truckers to work at the port are offering what he calls “very competitive packages.” The port's offices were closed for Veteran's Day on Friday. So Land Line was unable to get additional information on what the pay and benefits are – and what the accommodations are like.

LaGrange said in his release that part of the trucker shortage at the port is due to the fact that some drivers left port jobs to join the massive, federal trash-hauling effort that's underway in the city of New Orleans.