Sept 11 (Reuters) - United Parcel Service ( UPS ) said

on Wednesday its pickup and delivery services in the southern

part of the U.S., especially Louisiana, may be impacted due to

Hurricane Francine.

The parcel delivery giant said it is trying to resume

services in the affected areas as soon as possible.

"Contingency plans are in place to help ensure that

shipments arrive at their final destinations as quickly as

possible," it said.

Hurricane Francine has intensified into a Category 2

hurricane on Wednesday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said,

claiming the hurricane was about 100 miles (160 km)

west-southwest of New Orleans, Louisiana.

UPS rival FedEx ( FDX ) had previously followed suit saying

its services could be disrupted in some markets of Louisiana,

adding that its customers in New Orleans and Lafayette could see

their services impacted too.