Commentary

 
The outlook for 2013 is unpredictable, even with the presidential election behind us.
 
In our 2012 outlook, we concluded that despite the global economic “soft patch,” 2012 would bring economic growth and an improvement in the demand for global industrial real estate. We were right.
 
The most important logistics factor for 2013 isn’t what has changed, but what hasn’t: the high cost of fuel.
 
As we enter 2013, we see technology permeating every sector of the economy and all facets of our professional and private lives. Innovative logistics service providers are launching service offerings for transportation planning and execution using next-generation transportation management systems, a trend we expect will gain momentum in 2013.
 
The re-election of Barack Obama, the approach of the fiscal cliff as these words are written and the fate of the global economy will have something to say about the U.S. government and economy, but when all is said and done, regulation will increase, federal expenditures will rise more slowly, more federal employees will retire, and the workload for those left behind will continue to swamp the bureaucracy.
 
Growing pressure on retailers to shift their business models to fulfill last-minute orders, combined with the ongoing increase in e-commerce amid a slow-growing economy, make it critical for companies to have a flexible supply chain that can handle fast shipments seamlessly.
 
Don Ratajczak has a few choice words for supply chain interests worried about the direction of the U.S.
 
The key to a recovering world economy and the health of our industry lies more than ever in the hands of the U.S. this year.
 
2013 marks yet another move forward on the environmental front for the maritime industry, with the implementation of new MARPOL regulations that prohibit the discharge of all garbage into the sea.
 
As we begin 2013, we are again faced with a dominant issue that impacts all of us: the world economy.
 
Strong leadership enables us to face today’s challenges and prepare for the future.
 
In 2007, the last year before the financial crisis, the container industry was at the end of a spectacular multiyear grow
 
The changing and expanding role of the customs broker and the Automated Commercial Environment will be two of the challenges customs broker face in 2013.
 
The largest impacts to the logistics industry in 2013 will focus on how the political parties work together in Washington to provide businesses with a greater level of confidence, and how they govern the country.

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