Top 22 Questions from Real Estate Professionals on Logistics

1. What are some of the current global logistics trends and how do those trends compare to five years ago?
2. What are the driving forces behind the rapid and monumental changes that are occurring in global trade?
3. How does the water depth of a port change its value or standing with ocean carriers and logistics providers?
4. How does water depth and port accessibility impact a port’s standing with ocean carriers and importers/shippers (and their logistics providers)?
5. What new port terminal developments will further impact changes in trade dynamics in the near future?
6. What security requirements are changing the way cargo is managed in today’s global trade environment?
7. How has the development of technological enhancements and devices improved the visibility and predictability of cargo in the trade environment? And, is this new technology universal or port and carrier specific?
8. What are the key factors that must be considered is strategically developing a regional or national distribution model?
9. What are the best methods for determining population reach for a distribution center based on transportation infrastructure, distances and catchment zones?
10. How can proper location of a distribution center save companies thousands of dollars on drayage costs?
11. How can an importer/exporter increase their supply chain velocity, while improving its visibility and security?
12. Where is the strongest transportation and distribution infrastructure “lanes” within the U.S. and how can we maximize these areas to increase supply chain efficiency and velocity?
13. What is driving the phenomenon known as inland port destinations for logistics and distribution?
14. Where are the new U.S. inland port developments occurring today? Why are certain locations and/or cities identified as desirable (in terms of logistics) over other similar locales?
15. What are the advantages to locating distribution centers and warehouses within an intermodal inland port versus a standard distribution center?
16. What is a Foreign Trade Zone?
17. How can a Foreign Trade Zone provide cost-saving benefits to importers?
18. How will new developments in rail infrastructure, partnerships and trends impact global trends and inland port destinations?
19. What key factors must be considered when choosing a distribution hub at a national or regional level?
20. Will the ILWU negotiations for a new labor contract in 2004 cause major re-routing of cargo away from the West Coast Ports, and if so, where are these shippers likely to go?
21. What other “events” in the near future will permanently (or for some time) affect the global supply chain creating new or alternative port growth away from LA/LB?