Annual Review and Outlook

The economic downturn in recent years has created a “new normal” for operating in our environment, one that continues to call for automation, labor flexibility and responsiveness to rapidl

In this ongoing climate of volatility and economic uncertainty, forging strong relationships is proving to be a major secret to success.

The deployment of more post-Panamax container ships, the expansion of the Panama Canal, and scarce federal resources for deepening projects make it absolutely essential that our nation produces sound

Two trends we expect to continue to impact the industry in 2012 are interrelated and inextricably linked: shrinking availability of capacity and the continued onslaught of regulatory challenges.

The year 2012 might be known as the Year of the Dragon, but it could also be called the Year of the Reset.

In 2012, TransTech expects to see more business leaders use technology to achieve process alignment, reduce cost and gain competitive advantage.

As they navigate through uncertain economic times, seaports worldwide must rededicate themselves to the mission of energizing the economies of the regions they serve.

The most important challenge facing the maritime industry is to maintain our energy, our forward motion and our can-do attitude of years past in the face of continuing economic uncertainty.

Last year was a challenging one for the container shipping industry. The eurozone debt crisis has triggered the prospects for a double-dip recession in the major economies.

Jobs — our country’s priority in 2012 — are also at the top of WCI’s list. It just so happens our nation can create U.S. jobs while at the same time improving U.S.

What is there to be certain or confident about in the coming year?

Last year, I wrote about the importance of maintaining normal labor relations between the International Longshoreman’s Association and industry management in anticipation of new negotiations for

The most important change expected in 2012 by the U.S.

The U.S. export market remained pretty buoyant throughout 2011, making the U.S. Gulf an attractive destination for shipowners compared with other markets.

History repeats itself, as people learn very little lesson from it. The effort that shippers, regulators and carriers undertook in 2010 to facilitate market stability is not working.

Canada’s port authorities showed strong growth in 2010-2011 with several ports handling record volumes.

The US economy in 2011 is no more certain than it was in 2010. The transportation sector in the market is often cited by analysts as an indicator of future economic trends.

The health of the global economy will be the big story in 2012. I believe there is great likelihood the following three events will occur this year:

While we thought 2011 would be a “bridging year” in preparation for major expansion in 2012, we instead saw further upheavals in financial markets that injected the type of uncertainty tha

Have we already forgotten the fundamentals of business process improvement?

Transportation is an asset-based network-operating business. Historically, the industry draws attention to itself when the network experiences disruption because of weather, labor or congestion.

The trucking industry in 2012 will be largely shaped by two primary issues: the worsening shortage of qualified drivers and the outcome of legislative and regulatory policy developments regarding high

I expect 2012 to be a year of even greater recognition by policymakers in Washington of the benefits of the Jones Act.

Consolidation within the container shipping industry has been an inexorable force since the mid-1980s. In 1986, the Top 20 carriers controlled around 35 percent of total industry capacity.

The historic labor activism that marked 2011 will grow and spread in 2012. Corporate America will continue to attack middle--class workers by violating their rights and lowering their wages.

The maritime sector is intimately familiar with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Maritime Administration and the Federal Maritime Commission.

As businesses and global markets slowly pull out of the economic quagmire, gateways to domestic and international trade remain under threat because of insufficient funding levels that support infrastr

Global trade potential is higher today than ever before with the potential of global markets outweighing that of domestic.

How our industry reacts to the global economic climate will determine which companies survive and maintain their profitability.

Last year, I wrote that the addition of international services by domestic ocean carriers and Asia-based shipping lines entering the U.S.

Last year, I predicted the new normalcy of lowered growth expectations we have experienced since the 2008 financial crisis would last through 2011.

This year will be filled with challenges emanating from political, financial and regulatory considerations.

In my view, there are two areas that will determine sustainable, long-term success for 3PLs in 2011: talent development and retention, and pervasive adoption of Lean practices.

While the retail industry has been leading the nation’s shaky economic recovery, many of the same challenges seen in 2011 will be experienced again in 2012, once again impacting the supply chain

The continuing recovery in demand for industrial space, driven in large part by the ongoing rebuilding of customers’ inventories, will be a significant theme for logistics real estate owners and

This is the year when the focus will be on reconfiguring global supply chain ecosystems, in many cases to reduce complexity and address volatility.

Given the current market, we expect freight volume to remain stagnant with consequently weak rate levels.

2012 presents our industry with a plethora of challenges. These opportunities in supply chain and logistics will evolve via a simple, SOCIAL framework, utilizing vested collaboration:

In this period of extreme economic uncertainty, it is difficult to pinpoint one or two changes that can be defined as the most important in 2012.

The key to our economic success and future is job creation.