In January, Hong Kong-based SVA (Steve Vickers and Associates) issues its annual Asia Risk Assessment which handicaps the comparative political and economic risks for each nation or territory in the region.

As early winter’s deepest freeze in many years hampered normal shipping operations on the St. Lawrence River, the Port of Montreal announced record performances in 2017 total and container cargo. The occasion was the special annual ceremony on Jan. 3 honouring the captain of the first ocean-going vessel to reach the port in the new year.

Realizing the importance of protecting trade with Egypt, Pharaoh Ramses the Third built a shimmering port made of coral from the Red Sea. It stood on the island of Suakin in what is now Sudan. For 3,000 years, this port city was a powerful center of trade, welcoming Christians and Muslims alike. Ptolemy called it the “Port of Good Hope.”

In recent years, a global reorientation of global trade towards the East, aided by developments under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, has reshaped the port infrastructure landscape. Even as port operators look to adjust to changing economic trends, geopolitical imperatives, demographic shifts and technological innovation, opportunities are ripe for companies who can position themselves to take advantage of the challenges.

China is top of mind for the AAFA’s counterfeiting concerns, even as communication between the Chinese government and U.S. footwear and apparel players has improved in the last year. Even so, “we continue to see a growth in the number of products and brands that are being counterfeited,” said a recent AAFA report.

In a striking move, the Quebec Port Authority has announced plans to build a container terminal at the site of the Beauport 2020 project to significantly boost its role as a key gateway in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence corridor.

As we spin towards the third decade or the Neo-Millennium as I call it; logistics professionals will see changes to the face of transportation un-conceived of 20 years ago. The way we physically handle cargo will go hand in hand with technology to further guide freight movement.

The International Trade Education Programs (ITEP), a Southern California non-profit organization, connects California high school students with careers in the maritime, transportation and energy industries in collaboration with the Port of Los Angeles, Pasha Stevedoring, Tesoro, APM Terminals, BNSF Railway, ILWU, the Los Angeles Transportation Club, Metropolitan Stevedore Company, Franco Trucking, Yusen Logistics, Phillips 66, Ports America, Valero Energy, Los Angeles Community College District, Los Angeles Unified School District and many others .

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are upon us, but in the retail world, a season forgiving it’s not.

The new cold storage facility was developed as part of a pubic-private partnership, the first of its kind for the state-owned and operated port.