The slump in commodity prices over the last few months, combined with an economy in China which is leaning towards recession have combined to decrease shipments of manufactured items and raw materials around the globe. World trade volumes increased by only 1.5 percent from September to November compared with the same window in 2015. It's clear that volume growth has been significantly weaker during the current economic expansion than during previous cycles, but it has slowed even more since early 2015.
The refugee crisis in certain European countries is having a significant impact on logistics. Rates have increased and air freight has become a true alternative for many shippers of time-sensitive freight. Because some borders and entry points have been closed over the past month, there have been scores of cargo trucks unable to make deliveries, and forced to wait while congestion and extended security checks take their toll on the transportation infrastructure.
Within days of each other, two Japanese firms have made plays to more firmly establish themselves in the global logistics sector by announcing plans to acquire two logistics giants in the Asia-Pacific region.
